Sofia Martinez
Plastic is one of the most popular and useful materials of modern times, with 300 million tonnes produced worldwide each year. However, only a small percentage of plastic is recycled, with the rest being incinerated or sent to landfills. To ensure your plastic containers are properly recycled, it is important to rinse them out and remove any food or liquid residue, as contamination can render an entire batch of recyclables useless. Check the bottom of containers for a number or symbol indicating the type of plastic, as not all plastics are recyclable. Some plastics may need to be composted or taken to designated collection points. By putting in a little extra effort, we can help ensure more of our plastic waste is recycled and reduce the negative impact on the environment.
How to properly recycle plastic containers
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rinse out containers | Remove food and liquid (other than water) before placing in the bin. Leftover food or liquid can contaminate an entire batch of recyclables, making them useless |
| Remove labels | Labels should be removed from containers |
| Check for "crush to conserve" | If the label says "crush to conserve", remove the lid, crush the bottle, and place the lid back on so it can be recycled |
| Check local guidelines | Not all plastics can be recycled. Contact your local recycling company to see which plastics they accept. Many companies provide this information on their website |
| Check the plastic type | Plastic containers have numbers on the bottom that denote the type of plastic. For example, #1 and #2 plastics are almost always recyclable, while #6 plastics are not always accepted |
| Compostable plastic | Compostable plastic must be composted and not recycled. It can contaminate and disrupt the recycling stream if mixed with non-compostable plastics |
| Plastic bags | Plastic bags can be recycled at designated collection points, such as grocery stores |
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What You'll Learn
Rinse out containers and remove labels
Rinsing out plastic containers and removing labels is an important step in the recycling process. It ensures that your plastic waste can be effectively recycled without contaminating other recyclable materials.
Firstly, it is crucial to rinse out any food and liquid residues from your plastic containers. Leftover substances can render an entire batch of recyclables useless, leading to it being sent to a landfill. This is because recycling centres cannot process contaminated materials. Therefore, make sure to give your containers a thorough rinse before placing them in the recycling bin.
Additionally, removing labels is essential. While it may seem tedious, taking the time to peel off labels can make a significant difference in the recycling process. Labels are often made of different materials that may not be recyclable or may require separate recycling streams. By removing them, you ensure that your plastic containers are ready for proper recycling.
It is also worth noting that not all plastics are recyclable. Check the numbers or symbols on the bottom of your containers to identify the type of plastic. For instance, #1 and #2 plastics are typically recyclable, while #6 plastics may not always be accepted. Contact your local recycling company or refer to their website to learn about the specific types of plastic they can process.
Lastly, consider reusing your plastic containers before recycling them. For example, you can use empty containers for storage. Reusing items helps to reduce the demand for new plastics and lessens the environmental impact of producing new materials.
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Learn which plastics are acceptable
It is important to learn which plastics are acceptable for recycling and how to properly prepare them. Not all plastics can be recycled, and if you aren't rinsing out containers and removing labels from those that are, you could contaminate an entire batch of recyclables, making them useless.
Plastics are categorized into seven classes, and the symbols on products indicate resin type, with some representing material that is not recyclable. Plastic containers will typically have numbers on the bottom that denote which kind of plastic it is. For example, #1 and #2 plastics are almost always recyclable, while #6 plastics aren't always accepted.
One of the most common types of plastic is PETE (sometimes referred to as PET), which is widely recycled. PETE is used in products such as water or soft drink bottles. A more rigid type of plastic is used in detergent bottles, food and drink storage, bottle caps, some thicker shopping bags, and non-single-use plastic products like toys, helmets, and piping. This type of plastic is also widely recycled.
PVC is considered one of the most versatile and common plastic types, but it is not commonly recycled due to its toxicity when processed. LDPE is a low-density plastic that is highly resilient and used across various products such as containers, playground fixtures, and plastic trash bags. This resin type is recyclable, but many products, such as plastic bags, are often excluded from recycling programs as they can clog machinery.
PP is another type of plastic that is commonly used in injection molding and found in products from bottle caps to surgical tools and clothing. While PP is recyclable, it is often rejected by processing centers due to the problems it poses, resulting in a lower recycling rate than other plastics.
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Crush plastic bottles
It is important to recycle plastic properly to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills or is incinerated. Plastic can take anywhere from 5 to 600 years to decompose in a landfill, and incinerating plastics produces carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change.
