Ethan Clarke
Plastic is a manufactured material made from natural gas, oil, and coal. It is inexpensive, lightweight, and versatile, with many uses, especially in packaging. However, plastic waste is a significant environmental concern, as it can take up to 1000 years to biodegrade and often ends up in landfills and oceans, causing pollution and habitat destruction. While recycling plastic can be challenging due to its complex process and varying types, it is crucial for reducing waste and conserving resources. There are seven different types of plastic commonly used worldwide, each with distinct recycling instructions. Understanding these symbols and proper segregation is essential for effective recycling, ensuring that plastic waste is actually recycled and transformed into new products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of different types of plastics | 7 |
| Plastic types that can be recycled | PET or PETE, HDPE, PP, LDPE |
| Plastic types that are difficult to recycle | PS, PVC, Styrofoam, shrink wrap, manufacturing scrap |
| Plastic types that are not recycled | #3, #4, #6, #7 |
| Plastic types with the strongest domestic recycling markets | #1, #2, #5 |
| Plastic types that are widely collected and recycled from households | #1, #2 |
| Plastic waste that is reused | Plastic bags, plastic wrap |
| Plastic waste that is repurposed | Plastic lumber |
| Plastic waste that is recycled into different products | PET, HDPE |
| Plastic waste that is recycled into the same product | PET |
| Plastic waste that is recycled into different industries | Fashion items, carpets, textiles |
| Plastic waste that is recycled into similar industries | Beverage bottles |
| Plastic recycling rate | 9% |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic types that can be recycled
Plastic is a manufactured material mainly made from natural gas, oil, and coal. It is inexpensive, lightweight, and versatile, with many uses, especially in packaging. However, plastic can take hundreds of years to biodegrade, between 500-1000 years for some types, leading to environmental issues such as pollution and habitat destruction. Therefore, recycling plastic is fundamental to conserving limited natural resources and energy.
There are seven different types of plastic used around the world, and almost all plastic can be recycled in principle. However, in practice, there are various barriers to this process, including economic, environmental, and technical reasons, as well as the difficulty of separating and recycling multiple types of plastic that may be combined in a single product.
Some of the most common types of plastic that can be recycled include:
- PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate): This is the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages due to its low cost, lightweight nature, and ease of recycling. It is used for soft drinks, water, ketchup, and beer bottles, as well as food jars, personal care product bottles, and containers for items like peanut butter, cooking oil, and salad dressing. PET can be recycled into fashion items like polar fleece clothing, backpacks, and carpets, or even into new PET bottles. However, its recycling rates are relatively low, at around 20%.
- HDPE (high-density polyethylene): HDPE is a versatile plastic with a low risk of leaching and is commonly used for milk jugs, juice bottles, detergent and household cleaner bottles, shampoo bottles, trash bags, shopping bags, motor oil bottles, and food tubs. It can be recycled into many types of goods and is accepted by most curbside recycling programs.
- PP (polypropylene): This plastic is strong, lightweight, and resistant to moisture, with a high melting point. It is often used for reusable food containers, especially those filled with hot food. It can also be found in items such as yoghurt containers, syrup bottles, medicine bottles, Tupperware, rope, carpet, packing tape, takeaway food containers, lab equipment, bottle caps, and straws. While PP is one of the most popular plastic packaging materials globally, only about 1-3% is recycled in the US due to the financial and technical challenges of polypropylene recycling.
- PS (polystyrene): PS is often used for disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers, and takeaway food containers, as well as products like Styrofoam. It can sometimes be recycled, but many municipalities do not accept it due to the challenges of processing it.
It is important to note that the presence of a resin code or recycling symbol on a plastic product does not always indicate that it can be recycled. Consumers should refer to specific guidelines provided by their local recycling programs to ensure proper segregation and disposal of different types of plastic.
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Plastic types that cannot be recycled
Plastic is one of the most complex materials to recycle. While almost all plastic can be recycled in principle, in practice, there are several barriers that can undermine this process. For instance, products made from multiple types of plastic or layers of different materials can be challenging and costly to separate, making them difficult to recycle. Additionally, certain types of plastic are not widely recycled due to economical, environmental, and technical limitations.
Plastics are typically categorized into seven types, each with unique characteristics and recyclability. Type 1 and Type 2 plastics are generally accepted in standard recycling bins. However, other types may not be permitted, depending on local guidelines and the capabilities of recycling facilities.
Some specific examples of non-recyclable plastics include:
- Bioplastics: These plastics are often made from biological sources and are designed to be biodegradable. However, they may not be accepted by all recycling programs due to the specific conditions required for their degradation.
- Composite Plastic: Composite plastic is a combination of plastic and other materials, such as fibres or fillers, which can make it challenging to recycle using conventional methods.
- Plastic-coated materials: Items like plastic-coated wrapping paper or cardboard have a thin layer of plastic that is challenging to separate from the base material, making them non-recyclable.
- Thin plastic bags and films: These include items like grocery bags, snack wrappers, cellophane, and cling film. They are often made from low-value plastic resins and can clog recycling machinery if not separated properly. Therefore, they are typically not accepted in kerbside recycling bins.
- Medical and personal hygiene products: Items such as syringes, gloves, tubing, diapers, and feminine hygiene products contain hazardous substances and should be disposed of in the trash.
- Contaminated food containers: Plastic items heavily contaminated with food, such as disposable cups, takeout boxes, and plastic cutlery, are challenging to recycle due to contamination and the use of low-value plastic resins.
