Alexei Volkov
Plastic and glass are two of the most popular and useful materials of modern times. Recycling them can help conserve natural resources, reduce waste, save energy, and create jobs. Most types of glass can be recycled endlessly without losing purity or quality, and one ton of recycled glass can save 1,330 pounds of sand, 433 pounds of soda, 433 pounds of limestone, and 151 pounds of feldspar during the creation of new glass. Plastic is a highly versatile material, and recycling it can help optimise its lifespan. Re-using and recycling plastic items as many times as possible can reduce the need to create new plastic.
How to Recycle Glass and Plastic
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bottles | Nearly all plastic bottles can be recycled. Ensure they are empty and have the cap on. Plastic bottles are usually made from PET or HDPE, which are easy to recycle. |
| Plastic bags and wraps | Can be recycled at participating stores. Ensure they are clean and dry. Plastic bags are often recycled into lumber for decks or fences. |
| Plastic in the home | Plastic items in the bathroom, laundry area, and garage can be recycled. This includes bottles, containers, caps, and cleaning products. |
| Public recycling | Public recycling bins are available in parks, sports stadiums, and beaches. |
| Glass bottles and jars | Clear glass bottles, jars, and containers can be recycled. Ensure they are rinsed out and free of residue. |
| Glass processing | Glass is sorted, crushed, and melted in a furnace. It is then poured and molded into new bottles, jars, or containers. |
| Benefits of recycling glass | Recycling glass reduces carbon emissions, raw material consumption, energy costs, and waste. It also decreases the usage of new resources. |
| Non-recyclable glass | Drinking glasses, eyeglasses, glass furniture, mirrors, and light bulbs cannot be recycled. |
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What You'll Learn
- Glass bottles and jars should be rinsed and free of labels before recycling
- Plastic bags and wraps can be recycled into lumber for decking or fences
- Plastic bottle caps are recyclable and should be kept on the bottle
- Glass can be recycled an endless number of times without losing purity or quality
- Plastic grocery bags can be recycled at many retail and grocery stores
Glass bottles and jars should be rinsed and free of labels before recycling
Glass is the first type of packaging to be recycled, and it can be recycled infinitely, making it more recyclable than other materials. Recycling glass has a positive impact on the environment, reducing energy demand and CO2 emissions. Recycled glass also reduces emissions and raw material consumption, extends the life of plant equipment, and saves energy. For every ton of glass recycled, more than a ton of natural resources and raw materials are saved.
However, not all types of glassware are accepted for recycling at each facility, and it is important to check with your local recycling drop-off center. Most glass that is used for food packaging, such as salsa jars and iced tea bottles, can be recycled. Glass bottles and jars can be recycled, but drinking glasses, eyeglasses, glass furniture, mirrors, and light bulbs cannot. It is important to remove any closures that are not made of glass, such as metal lids, before recycling.
In addition, it is worth noting that broken glass should not be placed in recycling bins, as it can harm workers and damage equipment. Instead, it should be wrapped in several layers of cardboard or paper and placed in the trash. Alternatively, contact your local recycling center or city service department to inquire about specific instructions for broken glass disposal.
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Plastic bags and wraps can be recycled into lumber for decking or fences
Glass is one of the most well-known materials to recycle, and it can be recycled over and over again without any loss in quality. Glass recycling is the oldest form of recycling in the United States, and it has a positive impact on the environment. Glass is also the first type of packaging to be recycled. For every ton of glass recycled, more than a ton of natural resources and raw materials are saved. When recycling glass, it is important to rinse out the containers before placing them in the recycling bin to reduce odors and contamination. It is also crucial to separate glass from other materials, such as metal bottle caps, and to avoid recycling drinking glasses, eyeglasses, glass furniture, mirrors, or light bulbs.
When it comes to plastic, the process is a bit more complex. Plastic bags and wraps, also known as plastic film packaging, are not typically accepted in curbside recycling bins. The reason for this is that they can cause equipment malfunctions at recycling facilities. Instead, they can be collected at home and then taken to a drop-off location, such as a retail store or grocery store, that accepts plastic film packaging for recycling. It is important to check with local recycling entities, as there may be differences from town to town.
While it is best to avoid using plastic bags altogether, it is impossible to avoid them completely. Plastic bags from grocery stores or takeout are recyclable, and there are many other kinds of plastic bags, wraps, and films that can be recycled through plastic film recycling. These include grocery bags, zip-top bags, stretchy wraps, bread bags, and wraps for toilet paper, among others. Recycling plastic film products saves a significant amount of oil and reduces our reliance on virgin materials.
Although it may seem convenient to throw away plastic bags, the environmental impact is significant. Americans will go through about 5 trillion plastic bags in 2023 alone, and plastic bags can be mistakenly ingested by turtles and dolphins, causing harm to marine life. Therefore, it is essential to recycle plastic bags and wraps whenever possible and to dispose of them properly to reduce their impact on the environment.