When it comes to crushing plastic bottles for recycling, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, check the label on the bottle to see if it says "crush to conserve". If so, you can remove the lid and crush the bottle by twisting from the top and pressing it down. After crushing, place the lid back on the bottle so that it can be recycled as well. However, some recycling facilities may prefer plastic bottles to be left uncrushed. This is because modern recycling facilities use ballistic separators to separate 3D objects like plastic bottles from flat objects like paper and card, and crushed bottles may end up in the wrong stream. Additionally, disc screens used in recycling facilities can become clogged with plastic bags and films, which can then block bottles and containers from falling through to their own sorting line. Therefore, it is worth checking the guidelines provided by your local recycling program to see if they prefer plastic bottles to be crushed or left whole.
Regardless of whether you crush your plastic bottles or not, it is important to make sure they are empty and clean before placing them in the recycling bin. Rinse out any food or liquid residue (other than water) to avoid contaminating the rest of the batch, which could cause it all to end up in landfill. It is also worth checking the type of plastic your bottle is made from, as not all plastics can be recycled. Most local recycling programs will accept #1 and #2 plastics, while #6 plastics may not always be accepted.
To make it easier to recycle your plastic bottles, you could place small recycling receptacles in different rooms of your house, such as the bathroom and laundry area, so that you don't have to throw them away with your general waste.
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Recycle plastic bags and wraps
Plastic bags and wraps can be recycled, but they are often recycled differently from plastic bottles and containers. Plastic bags and wraps should not go in most curbside recycling bins as they can gum up the works and cause issues with recycling machinery. Instead, they can be recycled at participating retail stores, such as Kroger, Safeway, Target, and Walmart, which often have recycling bins located near the front entrance.
Before recycling plastic bags and wraps, ensure they are clean and dry. Also, check for the plastic resin used. Bags and wraps made from polyethylene plastic, denoted by #2 or #4 symbols, are commonly accepted for recycling. Black plastic bags, however, are harder to recycle due to the dye used, which limits their reprocessing options.
Recycling plastic bags and wraps involves chipping them into pellets, which can then be reprocessed into new products. These pellets are commonly used to create synthetic lumber for decking, park benches, or plastic lumber by companies like Trex.
It is important to note that recycling practices may vary based on your location. Contact your local recycling company or refer to their website to confirm the specific practices and guidelines in your area.
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Reuse plastic items
Reusing plastic items is an effective way to reduce plastic waste and pollution. Single-use plastics, such as straws, bags, cups, and utensils, are a significant environmental problem as they do not biodegrade and can end up in oceans and natural water sources. By reusing plastic items, we can help keep them out of the environment and reduce the need to create new plastic. Here are some ways to reuse plastic items:
Reuse Plastic Containers for Storage
Yogurt containers can be reused as storage for food, stationery, or other small items. Similarly, prescription containers can be used as mini travel containers for items like cotton swabs. Plastic milk cartons can be repurposed for storing pens and pencils, while plastic bags can be reused for traveling or storing dry goods.
Repurpose Plastic Bottles
Plastic bottles can be cut and modified to create vases, planters, pencil cases, or even bird feeders. They can also be used for separating ingredients like egg yolks in recipes. Alternatively, plastic bottles can be transformed into a drip irrigation system for plants by punching holes in the sides and burying them next to the plants.
Reduce Single-Use Plastic Consumption
Instead of using disposable plastic items, opt for reusable alternatives. For example, carry a reusable straw, travel mug, or thermos when dining out or getting a drink. Biodegradable or reusable cutlery made from bamboo is also a more sustainable option than plastic utensils. Reusable bottles, straws, and utensils are available and help reduce the number of single-use plastic items consumed.
Recycle Plastic Items
While not all plastics can be recycled, many can be. Check with your local recycling company or disposal service to see which types of plastic they accept. Rinse out containers and remove labels to ensure they are properly prepared for recycling. By recycling plastic items, we can give them a new lease of life and reduce waste.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic containers will typically have numbers on the bottom that denote which kind of plastic it is. For example, #1 and #2 plastics are almost always recyclable, while #6 plastics aren't always accepted. It's important to check with your local recycling program to find out which types of plastic they accept.
Make sure to rinse out any food and liquids (other than water) from the containers before you can put them in the bin. If the plastic isn't clean, it could contaminate an entire load of plastics, causing the recycling center to send the whole batch to a landfill. Check to see if the bottle says \"crush to conserve\" on the label. If so, remove the lid and crush the bottle, then place the lid back on so it can also be recycled.
Many local authorities offer collection facilities for plastic bottles through household recycling collections or at Recycling Centres. Retail and grocery stores also often accept plastic materials for recycling.
