Chloe Zhang
Plastic clamshells are a popular packaging choice for retailers and the grocery industry due to their lightweight yet durable nature, protecting fragile items like berries, eggs, and salads. However, they are notoriously difficult to recycle and often end up in landfills. While clamshells are technically made from recyclable Polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) plastic, the specific manufacturing process, thermoforming, results in a different grade of PET with distinct characteristics from PET bottles, including varying bulk density, melting point, and the presence of strong adhesives, which make them challenging to process together. Additionally, clamshells are hard to differentiate from other plastics during sorting, and their flat shape can cause issues on conveyor belts. These factors contribute to clamshells being widely considered garbage by recycling facilities, which prefer the more uniform and valuable PET bottles. Nevertheless, some local recycling programs do accept clamshells, and proper cleaning and separation can improve their recyclability. Consumers play a vital role in advocating for better packaging options and can use resources like Earth911's Recycling Search to find local recycling solutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic type | Polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) |
| Plastic number | #1 or #3 |
| Recyclability | Technically recyclable but often not accepted by recycling programs |
| Reasons for low acceptance | Difficult to differentiate from other plastics, different bulk density and melting temperature than PET bottles, strong adhesives, lower quality end product |
| Consumer actions | Clean and dry packaging, remove labels and adhesives, check local recycling solutions, contact manufacturer |
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What You'll Learn
Clamshells are hard to recycle because they contaminate PET bales
Plastic clamshells are a tricky material to recycle. They are made of Polyethylene-terephthalate, or PET for short, which is one of the most recyclable plastics. However, clamshells are often not accepted by recycling programs and material recovery facilities (MRFs) because they contaminate PET bales.
When plastic clamshells are processed at MRFs, operators and sorting equipment struggle to differentiate them from other similarly shaped containers made of different plastics. As a result, when the final PET bales are created to be shipped for processing, they become "contaminated" with the plastic clamshells. This contamination lowers the quality of the PET bales, which is undesirable for recycling facilities as they want to produce the purest bales of a given material to get the best market rate.
The issue of contamination is further exacerbated by the labels on plastic clamshells. These labels often have strong adhesives that are difficult to remove, adding to the contamination problem. Additionally, the process of producing plastic clamshells, called thermoforming, results in PET products with different densities than those produced by blow molding, which is used for bottles and jugs. This difference in density contributes to the contamination issue when plastic clamshells are mixed with bottles and jugs in the recycling process.
To address the contamination caused by plastic clamshells, some organizations have developed protocols and guidelines for recycling them. For example, the Association of Post Consumer Plastic Recyclers created "Design for Recycling Guidelines" specifically for PET clamshell containers. Additionally, some companies, like Green Impact Plastics, have partnered with recycling programs to responsibly recycle plastic clamshells. However, despite these efforts, plastic clamshells remain a challenging material to recycle due to the contamination issues they pose to PET bales.
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Clamshells are made of Polyethylene-terephthalate (PET)
PET is commonly recycled and has the number 1 (♳) as its resin identification code (RIC). It is 100% recyclable, no matter the grade. However, there are challenges to recycling clamshells made of PET. Clamshells are produced using a process called thermoforming, while bottles and jugs are made through blow molding. These different processes result in PET products with distinct grades and specific uses.
Clamshells often have labels with strong adhesives that are challenging to remove, and they produce more fine particles during the recycling process. They also have a different bulk density than PET bottles, which makes it difficult to process the two types of PET products together. When plastic clamshells are sorted at material recovery facilities (MRFs), operators and equipment often struggle to differentiate clamshells from other similarly-shaped containers made of different plastics. As a result, the final PET bales may become "contaminated" with the plastic clamshells, reducing their market value.
Despite these challenges, more than 100 million pounds of PET thermoform material were recycled in the US in 2018. To recycle clamshells, you can start by removing any labels or adhesives to minimise contamination. Then, place the clean clamshells directly into your recycling bin.
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How to prepare clamshells for recycling
Clamshells are made of a plastic called Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET for short. This plastic usually has a #1 symbol on it, which is one of the few plastic numbers accepted for curbside recycling. However, clamshells are an exception to this rule, with many curbside recycling services not accepting clamshell containers. This is because clamshells are made using a process called thermoforming, which gives them a different density than PET bottles, making them incompatible with the recycling systems of some services.
To prepare your clamshells for recycling, first, check with your local recycling program to see if clamshell packaging is accepted. If your local program does not accept clamshells, look for a recycling transfer station near you that does.