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Plastic bottle caps are recyclable and should be kept on the bottle
Plastic bottle caps are recyclable, but the ability to recycle them depends on your location and the technology available to your local recycling program. While some areas that accept plastic bottle caps prefer you to keep the cap on the bottle, others have different guidelines for metal caps. Before recycling your plastic bottles, it is important to check with your local recycling program to find out if they accept plastic bottle caps and whether they should be left on the bottle.
If your local recycling program does accept plastic bottle caps, leaving them on the bottle can help ensure that they are not lost during the recycling process due to their small size. For example, the Napa Recycling and Waste Service recommends putting metal bottle caps in a steel food can and recycling the can and its contents together once it is nearly full. This way, the small bottle caps are not lost during the recycling process.
However, it is important to note that plastic bottle caps are made from a different resin than the bottles and typically have a seal inside that is hard to separate, making them difficult to recycle. As a result, some areas may not have the technology to recycle plastic bottle caps. In these cases, it is recommended to remove the plastic bottle caps before recycling the bottles.
To properly recycle your plastic bottles and caps, follow these steps: First, check if your local recycling location accepts both plastic and metal bottle caps. If they do, find out their guidelines for recycling bottle caps, including whether they prefer to keep the caps on the bottles. If your local recycling program does not accept plastic bottle caps, be sure to remove them before recycling the bottles. Additionally, remember to rinse out your bottles and caps before placing them in the recycling bin to reduce odors and lessen the chance of contamination.
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Glass can be recycled an endless number of times without losing purity or quality
Glass is one of the most recyclable materials, and it can be recycled an infinite number of times without any loss in quality or purity. This makes glass a highly sustainable material compared to other packaging options like plastic. Glass is made from non-toxic raw materials such as silica, sand, soda ash, limestone, and up to 70% recycled glass. It is the only packaging material certified by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration as "generally regarded as safe".
The ability to recycle glass repeatedly has a positive impact on the environment. For every ton of glass recycled, over 700 pounds of carbon dioxide is prevented from being released into the atmosphere, which helps combat climate change. Recycling glass also reduces the demand for energy, cuts CO2 emissions, and saves natural resources. According to Keep America Beautiful, recycling one ton of glass saves more than a ton of natural resources and raw materials, including 1,300 pounds of sand, 410 pounds of soda ash, 380 pounds of limestone, and 160 pounds of feldspar.
Glass recycling has been practiced for more than 100 years, and it is the oldest form of recycling in the United States. Today, most glass used for food packaging, such as salsa jars and iced tea bottles, can be recycled. However, it is important to note that not all types of glassware are accepted for recycling at every facility, so it is essential to check with your local recycling center. Additionally, broken glass should not be placed in recycling bins as it can harm workers and damage equipment.
When recycling glass, it is recommended to rinse out the containers to reduce odors and the chance of contamination. Plastic or metal lids should be removed, and they can be recycled separately. Most curbside recycling programs accept different glass colors and types mixed together, and they are sorted at the recovery facility. Glass processing companies employ color sorting to group glass into clear, green, or amber categories, as mixing colors during melting can compromise the structure of the final product.
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Plastic grocery bags can be recycled at many retail and grocery stores
Most drop-off bag collections accept polyethylene film, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE or #2 plastic) and low-density polyethylene (#4 plastic or LDPE). Plastic shopping bags from any store can be recycled, but make sure to remove any receipts or other items from the bags. All materials should be clean and dry to prevent contamination.
Some plastics that are less likely to be recyclable include crinkly plastic bags, such as pre-washed salad bags, chip bags, and cereal box liners. These plastics can cause issues in the recycling process as they bend easily and can get caught in conveyor belts, requiring manual removal and causing downtime.
To reduce your plastic bag usage, consider taking reusable bags to the grocery store, pharmacy, or other retail stores. You can also reuse plastic bags for tasks like cleaning up after pets or lining small trash cans.
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Frequently asked questions
Clear glass used in containers, bottles, and jars can be recycled. This glass is usually made up of soda lime, the most common form of glass used.
Rinse out glass bottles, jars, and containers so they are free of food and label residue. Remove plastic or metal lids from glass jars and bottles.
Plastic bottles of all kinds, as well as plastic bags, plastic wraps, and soft plastics like baby and pet food pouches, crisp and sweet packets, delivery bags, and salad bags.
Ensure that all plastic items are clean and dry before placing them in the recycling bin. For plastic bottles, empty the contents and twist on the bottle caps before tossing them in the bin.
Many local authorities offer collection facilities for plastic bottles and other plastic items through household recycling collections or at Recycling Centres. Some supermarkets and retailers also collect plastic bags and wrappings for recycling.
