Maya Ellison
Plastic is one of the most popular and useful materials of modern times. Worldwide, we produce 300 million tonnes of plastic each year, but only a small percentage is recycled. Plastic recycling involves several steps and organisations that ensure plastic is transformed into new products. This process includes collection, sorting, shredding, melting, and moulding. Consumers play an important role in this process by correctly identifying and disposing of plastic waste. This includes checking local recycling programs, understanding recycling symbols, and properly cleaning and preparing plastic items for recycling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic types | PET, HDPE, LDPE |
| Plastic forms | Bottles, films, bags, pouches, wrappings, soft plastics, biobased plastics, compostable plastics |
| Plastic sources | Households, businesses, retail and grocery stores, supermarkets, recycling centres, communal recycling bins, public parking lots, community centres |
| Plastic recycling methods | Shredding, melt processing, moulding, mechanical recycling |
| Plastic recycling labels | How2Recycle, Smart Label, on-pack recycling labels |
| Plastic recycling instructions | Remove food residue, flatten boxes, cut off sealable zippers, remove caps or sleeves |
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What You'll Learn
How to recycle plastic at home
Recycling plastic at home can be done in several ways, from simple upcycling to more complex processes such as plastic welding and 3D printing. Here are some methods to recycle plastic at home:
Upcycling
Upcycling is a simple way to give plastic items a new purpose without having to melt or mould them. For example, plastic bottles can be turned into planters, snack containers, or even a watering can for your garden by poking holes in the bottom. Old plastic bottles can also be made into piggy banks.
Plastic Welding
Plastic welding involves melting and fusing plastic together without remoulding it. This method produces toxic fumes, so it should be done in a well-ventilated area or with an exhaust fan. To melt plastic, cut clean plastic bottles into small pieces, place them in a metal container, and heat them in the oven at 350°F (176.6°C) for a few minutes. Be cautious, as different types of plastic have different melting points and may release toxic fumes when melted.
3D Printing
With the advancement of technology, it is now possible to recycle plastic waste into 3D printer filament. This process is known as distributed recycling and additive manufacturing (DRAM). First, sort and wash the plastic with soap and water. Then, you can either convert the plastic into filament using a recyclebot or skip this step and use fused particle fabrication to 3D print granulated waste plastic directly into products.
It is important to note that not all plastics are recyclable, and it is crucial to check with your local authorities to understand the specific recycling guidelines for your area. Additionally, some plastics may require special treatment, such as chemical recycling to break them down at a molecular level.
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How to recycle plastic commercially
Plastic is one of the most versatile materials in modern times, and recycling it is crucial to reducing our need to create new plastic. While almost all plastic can be recycled in principle, there are several barriers to doing so in practice. For instance, items made of multiple types of plastic or contaminated by food or other substances can be difficult and costly to recycle. Additionally, small quantities of plastic may not be economical to recycle due to the high costs of building and operating recycling facilities.
The first step in the commercial plastic recycling process is collection. Plastic is deposited by users into recycling containers, which are collected by local authorities or waste management contractors. The plastic is then taken to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), which separate plastic from non-plastic materials, and/or Plastic Recovery Facilities (PRFs), which sort plastic by type. These facilities use sorting equipment such as optical sorters and ballistic separators to distinguish between different types of plastics and separate rigid from flexible items.
After sorting, the plastic undergoes reprocessing, where it is washed, ground into flakes or shredded, and heated and extruded into new plastic pellets. These pellets can then be sold to independent companies to be moulded into new products, such as synthetic lumber, bags, bottles, or clothing.
To recycle plastic commercially, it is important to ensure that all contaminants have been removed and that plastic items are correctly sorted before collection. Additionally, purchasing products made from recycled plastic can help support the commercial plastic recycling process.
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How to recycle plastic by type
Plastic recycling can be confusing, but it's important to understand how to do it properly to reduce waste and protect the environment. Here is a guide on how to recycle plastic by type:
Plastic Bottles
Nearly all plastic bottles can be recycled. This includes water bottles, which are usually made from a single type of plastic such as PETE, as well as milk jugs and bottles used for products like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Simply empty and rinse the bottles before placing them in the recycling bin. You don't need to flatten them, and you can keep the caps on.
Plastic Containers
Many communities collect plastic containers such as yogurt pots, sour cream tubs, and condiment bottles for recycling. "Clamshell" packaging, often used for takeout food, can also be recycled in some areas. Check with your local recycler to see what types of plastic containers they accept.
Plastic Bags and Wraps
Plastic bags and wraps, such as grocery bags, bread bags, and plastic film, can often be recycled but cannot go in your household recycling bin. Many grocery stores and retailers have collection bins for these items, which are typically made of soft plastic like polyethylene. These soft plastics are recycled into new products like decking, park benches, or new bags.