Once you have found a place that accepts clamshells, you should clean the packaging thoroughly to remove any food residue or other contaminants. You should also remove any labels or adhesive stickers, as these can interfere with the recycling process. If you are unable to remove the paper, you can soak the labels to remove them and leave the remaining adhesive on the package, or cut the plastic with the labels still attached to minimize contamination. After this, dry the container and place the clamshell packaging directly in the recycling bin. Do not bag your plastic recyclables, as they will be sent directly to a landfill.
If there are no recycling solutions near you, avoid purchasing products with clamshell packaging. You can also contact the manufacturer and let them know that you will purchase their product again when they switch to a type of packaging that does not have to be thrown in the trash.
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Why clamshells are hard to recycle in Seattle and Portland
Plastic clamshells are challenging to recycle in Seattle and Portland due to the nature of the materials used and the limitations of local recycling programs. Here are several reasons why:
Curbside recycling challenges: Many curbside recycling services in these cities do not accept plastic clamshells, even though they may be made of recyclable Polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) plastic. The issue arises because clamshells are often made with different manufacturing processes than bottles, resulting in distinct grades and densities of PET plastic. This makes it difficult for recycling facilities to process them together and maintain the desired purity of the recycled material.
Contamination concerns: Plastic clamshells used for food products can be contaminated with food residue, oils, and grease, which can impact the quality of the recycled material. While contamination can be an issue for other materials like paper, it is essential to ensure that plastic clamshells are thoroughly cleaned before recycling, which can be a challenge for consumers.
Limited recycling infrastructure: In the past, there were limited options for recycling plastic clamshells in Seattle and Portland. While companies like Ridwell have recently introduced clamshell recycling programs, they may require membership fees or only accept specific types of clamshells, such as clear plastic ones. Additionally, some recycling programs in other cities or states might not be accessible to residents of Seattle and Portland.
Difficulties in differentiation: During the recycling process, it can be challenging for operators and sorting equipment at material recovery facilities (MRFs) to differentiate plastic clamshells from other similar containers made of different plastics. This can lead to "contamination" of the final PET bales with other types of plastic, reducing their market value and creating economic disincentives for recycling clamshells.
Consumer confusion: The varying acceptance of plastic clamshells by different recycling programs can cause confusion among consumers. This confusion may lead to consumers disposing of clamshells in the recycling bin when their local program does not accept them, further complicating the recycling process and potentially increasing costs for recycling facilities.
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How to find a local clamshell recycling solution
Plastic clamshells are notoriously difficult to recycle. They are often contaminated with food or other materials during the recycling process, and their lightweight nature means they are hard to separate from other types of plastic. Many recycling programs and facilities do not accept them, even though they are made of recyclable PET plastic (#1 plastic).
However, if you want to find a local clamshell recycling solution, there are a few things you can try. Firstly, check with your local recycling program or facility to see if they accept clamshell packaging. You can usually do this by checking your city's recycling guide or contacting them directly. Some facilities may accept clamshells but only in small quantities, so it is worth asking about their specific policies.
If your local program does not accept clamshells, you can try using an online recycling search tool such as the Earth911 Recycling Search. This website allows you to enter your ZIP code to find local recycling solutions for various materials, including clamshells.
Another option is to look for companies or organizations that specialize in recycling hard-to-recycle plastics, such as Ridwell. These companies may offer pick-up services for your clamshells and work with local partners to ensure they are properly recycled.
Finally, you can try to reduce your consumption of products packaged in clamshells. This may involve choosing alternative products with more sustainable packaging or buying in bulk to minimize the amount of packaging you use. You can also contact manufacturers and retailers to express your concerns about their packaging choices and encourage them to adopt more eco-friendly solutions.
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Frequently asked questions
Clamshells are made of a plastic called Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET for short. While PET is 100% recyclable, clamshells are made using a process called thermoforming, which gives them a different density than PET bottles. This makes them undesirable to recycling facilities as they produce a lower-quality end product. They are also hard to differentiate from other plastics at recycling facilities.
First, clean the clamshell packaging thoroughly to remove any food residue or other contaminants. Remove any labels or adhesive stickers, as these can interfere with the recycling process. Then, check with your local recycling program to see if clamshell packaging is accepted. If there are no recycling solutions near you, avoid purchasing products with plastic clamshell packaging.
There is a growing interest in biodegradable and compostable alternatives to clamshell packaging. For example, OrganicGirl introduced its salad greens in a biodegradable Polyactic acid (PLA) bioplastic container. However, there are currently not enough industrial composting facilities in the U.S. to process a large share of PLA.
