Recycling Plastic: A Guide To Doing It Yourself

Plastic recycling is a confusing topic, and it's not always easy to know what can and can't be recycled. In the US, only 8.7% of the 35 million tons of plastic generated in 2018 was recycled. However, there are ways to improve your recycling habits and even recycle plastic at home. You can recycle plastic yourself by seeking out public recycling bins in parks, stadiums, and beaches, or by dropping off your plastic at grocery stores and retail stores that accept certain plastics for recycling. You can also recycle plastic at home by building a Precious Plastic machine, which costs between $135 and $215 and takes three to five days to build.

Recycling Plastic Yourself

Check local recycling programs to see what plastic can be recycled in your area

When it comes to recycling plastic, it's important to check your local recycling programs to understand what specific types of plastic they accept. Recycling programs can vary from community to community, so it's essential to seek information specific to your area. Your community's official website is often the best place to find detailed information about your local recycling program. Additionally, some provinces or territories have their own resources for checking the recyclability of different materials.

It's worth noting that some types of plastic may not be accepted by your local community recycling program. This can include items such as plastic utensils and compostable plastics. Compostable plastics, for example, are designed for composting rather than recycling and can contaminate the recycling stream if mixed with non-compostable plastics. Therefore, if you have compostable plastics, check with your local garbage or recycling company, or your local government, to find out if there are any drop-off locations or other disposal options.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some plastics may be accepted for recycling at retail and grocery stores, even if they cannot be placed in your household recycling bin. For instance, many stores accept plastic bags, plastic wrap, and plastic films for recycling. Additionally, sandwich bags are often accepted for recycling, but it's important to cut off any sealable zippers before dropping them off.

To make informed decisions about plastic recycling, it's recommended to check the resin identification codes on plastic items. These codes, usually found within a triangle symbol, indicate the type of plastic used and can help you determine if a particular item is accepted by your local recycling program. Remember that the presence of the recycling symbol doesn't guarantee that an item can be recycled in your community. Always refer to local guidelines and stay updated with any improvements in databases or the introduction of scannable QR codes to make checking local recyclability easier.

Clean and dry plastic before recycling

It is important to clean and dry plastic items before placing them in the recycling bin. This is because food or product residue can contaminate the recycling process. Containers contaminated with food, for example, cannot be recycled. Even if there is just a small amount of food left on the plastic, it is still considered contaminated.

To clean your plastic items, rinse or scrape off any residue. You don't have to get it completely clean, but it should be what some refer to as "spatula-clean". After this, it is important to dry your plastic items. This will ensure that no further contamination occurs during the recycling process.

Some plastic items, such as plastic bags and wraps, need to be clean and dry before they are placed in a public recycling bin. These are often found at parks, sports stadiums, and beaches. Public recycling bins are a great way to increase recycling rates and cut down on litter.

It is always a good idea to check with your local recycling program to see what types of plastic they accept and if they have any specific cleaning requirements.

Buy a Precious Plastic machine to recycle plastic at home

Precious Plastic is an alternative plastic recycling system that people around the world can run themselves. The company designs four types of machines that can be used to recycle plastic at home. The machine designs are open-source, and blueprints, instructional videos, and directions are available online. The machines cost between $135 and $215 to build and take three to five days.

The Precious Plastic website suggests that builders try to recycle scrap material to build the machines themselves. In the instructional videos, the founder, Dave Hakkens, picks through a junkyard and even cuts sheet metal from an old car door to build his machine.

There are also bigger Precious Plastic machines that can process more volume and recycle more plastic. These are more suitable for people who want to start a recycling business or join a Precious Plastic community in their town.

When recycling plastic at home, it is important to note that some types of plastic may not be accepted by your local recycling program. It is also recommended to purchase products made from recycled plastic materials to encourage the end market for recycled products.

Plastic bags and wraps can be recycled into decking or park benches

Firstly, it's essential to identify the type of plastic. Plastic bags and wraps made from flexible polyethylene, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE), are more commonly recyclable. The resin identification code, a triangle with a number inside, can help identify the type of plastic. HDPE is identified by the number '2', and LDPE by the number '4'. These codes are usually found on the product packaging or the item itself.

Once the type of plastic has been identified, it's crucial to ensure that the bags and wraps are clean and dry. Any food residue, labels, tape, or adhesive strips should be removed as these can contaminate the recycling process. The plastic needs to be clean enough to be considered "spatula-clean".

After collecting and preparing the plastic bags and wraps, they can be dropped off at designated locations. Some retail and grocery stores accept these materials for recycling and have collection bins near the front of the store. Additionally, programs like NexTrex and Evergreen Conservancy's "Bags to Benches" initiative encourage communities to collect and recycle plastic film. These programs often provide incentives, such as donating benches made from recycled plastic to local organizations.

It's worth noting that some plastic bags and wraps may not be accepted by local recycling programs. In such cases, individuals can explore other options, such as building their own recycling machines using open-source designs and blueprints available online. However, this option may require some investment in terms of time and money.

Buy products made from recycled plastic

One of the best ways to recycle plastic yourself is to buy products made from recycled plastic. This way, you can ensure that the plastic you use gets a second life and doesn't end up in landfills or the ocean. Here are some ways you can do this:

Support Sustainable Companies: Choose to buy from companies that are committed to sustainability and use recycled plastic in their products. For example, Preserve creates a wide range of personal care products, including toothbrushes and razors, made from 100% recycled #5 plastics. They also have a mail-in and retail-based return program for their products, ensuring they can be recycled again. Another company, Green Toys, manufactures its toys from 100% recycled materials, including recycled milk jugs and yogurt containers. Their packaging is also eco-friendly, made from recyclable cardboard and printed with renewable soy ink.

Choose Recycled Clothing and Accessories: You can find clothing and accessory options made from recycled plastic, such as Rothy's shoes, which are crafted from plastic water bottles. These shoes are not only stylish and comfortable but also durable and machine washable. West Paw is another company that uses recycled plastic bottles to create pet beds, blankets, and clothing.

Opt for Recycled Home Goods: The Buffy Cloud comforter is an excellent example of a home good made from recycled plastic. It features a super-soft eucalyptus fabric outer shell filled with BPA-free recycled PET fibers from plastic bottles. Each comforter prevents approximately 50 plastic bottles from becoming waste.

Look for Recycled Packaging: When purchasing products, pay attention to the packaging. Some companies, like Method, use recycled plastic to create their product packaging. Additionally, keep an eye out for products with recyclable packaging, such as those with the How2Recycle Store Drop-off label. This label indicates that the flexible polyethylene-based plastics used in the packaging can be recycled through store drop-off programs.

By making conscious choices and supporting companies that utilize recycled plastic, you can actively contribute to reducing plastic waste and promoting a more sustainable future.

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