Other Plastic Items
Other plastic items that can be recycled include plastic bottle caps, which are often made from polypropylene plastic and can be recycled into auto parts, storage bins, and more. Some communities also collect plastic utensils, although not all recyclers accept these. Envelopes with plastic windows can usually be recycled, as long as they are "spatula-clean" and free from food residue.
Compostable and Biobased Plastics
Compostable plastics are not intended for recycling and should be kept separate from non-compostable plastics. Check with your local garbage or recycling company to find out if they accept compostable plastic for recycling. Biobased plastics should be checked for their compostability and recyclability by reading the product's label.
Symbols and Labels
Recycling symbols and labels on plastic packaging can help you identify the type of plastic and how to recycle it. The Resin Identification Code, a triangle with a number from 1 to 7 inside, indicates the type of plastic used. The Mobius Loop, a triangle made of three arrows, means the item is recyclable, but this may vary by location.
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How to recycle plastic by product
Plastic is a versatile material that is used to make a wide range of products. While it is important to reuse and recycle plastic items as many times as possible, it is also essential to know what types of plastic can be recycled. Recycling plastic correctly is a step towards reducing plastic waste, which is a major environmental problem.
Recycling plastic by product:
- Plastic bottles: Plastic bottles are usually made from two types of plastic that are easy to recycle: PET and HDPE. Most local authorities offer collection facilities for plastic bottles, and many communities collect plastic containers for products such as yoghurt, sour cream, condiments, and "clamshell" packaging. Bottle caps are also recyclable and can be tossed into the bin without needing to be flattened.
- Plastic bags and wraps: Plastic bags, wraps, and films are often not accepted by recycling programs but can be recycled at many retailers' in-store drop-off bins. These include grocery and retail stores, which collect plastic grocery bags, bread bags, dry-cleaning bags, and shipping pillows. The recycled plastic is turned into new products like park chairs and decking.
- Food packaging: Many local authorities now offer collections for mixed plastics packaging, such as pots, tubs, and trays. This includes food pouches, crisp and sweet packets, delivery bags, salad bags, and bread bags. However, some types of compostable plastic should not be placed in dry recycling collections or garden waste bins.
- Bathroom products: Plastic items such as bottles, containers, and caps for shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, mouthwash, and other bathroom products can be recycled. These can be collected in small recycling receptacles placed in the bathroom.
- Laundry products: Detergent and cleaning product containers from the laundry area can also be recycled.
- Other household products: Plastic items from the garage or garden, such as auto and gardening product containers, can be recycled.
It is important to check with local recycling programs, as the accepted types of plastic may vary by area. Additionally, it is essential to clean and sort plastic items before recycling, removing any labels, stickers, or food residue, and sorting them by type to ensure proper recycling.
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How to recycle plastic by location
Recycling plastic can be done in several ways and depends on your location. Here are some methods and locations to recycle plastic:
Retail and Grocery Stores
Many retail and grocery stores accept plastic materials for recycling. For example, in the United States, the Trex Company, which runs the NexTrex program, buys baled plastic film and processes it into composite decking. You can search for a drop-off location near you through the NexTrex Directory, which provides a list of retail chains by state. Similarly, the How2Recycle program in the US encourages members to source recycled content for flexible plastic items and has drop-off locations at various businesses.
Recycling Databases
You can utilize online recycling databases to find specific locations near you that accept plastic for recycling. For instance, Earth911 provides information on where to recycle plastic bags, plastic wrap/film, and styrofoam. Additionally, over 350 materials and 100,000+ listings are maintained in North America by dialing 1(800)CLEANUP or searching with your zip code on their website.
Household Recycling
Some plastics can be recycled through your household recycling bin, but it's important to check with your local recycling provider to learn their specific guidelines. For example, plastic bottles with their caps and labels can usually be recycled, but items like plastic sandwich bags may need to be cut up and cleaned before recycling.
Specialty Drop-off Locations
Certain types of plastic, such as batteries, require special handling and cannot be disposed of in household garbage or recycling bins. Instead, take them to specialty drop-off locations or household hazardous waste collection points. These locations are equipped to handle and recycle items that require extra care.
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Frequently asked questions
The types of plastic that can be recycled vary by location. In the US, only 8.7% of the 35 million tons of plastic generated in 2018 was recycled. Check with your local recycling program to find out which types of plastic they accept. Plastic bottles of all kinds, made from PET and HDPE, are usually easy to recycle.
Plastic waste is collected from homes, businesses, and recycling centers and sent to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) to separate plastic and non-plastic items. The plastic is then sorted, shredded, washed, and melted before being molded into new products.
Plastic can be recycled at home through local recycling programs, or at retail and grocery stores that accept certain materials for recycling. Some local authorities offer collection facilities for plastic bottles, and an increasing number collect mixed plastics packaging such as pots, tubs, and trays.
