Alexei Volkov
Plastic waste is a pressing environmental concern, with the vast majority of plastics disposed of in non-eco-friendly ways. Recycling is critical to improving the environment and bettering waste management solutions. However, recycling plastic is a complex process, and not all plastics are recyclable or even reusable. There are seven types of plastic, each with distinct recycling instructions, and they are usually stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. The number inside the triangle is what determines the type of plastic, and different plastics have varying processing needs, such as different melting temperatures.
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What You'll Learn
Resin codes: Numbers 1-7 in a small triangle, with 7 meaning 'other'
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. This code identifies the type of plastic used for the product, and not all plastics are recyclable or reusable. The presence of a resin code does not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled.
Number 1: PET or PETE
PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) is the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages because it is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to recycle. It is found in soft drink, water, ketchup, and beer bottles, as well as mouthwash bottles, peanut butter containers, salad dressing, and vegetable oil containers. PET or PETE products can be recycled but not reused.
Number 2: HDPE
HDPE plastics are extremely common and are used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and cleaning product containers. They are recyclable and reusable.
Number 3: PVC
PVC is a soft, flexible plastic used for a wide range of household products, including clear plastic food wrapping, cooking oil bottles, teething rings, toys, and blister packaging. It is also used as the sheathing material for computer cables, plastic pipes, and garden hoses. PVC products are not recyclable and should not be reused for food or children's applications due to the toxins they contain.
Number 4: LDPE
LDPE is found in shrink wraps, dry cleaner garment bags, squeezable bottles, and plastic bags used for packaging bread and groceries. It is considered less toxic than other plastics but is not commonly recycled, although this is changing.
Number 5: PP
PP, or polypropylene, is used for food containers such as yogurt, sour cream, and margarine, as well as straws, rope, carpet, and bottle caps. It is one of the most popular plastic packaging materials globally, but only a small percentage is recycled, with most ending up in landfills.
Number 6: PS
PS, or polystyrene, can be made into rigid products or foam products, which are popularly known by the trademark Styrofoam. It is commonly used for disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers, and to-go food containers. PS products can sometimes be recycled, but most places do not accept them, especially in foam forms.
Number 7: Other
Products stamped with a 7 are often made of multiple plastic types or other types of plastic that cannot easily be recycled.
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PET/PETE: Used for beverage bottles, peanut butter jars, etc
PET, or PETE, is the plastic type used for beverage bottles, peanut butter jars, and other food containers. It is also known as polyethylene terephthalate and is a widely used polymer in various industries due to its excellent physical and chemical properties. PET is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to recycle, making it the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages. Its recycling rates remain relatively low at around 20%, despite high demand from manufacturers.
PET can be recycled through most curbside recycling programs, as long as it has been emptied and rinsed of any food residue. However, it is important to check local guidelines, as some municipalities may have specific rules regarding plastic recycling. For example, in Massachusetts, the statewide waste ban prohibits the disposal of any single-resin narrow-necked bottles (i.e. soda bottles) in trash bins, making recycling mandatory for these containers.
Once collected, PET bottles are taken to a recycling plant where they are sorted and separated from other recyclable materials. They are then processed and turned into recycled PET (rPET), ready to be reused for packaging. This process can be repeated over and over again, making it ideal for bottle-to-bottle recycling. However, sometimes the quality of the collected plastic may not be high enough for this, in which case the PET is flaked, washed, heated, and stretched into fibre for other uses, such as fabric for clothing or roofing insulation.
While PET is recyclable, improper disposal has caused significant environmental damage, leading to a global waste management crisis. It is important for consumers to understand the value of PET and the need for proper recycling to reduce its impact on the environment.
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HDPE: Used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, etc
HDPE, or High-Density Polyethylene, is a popular plastic type due to its strength, lightweight, and flexibility. It is commonly used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and other containers such as detergent bottles. It is also used for pipes, cans, crates, wheelie bins, and other plastic objects that may be used outdoors. HDPE is valued for its utility in injection moulding, as well as its light weight, making it cheaper and easier to transport.
