Initiating Plastic Recycling: A Guide To Getting Started

Plastic is one of the most popular and useful materials of modern times, with 300 million tonnes produced each year. However, a high amount of global waste is composed of plastic, which is detrimental to the environment. Plastic recycling is important as it helps conserve natural resources, reduce waste, save energy, and create jobs. It also helps to reduce the amount of petroleum used in manufacturing plastic, lowering the emission of harmful gases. To start recycling plastic, it is important to first know what can be recycled. Plastic bottles, containers, and caps, as well as grocery and retail bags, are commonly accepted for recycling. It is also important to separate recyclables from trash and to keep the local recycling rules visible to ensure proper sorting and avoid contamination.

Understand what plastics can be recycled

While almost all plastic can be recycled in theory, in practice, this is not always possible due to various environmental, economic, and technical barriers. For instance, some types of plastic are hard to recycle, such as bioplastics, composite plastic, plastic-coated wrapping paper, polycarbonate, and cling film. These plastics are non-recyclable and should be avoided if possible.

Another challenge is that some products are made from multiple types of plastic or contain different layers, which are difficult and costly to separate. This can make certain items non-recyclable, such as those with food residue, chemicals, or adhesives. It is important to ensure that any plastic you wish to recycle is clean and dry, as dirty or wet items can contaminate other recyclables.

Recycling facilities are expensive to operate and require large quantities of plastic to be treated daily to remain profitable. Therefore, small amounts of certain plastics may not always be accepted due to low efficiency and high costs. It is worth checking with your local authority or waste management provider to see what types of plastic they collect for recycling.

Some plastics are easier to recycle than others. For example, products made from a single type of plastic, such as PETE or HDPE, are more likely to be accepted. PETE is often used for water bottles and other drinks containers, while HDPE is used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles. These products are usually recycled into new bottles or other durable plastic products.

Lastly, some plastics require specialised handling and cannot be placed in standard recycling bins. These include Styrofoam, shrink wrap, manufacturing scrap, and thin plastic bags or films. However, some grocery stores may collect plastic bags for proper recycling, and certain hard-to-recycle plastics may be accepted by specialist companies.

Keep a recycling bin wherever you have a trash bin

One of the most important rules of recycling is to keep a recycling bin wherever you have a trash bin. This way, you can separate your trash from your recyclables right at the point of disposal. It is important to note that not all plastics qualify for store drop-off recycling, so be sure to check your local recycling rules and keep them visible near your bins. That way, you can quickly reference what can and cannot be recycled.

It is also important to avoid lining your recycling container with a plastic bag. These bags are typically not recyclable and should be avoided when bagging your recycling. If curbside recycling services are not available in your area, there is likely a public area for recyclables to be dumped for free somewhere in your city. You can also check with your local waste management contractor to see if they offer recycling collection services.

Once you have your recycling bin set up, you can start collecting the plastics you want to recycle. Ensure they are clean and dry, as dirty or wet items can contaminate the recycling process. Soft plastics, such as plastic bags and wraps, are commonly accepted for recycling and can be dropped off at designated locations, often found near the entrance or customer service area of grocery stores, retail chains, and big-box stores.

After collection, the plastics are taken to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and/or Plastic Recovery Facilities (PRFs) to be sorted. This is where plastic is separated from other materials and sorted into different types of plastic. At this stage, it is important that your plastics are properly cleaned and free of contaminants, such as food residue, chemicals, or adhesives, to avoid disrupting the recycling process and ending up in landfills.

Clean and dry your plastics before recycling

When it comes to recycling plastic, it is important to ensure that your plastics are clean and dry before placing them in the recycling bin. This is because dirty or wet plastic items can contaminate the recycling process. For instance, mixing non-recyclable plastics with recyclable ones or attempting to recycle plastics with food residue, chemicals, or adhesives can disrupt the process, leading to plastics ending up in landfills instead of being recycled.

To clean your plastics before recycling, follow these simple steps:

• Rinse: Give your plastic items a quick rinse with water. This helps remove any food residue, chemicals, or adhesives that may be on the surface. You don't need to scrub vigorously or use soap—a simple rinse will do.
• Remove sticky residue: If there is any sticky residue, such as peanut butter or mustard, use a scrub brush or scraper to remove it. This ensures that the plastic is free of any substances that could interfere with the recycling process.
• Dry: After rinsing, make sure to dry your plastic items completely before placing them in the recycling bin. Excess water can disrupt the melting process during recycling.
• Avoid using plastic bags: Do not put your recyclables into plastic bags before placing them in the bin. Plastic bags can jam the machinery at the recycling facility. Instead, place your clean and dry plastics directly into the recycling bin.

It's important to note that guidelines for plastic recycling may vary by location. Therefore, it's always a good idea to check with your local recycling provider or refer to local guidelines to understand the specific requirements for your area. Additionally, keep in mind that some items, such as heavily soiled or contaminated plastics, may not be recyclable and should be disposed of separately.

By following these steps and staying informed about your local recycling rules, you can help ensure that your plastics are properly prepared for recycling, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Check with your local recycler for specific guidelines

Recycling programs vary from community to community, so it's important to check with your local recycler to see what your area accepts. Your local program may have different rules, so it's always good to check before assuming an item is recyclable. For instance, your local recycling program may not accept all types of plastic.

You can check printed materials from your local government or recycling provider, or browse their website. If you have questions, you can also call your local government or recycling provider. Your community's recycling website is often the best place to find information on your specific program.

If your community does not have a composting recycling pick-up program that accepts compostable plastic, contact your garbage/recycling company or local government to find out if there are any drop-off locations for your compostable plastic items. Retail and grocery stores often accept plastic materials for recycling, so you can also check with your local store.

To avoid contamination, it's important to ensure that your plastics are clean and dry before dropping them off. This is because dirty or wet items can contaminate recycling. Food debris, in particular, cannot be recycled, so make sure to remove any food scraps and rinse or scrape off any residue.

Drop off your plastics at a designated location

If you're looking to start recycling plastic, one option is to drop off your plastics at a designated location. This method is ideal if you don't have access to curbside recycling services or want to recycle specific types of plastic that might not be accepted by your regular recycling collection.

First, collect the plastics you want to recycle. Soft plastics, such as plastic bags, wraps, and grocery bags, are commonly accepted at drop-off locations. Ensure that the plastics are clean and dry, as dirty or wet items can contaminate the recycling process. Mixing non-recyclable plastics with recyclable ones or attempting to recycle plastics with food residue can lead to problems and may even result in the plastics ending up in landfills instead of being recycled.

Next, find a drop-off location near you. Many grocery stores, retail chains, and big-box stores have collection bins for plastic bags and wraps, usually located near the entrance or customer service area. You can use online directories, such as the NexTrex Directory, to find a list of retail chains by state that accept plastic film for recycling. Additionally, some local recycling centres, front-of-store locations, or local recycling sites may also have designated drop-off bins for plastics.

Once you've found a drop-off location, simply take your collected and cleaned plastics and deposit them into the designated bins. There's no need to sort them further, as the recycling facility will process them together. These facilities use specialized equipment to sort, clean, shred, and melt down the plastics into pellets, which can then be used to create new products, such as synthetic lumber for decking or park benches, or recycled into new film, pouches, or bags.

Remember, not all plastics qualify for store drop-off recycling, so it's important to check with your local drop-off locations or refer to online resources to understand what specific types of plastic they accept. By dropping off your plastics at designated locations, you can ensure that they are properly recycled and contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet.

Frequently asked questions