Omar Khalid
Plastic is a valuable resource that can be recycled and reused in various ways. However, due to the complexity and variety of plastics, it is challenging to recycle them on a large scale. Many factors need to be considered when recycling plastic, such as the type of plastic, the presence of contaminants, and the availability of recycling programs. To recycle plastic on a mass scale, it is essential to have efficient collection systems, proper sorting mechanisms, and specialized recycling processes for different types of plastic. Additionally, encouraging conscious consumption and reducing plastic waste at the source are crucial steps towards effective mass plastic recycling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recycling programs | REDcycle, Planet Ark's national council database, Clean Ocean Access |
| Recycling methods | Drop-off bins, mailing |
| Recyclable materials | Bubble wrap, chip packets, bread bags, plastic film, plastic bags, bottle lids, aluminium foil, polystyrene, cellophane, plastic wrap, stretch film, packaging poly, roll stock, shrink wrap |
| Non-recyclable materials | Polystyrene, polyethylene foam, black plastic, plastic straws, miniature bottles, utensils and lids, small thin items |
| Tips | Minimize plastic usage, use reusable bags, put dry/clean items directly into the bin, reuse plastic bags, buy from places that offer plastic-free shopping |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling programs for soft plastics
Plastic waste is a significant environmental challenge, and recycling is a critical part of building a more sustainable world. Soft plastics, in particular, can be challenging to recycle due to their low density and flexibility. However, several programs and initiatives are dedicated to recycling soft plastics and preventing them from ending up in landfills or the ocean.
One such program is NexTrex®, which specializes in recycling plastic bags and film packaging. These materials are important for protecting food and merchandise during transit but should not be recycled in most curbside carts or single-stream programs. NexTrex® works with grocers, retailers, and communities to provide specific collection bins for bags and film, ensuring they are recycled separately from other materials. The recycled plastic is then used by Trex® to create eco-friendly outdoor products, such as composite decking.
Another organization, TerraCycle, offers free recycling programs for hard-to-recycle waste, including soft plastics like beauty empties and snack packaging. TerraCycle works with schools, offices, and facilities to collect and recycle various materials, from coffee capsules to regulated waste. They also engage with companies to help make their products more reusable or recyclable and develop custom supply chains to collect and integrate recycled content into their packaging.
In addition to these programs, some local governments and communities have implemented initiatives to recycle soft plastics. For example, some municipalities have designated drop-off locations or collection bins specifically for plastic bags and films, ensuring they are properly recycled and diverted from landfills.
By participating in these recycling programs and supporting companies dedicated to sustainability, individuals and businesses can play a crucial role in reducing soft plastic waste and promoting the reuse of these materials to create a more circular economy.
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Recycling plastic bags and wrappers
Plastic bags and wrappers can be recycled, but they cannot be recycled with other plastics. They are recycled separately from bottles and containers. Plastic bags and wrappers should not be placed in most curbside recycling bins. Instead, they can be recycled at participating retail store recycling bins, such as large supermarkets, which now have collection points for plastic bags and wrappers at the front of their stores.
It is important to ensure that the materials are clean before taking them to the collection point. Any bits of sauce, juice, or other food substances should be rinsed off, and sticky labels or strips of tape should be removed and placed in the normal rubbish bin.
Many forms of bags and wrappers are accepted at these collection points, including soft, flexible, and film-like plastics. Some examples of materials that can be recycled include crisp packets, chocolate and sweet wrappers, yogurt lids, fish and meat wrapping, loo roll wrap and other multipack wrapping, bread bags, netting from fruit and vegetable packaging (after removing any metal clips), supermarket shopping bags, ready meal and punnet film lids, and delivery and dry-cleaning bags.
Some companies that recycle plastic film packaging focus on stretchy bags and wraps made from polyethylene plastic. After collection, the flexible plastic is baled and sold to independent companies, which turn them into tiny plastic pellets. These pellets can be used to create new products such as synthetic lumber for decking or park benches, or they can be recycled into another film, pouch, or bag form.
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Recycling industrial plastic
Industrial plastic waste recycling is an important process that helps businesses adopt more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. It involves collecting, sorting, and reprocessing plastic waste from various industries to reduce their environmental impact and conserve resources.