HDPE is recyclable and can be recycled into new pipes, crates, film, plastic lumber, and even recycling bins. It has a plastic recycling code of 2 and is accepted in most domestic recycling bins. However, it is always good to check with your local authority first. HDPE can be recycled from all its forms, including crates, bottles, tanks, injection, blow mould, and extrusion scrap. The recycling process involves sorting, cleaning, separating, shredding, and melting the plastic to create a refined polymer.
HDPE is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted at most recycling centres in the UK. However, it is important to separate different forms of HDPE, such as film and plastic bags from bottles and thicker products, as they may get caught in the teeth of recycling machinery. Additionally, it is important to ensure that HDPE is free from contamination and that no other polymers are present.
When recycling HDPE, it is also crucial to consider any additives or layers that may have been added to enhance the appearance or processability of the plastic. These additives can impact the recyclability and quality of the final recycled product. Overall, recycling HDPE is important to help protect the planet and reduce waste disposal costs for businesses.
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PVC: Soft, flexible plastic, used for cooking oil bottles, toys, etc
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a soft and flexible plastic. It is used in a wide range of applications due to its durability and flexibility. It is known as "poison plastic" because it contains toxins that can leach into other materials during its life cycle.
PVC is used to make clear plastic food wrapping, cooking oil bottles, teething rings, children's and pet toys, and blister packaging for various consumer products. It is also commonly used as the sheathing material for computer cables, plastic pipes and parts for plumbing, and in garden hoses.
PVC is challenging to recycle because of its toxic nature. It is not accepted by most public recycling centres, and even when it is recycled, it requires virgin material for construction. Less than 1% of PVC material is recycled, and it is often repurposed for flooring, cables, mats, and paneling instead of being recycled.
To identify PVC products, look for the #3 plastic code or check if the product is made from polyvinyl chloride. It is important to note that PVC products should not be reused for food or children's applications due to the potential risk of chemical leaching.
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PP: Used for yoghurt containers, straws, etc
PP, or polypropylene, is denoted by the number 5, which represents its recycling category. It is the second-most produced plastic type globally, with about 45 million tonnes created annually. About 30% of this is used for packaging, while 13% is used in electrical and equipment manufacturing, and 10% in household appliances and the automotive industry. It is a popular material due to its versatility and numerous advantages over other plastic types. For instance, it is highly flexible, elastic, lightweight, and soft.
PP is often used for food and drink packaging, such as yoghurt containers, straws, and bottle caps. It is also used for other packaging types, like tomato sauce bottles, which utilise PP's flexibility in the form of 'living hinges'—the hinges on top of flip-top lids. PP is resistant to heat beyond most kitchen temperatures, making it suitable for food storage and heating. It is also chemically resistant, making it ideal for cosmetics packaging.
However, PP is not widely recycled. Despite being technically recyclable, it often ends up in landfills or is incinerated. This is due to several factors, including the presence of toxic chemical additives and contamination with food waste, which make the recycling process difficult and costly. Additionally, PP is usually collected in bales of mixed plastic, which require sorting to separate the different types of plastic. Only a limited number of facilities accept PP for recycling, and the recycled product is no longer considered 'virgin' or food-grade, limiting its potential uses.
To identify PP plastic, look for the number 5 inside a small triangle made of arrows, known as a resin code. This code indicates the type of plastic and provides specific recycling instructions. While PP can be recycled in some locations, it is important to check your local guidelines, as the recyclability of PP may vary depending on your municipality's capabilities and guidelines.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. The number inside the triangle corresponds to a different type of plastic. For example, PET or PETE (number not specified) is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks. HDPE plastics are used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles.
If there is no number on the plastic product, refer to local guidelines or reach out to your municipality for guidance. Some types of plastic, such as Styrofoam, shrink wrap, and manufacturing scrap, require specialized handling.
The seven plastic recycling symbols represent the seven different types of plastic used worldwide. Understanding these symbols will help you identify which plastics can be recycled. For example, PET or PETE can be recycled and is accepted by most curbside recycling programs. On the other hand, PVC products are not recyclable and should be avoided.
