Ethan Clarke
Plastic is everywhere, and while almost all plastic can be recycled in principle, in practice, it's not so simple. The plastic recycling process is complicated, and there are many barriers to recycling. These include the difficulty of separating plastics when items are made of multiple types, contamination by food and other substances, and the high costs of building and operating recycling facilities. However, recycling plastic is important as it can help conserve limited natural resources and energy. Before being recycled, plastics are sorted according to their resin type, which is indicated by a number inside a small triangle on the packaging. These numbers range from 1 to 7, with 7 being 'other'. The lower the number, the more likely the plastic is to be easily recyclable. For example, Types 1 and 2 plastics can be tossed into standard recycling bins, while other types may not be permitted depending on local guidelines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Type | PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PS, PVC |
| Plastic Identification | Number between 1 and 7 inside a small triangle |
| Plastic Products | Bottles, containers, bags, toys, trays, furniture, etc. |
| Recyclability | Depends on the type of plastic and local recycling programs |
| Recycling Process | Mechanical, chemical, downcycling |
| Environmental Impact | Reduces landfill waste, conserves natural resources and energy |
| Barriers to Recycling | Multiple types of plastic, food contamination, high costs, lack of awareness |
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What You'll Learn
- Check the plastic's resin code: numbers 1-7 in a small triangle
- HDPE plastics are commonly recycled, e.g. milk jugs, detergent bottles
- PET plastics are widely recycled, e.g. plastic bottles, peanut butter jars
- PP plastics are sometimes recycled, e.g. yoghurt containers, straws
- PVC plastics are rarely recycled, e.g. plastic tubing, kids' toys
Check the plastic's resin code: numbers 1-7 in a small triangle
When identifying recyclable plastics, one of the most important things to look for is the plastics resin code. This is usually indicated by numbers 1-7 in a small triangle, often made of arrows. The presence of a resin code does not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled—it is the number inside the triangle that indicates whether the plastic can be recycled or not. The lower the number, the more likely the plastic is to be easily recyclable.
Number 1 and 2 plastics are considered easily recyclable and can be tossed into standard recycling bins. Type 1 plastics are often used for soda bottles, water bottles, and other drink bottles. They are also used for cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars, and other food containers. Type 2 plastics, or High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), are used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent containers, and cleaning product containers. They are one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and are accepted at most recycling centres worldwide.
Type 3 to 6 plastics are more difficult to recycle, and some recycling centres do not process them. Type 7 plastics are even more challenging to recycle and are often excluded. These plastics are often made of multiple plastic types or other hard-to-recycle plastics.
It is important to note that recycling rules and regulations can vary based on your location, so it is always good to check your local programs to confirm what can be recycled in your area.
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HDPE plastics are commonly recycled, e.g. milk jugs, detergent bottles
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a type of plastic resin commonly used in plastic bottles. It is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide. HDPE is used to make products such as milk jugs, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, and laundry detergent containers. These products are widely recycled and can be placed in standard recycling bins.
HDPE is a safe and fully recyclable plastic. In the UK, for example, HDPE bottles made up almost 50% of the 306,000 tonnes of plastic bottles collected for recycling through local authority schemes in 2011. The recycling rate for HDPE bottles in the US is around 30%.
HDPE can be transparent or pigmented (coloured). It is often downcycled, a process that involves reusing materials for lower-value products, such as plastic lumber, tables, roadside curbs, and benches. However, it can also be recycled into the same form, as seen in the UK, where recycled HDPE milk bottles are used to create new milk bottles, reducing the use of virgin plastics and associated carbon emissions.
To identify if a plastic product is made from HDPE, look for a resin code, usually a number between one and seven inside a small triangle of arrows. This number indicates the type of resin used to produce the plastic. For HDPE, the resin code is typically #2, and these plastics can be safely placed in recycling bins.
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PET plastics are widely recycled, e.g. plastic bottles, peanut butter jars
PET (or PETE) plastics are one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world. PET is a polyester plastic resin, often used for beverage packaging due to its excellent transparency, lightweight nature, gas and water barrier properties, impact strength, UV resistance, and shatter resistance.
PET plastic is commonly used for single-serve beverage bottles, such as water, soda, and other drinks, as well as cooking oil containers and food jars, like peanut butter jars. These containers are usually marked with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows, which helps identify the type of plastic. In the case of PET, it is often labelled with the code on or near the bottom of bottles and other containers.