- Mixed resin plastics: Products with a "7" resin code are often made from multiple types of plastic that cannot be easily separated or recycled together. This category includes items like Styrofoam, which is challenging to recycle due to its low density and the need for specialized handling.
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Plastic types that are hard to recycle
Plastic is one of the most complex materials to recycle. While in theory, almost all plastic can be recycled, in practice, there are several barriers that can undermine this process.
One of the main challenges is that many plastic products are made from multiple types of plastic and different layers, which are difficult and costly to separate, making them hard to recycle. For example, products with a resin code of 7 are often made from multiple plastic types or other types of plastic that are difficult to recycle.
Another issue is that some types of plastic are not widely accepted by recycling programs or facilities. This includes plastics like thin bags or films, which can clog recycling machines if not separated properly, and are therefore not accepted in many kerbside collections. Similarly, plastic bags can get tangled in recycling equipment, so they are often not accepted in recycling bins, even though they can be reused multiple times before disposal.
Some other examples of hard-to-recycle plastics include Styrofoam, shrink wrap, manufacturing scrap, and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which is used in produce and grocery bags. LDPE can be recycled into bin liners and packaging films, but it is not always accepted by municipalities. Polypropylene (PP), a popular packaging material, is also difficult to recycle due to the financial cost and the challenge of removing the smell of the product it previously contained. Recycled PP often ends up coloured grey or black, making it unsuitable for reuse in packaging.
Additionally, any plastic material with food residues must be washed before it can be recycled. "Dirty" recyclables are often deemed useless and end up in landfills or incinerators, which is harmful to the environment.
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Plastic recycling methods
Plastic recycling is a complex process that is vital for managing waste and creating a more sustainable future. There are two main ways to recycle plastic: mechanical recycling and chemical recycling.
Mechanical recycling is the traditional method that has been used for decades and is responsible for most plastic recycling globally. It involves collecting, sorting, washing, grinding, and melting plastic waste, which is then processed into new products. This method can recover a lot of plastic and give it a second or third life, but it will eventually put an end to the plastic's life when its quality is no longer good enough for another cycle.
Chemical recycling, on the other hand, is a newer technology that breaks down the polymer structure of plastic to form raw materials that can be used to manufacture new products. This process can bring plastic back to its original high-quality state and can handle plastics that may not be suitable for mechanical recycling. There are three chemical recycling processes: pyrolysis, gasification, and depolymerization. Pyrolysis involves heating polymers in the absence of oxygen, causing them to break down into smaller parts that behave like oil. This synthetic oil can then be used as feedstock in the petrochemical industry. Gasification is similar, but the polymers are heated in the presence of oxygen and water, resulting in a mixture of gases called syngas, which can be used as a chemical feedstock. Depolymerization, which is only possible for certain types of plastic, cuts down the polymers into monomers, resulting in a starting material for new plastic production.
Before any type of recycling can occur, plastics must be sorted according to their resin type, either manually or using mechanized automated processes, or even by colour. Some plastics are easier to recycle than others, and certain types, like Styrofoam, shrink wrap, and manufacturing scrap, require specialized handling. Additionally, contamination is a significant issue in the recycling process, as non-recyclable plastics, food residue, chemicals, or adhesives can disrupt the recycling process and send plastics to landfills.
Overall, plastic recycling methods aim to transform waste materials into raw materials that can be processed into new products, contributing to a more sustainable future.
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Benefits of recycling plastic
Plastic can take anywhere from 500 to 1000 years to biodegrade, which means it takes up landfill space and pollutes the environment for a long time. Recycling plastic has many benefits, some of which are listed below:
Conserves Natural Resources and Energy
Recycling plastic reduces the need to extract resources such as timber, water, and minerals for new products. For example, recycling just 10 plastic bottles saves enough energy to power a laptop for more than 25 hours. Recycling one ton of plastic saves 5,774 kWh of energy, which is enough to charge a Tesla battery more than 100 times.
Reduces Landfill Waste and Pollution
Recycling diverts waste away from landfills and incinerators, reducing the harmful effects of pollution and emissions. Recycling plastic helps keep it out of streets, parks, and oceans, and encourages people to see plastic as something useful rather than rubbish, reducing littering and benefiting wildlife and the environment.
Reduces Reliance on Fossil Fuels
Using recycled plastic helps transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Recycling one ton of plastic saves 16.3 barrels of oil.
Creates a Healthier Planet
Recycling plastic creates a healthier planet for ourselves and future generations by reducing the impact of plastic use on the environment.
Provides More Sustainable Choices
Recycling plastic increases the availability of recycled plastic, allowing more businesses to incorporate it into their products, reducing their environmental footprint, and empowering consumers to make more sustainable choices.
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Frequently asked questions
There are seven different types of plastics used around the world, and all of them can be recycled in theory. However, in practice, only a few types are widely collected and recycled.
The most commonly recycled plastics are types 1 and 2. These include PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate), commonly used for beverage bottles, and HDPE (high-density polyethylene), used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles.
Types 3, 4, 6, and 7 plastics are not widely recycled as they are highly toxic and difficult to recover. Type 3 PVC is flexible and used for packaging and cards but is not currently recycled. Type 4 LDPE is used for squeezable tubes and bottles but is not always accepted for recycling. Type 5 PP or polypropylene is widely used for food containers but is not widely recycled due to financial and technical reasons.
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle of arrows. This number corresponds to the type of plastic. Additionally, products with a narrow neck or opening compared to the base, like a milk jug, are more likely to be recycled.
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