Maya Ellison
Plastic milk jugs are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a type of #2 plastic. While most curbside recycling programs accept #2 plastics, only around 30% of HDPE is recycled. To save space in recycling bins, it is recommended to crush milk jugs before disposal. This can be done by hand or with the help of tools such as electric leaf and twig shredders, aviation snips, scissors, or box cutters. However, some individuals choose to shred milk jugs for DIY projects, such as melting the plastic to mould it into new products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic type | #1 plastic (PET) or #2 plastic (HDPE) |
| Plastic thickness | 0.5 mm at thinnest parts |
| Tools for cutting | Paper shredder, scissors, box cutter, aviation snips, electric leaf and twig shredder, liquid nitrogen and hammer, electric scissors |
| Recycling process | Crush, melt, and mould into new products |
| FDA restrictions | No new bottles and jugs from motor oil, antifreeze, and pesticide containers due to contamination concerns |
| Rinsing requirements | Bottles and jugs should be rinsed before recycling to remove sugar residue and odours |
| Crushing benefits | Removing air from a milk jug can reduce its size by over half, saving space in recycling bins |
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What You'll Learn
Crushing and baling plastic milk jugs
Plastic milk jugs are usually made of #1 plastic (PET) or #2 plastic (HDPE), both of which are accepted by most recycling programs. Most recycling programs ask that you rinse your bottles and jugs before recycling. This is because the remnants often contain sugar, which can attract insects and generate odours.
It is important to note that milk jugs should be crushed as soon as they are empty and rinsed, as old milk jugs can develop a stench.
After crushing, the jugs are collected in a large container at a drop-off centre and then hauled to a material recovery facility. Here, the jugs are emptied into a baler. Typically, one full container produces a bale that weighs 600-800 lbs. However, if all the jugs were crushed to a 70% volume reduction, an additional 560 lbs of jugs could fit into the same container. This would result in a higher-quality product, as more jugs in one bale would help hold it together better. It would also reduce the number of times per week that the container needs to be serviced, thus conserving the fuel and energy used to operate the machinery.
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Using a paper or leaf shredder
To shred plastic milk jugs using a paper or leaf shredder, you will need to prepare the jugs by cutting them into flat panels. You can use scissors, a box cutter, or tin snips to do this, being careful to cut away from your body.
Once you have your flat panels, you can feed them into the shredder. It is recommended to use a cross-cut shredder, which can handle thicker materials like credit cards, CDs, and milk jugs. The Fellowes brand 12Ms model is one example of a suitable shredder, though it may still struggle with the heat generated by shredding plastic.
Before using the shredder, it is important to oil the blades. You can do this by saturating a piece of cardstock in vegetable oil and running it through the shredder. Then, put the shredder in reverse for about ten seconds before returning to forward to ensure the blades are lubricated.
When shredding the plastic milk jugs, be aware that you may experience jamming or inconsistent particle sizes. To avoid jamming, you may need to trim the plastic pieces by hand after shredding.
If you are looking for a more manual option, you can build your own hand-cranked shredder. Precious Plastics offers a kit with instructions for building a shredder out of sheet metal. This option will require some assembly and modifications, such as drilling holes in the axle and filing down areas where parts rub together.
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Cutting milk jugs with scissors
Milk jugs are usually made of #2 plastic, also known as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is harder to cut through than #1 plastic. Therefore, it is recommended to use sharp tools such as scissors, knives, or grinders to cut through plastic milk jugs.
To cut a milk jug with scissors, start by poking one end of the scissor through the plastic. Then, cut along the desired line. It is recommended to cut the mouth of the milk jug, which tends to be thick, with scissors. However, for thicker plastic milk jugs, scissors may not be sufficient, and you may need to use a sturdy knife or tin snips.
If you are cutting the bottom off a milk jug, it is recommended to fill the jug with hot water, replace the cap, and wait a few minutes before cutting. This will make it easier to remove the label, and you will be able to see through the jug to avoid cutting any spouts.
After cutting up the milk jug, you can recycle the plastic pieces or use them for creative projects. It is important to dispose of the plastic pieces properly to protect the environment and your family's health. You can find local recycling centers that accept shredded plastic debris and sort your plastic pieces into categories such as PET and HDPE to facilitate the recycling process.
Additionally, you can use the plastic scraps to create eco-friendly crafts such as vases, pen holders, or ornaments. When storing plastic pieces, it is recommended to use an airtight container and keep them away from children and pets and out of direct sunlight to maintain their quality and safety.
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Freezing and hammering
Freezing and then hammering plastic milk jugs is a great way to shred them effectively. This method is simple and can be done with household items.
First, fill the plastic milk jug with water and place it in the freezer. Ensure that the jug is standing upright and leave it to freeze for at least 24 hours. By freezing the water-filled jug, you are creating a solid block that will help in the shredding process.
Once the water is frozen, remove the jug from the freezer. You may need to let it sit for a few minutes to allow any ice that may have formed around the opening to melt, making it easier to remove the frozen block. Take the frozen block out of the jug and place it on a sturdy surface that can withstand hammering, such as a workbench or an outdoor patio.
Now, using a hammer, start striking the frozen block. Aim for the edges and corners of the block to create cracks and fractures. The plastic should start to break into smaller pieces. Continue hammering until you have achieved the desired size of shredded plastic.
This method is useful if you want to shred a small number of plastic milk jugs. It is a manual process that requires some physical effort but can be an enjoyable project to do at home. Remember to take appropriate safety precautions when handling the hammer and always wear protective gear, such as safety goggles and gloves, to avoid any potential hazards.
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Rinsing and recycling
It is important to rinse milk jugs before recycling them. Milk remnants often contain sugar, which will attract insects and generate odors. Mold can also grow if there is any trace of leftover milk, which can lead to an entire load being thrown out. It is recommended to triple-rinse containers that have held hazardous materials, such as motor oil, antifreeze, or pesticides, before including them in your recycling. If a plastic bottle cannot be cleaned with a small amount of water, it should not be recycled.
Some recycling programs have specific requirements for accepting plastic milk jugs. For example, some programs only accept clear bottles and jugs. It is important to separate #1 and #2 plastics to ensure the resulting pellets keep their color. Additionally, some programs require that caps are left on bottles to prevent loose caps from falling out during transportation, while others require caps to be removed to ensure bottles are empty and to prevent damage to recycling machinery.
To save space in recycling bins, milk jugs can be crushed after they have been emptied and rinsed. Crushing milk jugs can reduce their volume by over 50%, doubling the available space in recycling bins. However, crushing items can make it harder for optical sorting technology to properly identify and sort plastic items.
Overall, it is important to rinse and, if desired, crush plastic milk jugs before recycling them to ensure they are correctly recycled and do not cause issues such as attracting insects or generating odors.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a variety of tools to cut up plastic milk jugssuch as a paper shredder, scissors, a box cutter, aviation snips, tin snips, or electric scissors.
A micro-cut shredder is recommended for shredding plastic milk jugs. A 12-15 sheet shredder should be sufficient, with the Fellowes brand being one suggested option.
Yes, you can freeze the milk jug in liquid nitrogen and then use a hammer to break it into pieces. Alternatively, you can crush the milk jug by hand or with the help of a professional.
Shredded plastic milk jugs can be melted down and moulded into new products such as cutting boards, children's toys, or outdoor furniture. However, it is important to note that due to safety concerns and strict regulations, recycled plastic is typically used for non-food items in the United States.