There are dedicated companies that specialise in industrial plastic recycling services, providing end-to-end solutions for businesses. These companies use industrial-grade machinery to crush, shred, and reprocess plastic waste, ensuring that it can be reused in manufacturing. This recycled plastic is then sold for commercial and industrial use, often at competitive prices, to industries such as injection moulders, film/sheet extruders, and blow moulders.
The process of recycling industrial plastic waste begins with waste audits to understand the composition of the waste and identify opportunities for reduction and recycling. The plastic waste is then prepared, cleaned, and packaged before being recycled. This can involve multiple steps, including crushing, shredding, and reprocessing the plastic into a form that can be used in manufacturing.
Some common types of industrial plastic waste that can be recycled include LDPE shrink wrap, stretch film, packaging poly, plastic crates, pallets, super sacks, and various other plastic scraps. By implementing efficient recycling practices and partnering with dedicated recycling programs, businesses can enhance their sustainability efforts, reduce waste disposal fees, and even receive reimbursements for their recycled materials.
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Recycling plastic from marine applications
Marine plastic waste is a pressing issue that poses challenges in terms of both collection and subsequent recyclability. The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization, is developing and scaling technologies to rid the oceans of plastic. Their dual strategy involves intercepting plastic in rivers to stem the inflow of pollution and cleaning up the plastic that has already accumulated in the ocean. Their goal is to remove 90% of plastic from the ocean by 2040.
The study found that certain properties of the PET material, such as impact strength and transparency, were significantly impaired after weathering. However, other properties like strength and rigidity remained relatively unchanged. This indicates that while recycled marine plastic may not be suitable for all applications, it can still be used to create new plastic products. For instance, Norton Point, a sunglasses company, launched a line of eco-friendly sunglasses made from HDPE plastic recycled from the ocean as part of their "Sea Plastic Differently" campaign.
Additionally, several companies are incorporating recycled ocean plastic into their products. For example, Unifi manufactures yarn from recycled plastic, which has been used in over 2.2 million graduation gowns. Bureo, a sustainable skateboard company, has created skateboards from recycled fishing nets. Clothing company G-Star RAW introduced a clothing line called RAW for the Oceans, featuring garments made partially from ocean plastic. These initiatives demonstrate the potential for recycling plastic from marine sources and highlight the creativity and innovation driving the recycling movement.
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Recycling plastic foam
Plastic foam is technically recyclable, but it is not biodegradable. The three main types of foam used in packaging that can be recycled are expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, polyethylene (PE) foam, and polyurethane (PU) foam. EPS foam, also known as Styrofoam, is used for food and beverage packaging, shipping, and stationery applications. It can be recycled into general-purpose polystyrene to produce synthetic timber, coat hangers, and more. PE foam, being class 4, is 100% recyclable and can be melted down and remolded. PU foam can be recycled into insulation for homes, as well as packaging material.
Despite the recyclability of these materials, the Sierra Club reports that only about 6% of consumer packaging foam is recycled, with the overall rate, including industrial foam recycling, at just 12%. This is a concern as foam packaging will take hundreds, if not thousands of years, to biodegrade in a natural environment.
To recycle plastic foam, you can reach out to local recyclers or recycling programs that specifically accept foam polystyrene food and transport packaging. Additionally, there are recycling machines available that can process foam waste. For example, POLYSTAR offers a cutter compactor integrated plastic recycling machine that can cut, extrude, and pelletize foam materials in one step. These recycled pellets can then be used in production lines or traded in the market.
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Frequently asked questions
Small plastic items like bottle lids can be recycled but might slip through recycling machines, so put them into a larger plastic bottle before adding them to your commingled bin. You can also use services like REDcycle, which takes flexible plastics that can't be put in your kerbside recycling bin and diverts them from landfills.
There are companies that provide industrial plastic recycling services, recycling and processing large quantities of plastics 1-7 from industrial operations.
For plastic wrap, it is important to remove all string, straps, and fasteners (or any non-shrink wrap material) as these items are considered contaminants. The plastic wrap should also be clean of debris, bundled tightly, and tied using an excess strip of the material.
Try to minimise the amount of plastic that you bring into your life. Buy from places that give you the choice to shop plastic-free or to bring your own containers, like farmers' markets and bulk food stores.