As PET is widely recycled, many recycling programs accept PET products, and some even focus specifically on collecting and recycling PET plastic bottles. For example, in Massachusetts, the statewide waste ban prohibits the disposal of any single-resin narrow-necked bottles in trash bins, making recycling mandatory. Additionally, major soft drink manufacturers have signed up for voluntary agreements to focus on reducing packaging and its weight, as well as finding opportunities to reduce their carbon impact.
Recycled PET (rPET) can be transformed into flakes, which are then spun into yarn and used for clothing and other textile products. Alternatively, rPET can be recycled into new PET bottles, as it is one of the few polymers that can be recycled into the same form. rPET is also used in construction materials in third-world countries, where plastic bottles are filled with sand, stacked, and cemented together to form walls.
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PP plastics are sometimes recycled, e.g. yoghurt containers, straws
Polypropylene (PP) is a versatile plastic used in a wide range of products, from packaging to textiles and rigid plastics. PP is commonly used for food containers like yoghurt pots, sour cream tubs, margarine tubs, and microwavable containers. It is also used for straws, rope, carpet, and bottle caps.
While PP products can sometimes be recycled, the process is more complex and challenging than with other plastics. The recycling of PP often involves specialised handling and specific steps. Firstly, PP needs to be separated from other plastics and contaminants, which can be done through sink-float separation due to its lower density. The PP is then cleaned to ensure no contaminants affect the recycling process or the quality of the final recycled product. Finally, the separated PP is melted at temperatures of around 205°C to reach its melting point.
Recycling PP is important for protecting the environment, as it is one of the most used types of plastic. Approximately 2.25 billion kilograms of PP plastics are produced annually, and while these plastics are technically recyclable, much of this waste ends up in landfills. PP products are usually marked with a resin code or a number inside a small triangle made of arrows. To identify if a product is made of PP, look for the number 5 or sometimes "PP" below the recycling triangle.
It's important to note that recycling guidelines can vary depending on your municipality, so it's always a good idea to check with your local guidelines or waste management services to understand what specific types of plastics they accept for recycling.
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PVC plastics are rarely recycled, e.g. plastic tubing, kids' toys
Plastic products are usually stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. This number corresponds to a different type of plastic, indicating the type of resin used to produce it. While almost all plastic can be recycled in principle, in practice, there are several barriers that can make this difficult.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a common, soft and flexible plastic used for a wide array of household products, including plastic tubing, kids' toys, plastic trays, and furniture. It is also used for plastic food wrapping and vinyl flooring. However, PVC plastics are rarely recycled due to several reasons. Firstly, PVC products often contain additives like plasticizers, stabilizers, and fillers, which can affect the quality of the recycled material. Secondly, PVC waste is frequently contaminated with other materials, such as adhesives, paints, or metals, requiring extensive cleaning before recycling. Additionally, the chemical composition of PVC makes incineration or landfill disposal dangerous and harmful to the environment. The release of toxic chemicals during the melting process poses risks to both the environment and human health.
PVC recycling is a complex process that involves several steps. The products need to be collected, sorted, shredded, ground, washed, and melted before being re-extruded into granules or pellets for manufacturing new PVC products. While PVC recycling technologies exist, they are often uneconomical due to the high investment required for specialized technology. Furthermore, the presence of multiple types of plastics and different layers in a single product can make separation challenging and costly.
Despite the challenges, some companies have developed innovative technologies to recycle PVC more efficiently and safely. For example, Pretty Plastic has introduced Pretty Plastic Panels made from 100% recycled PVC waste, showcasing the potential of recycled waste in design. Additionally, PVC-waste management methods such as feedstock recycling and energy recovery are being explored for economic and environmental reasons.
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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 indicates the type of resin used to produce the plastic. The lower the number, the more likely the plastic is to be easily recyclable.
PET or PETE is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks. It is the most widely recycled plastic in the world and can be recycled into flakes, which can then be spun as yarn for clothing. HDPE is another plastic that is accepted at most recycling centres and is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. It is used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles.
PVC is a soft, flexible plastic used for household products like plastic tubing, kids' toys, and furniture. Most consumer recyclers will not take PVC products. LDPE is used to make plastic bags, and while some companies are investigating how to recycle them, most plastic bags are currently not recyclable.
Always check your local programs to confirm what is recyclable in your area. Before placing items in the proper bins, understand your town's legislation and rules for recycling. Keep food and liquid out of your recycling, and avoid loose plastic bags and bagged recyclables.
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