Ethan Clarke
Plastic film is a thin, stretchy plastic commonly found in materials like grocery bags, bubble wrap, Ziploc bags, dry cleaning bags, and plastic shipping envelopes. Due to its physical properties, it is difficult to recycle without specialized equipment, and it often ends up in landfills or contaminating other recyclables. However, some companies are working on innovative solutions, such as composite decking, and new technologies are being developed to capture and recycle more plastic film. While recycling infrastructure and demand for recycled plastic film pose challenges, there is a growing emphasis on reducing, reusing, and recycling this prevalent material.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclability | Plastic films can be recycled but not at most recycling centers that collect materials from curbside |
| Recycling process | Plastic films can be recycled into durable plastic or composite lumber for decks, fences, and other outdoor uses |
| Challenges | Plastic films are thin, flimsy, and stretchy, making them difficult to process for standard single-stream recycling systems; they can tangle the mechanisms and jam the machines used to sort recyclables |
| Curbside recycling | Plastic films are not accepted in most curbside recycling bins; they contaminate other recyclables and can cause the entire load to be unusable for recycling |
| Store drop-off | Some retailers offer in-store drop-off programs for plastic films, but these programs may have specific requirements and limitations |
| Specialty recyclers | Specialty recyclers that process plastic films exist, but they may require consumers to drive to drop-off locations, which can be inaccessible for some |
| Demand | There is a low demand for recycled plastic film, which reduces the incentive for large-scale recycling |
| Contamination | Plastic films are susceptible to contamination from food, liquids, and other materials, reducing the likelihood of successful recycling |
| Labels | Labels such as How2Recycle and Smart Label help consumers identify how and where to recycle plastic films |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic films are not accepted in most curbside recycling bins
- Plastic films can be recycled into composite decking or other outdoor uses
- Plastic films are difficult to recycle without specialised equipment
- Store drop-off programs are designed to bypass curbside bins
- Plastic films are contaminated by other materials at drop-off sites
Plastic films are not accepted in most curbside recycling bins
Plastic films are lightweight, thin, and stretchy, which makes them useful for packaging. However, these same characteristics also make them difficult to recycle without specialized equipment. Most standard single-stream recycling systems cannot process plastic films, which is why they are not accepted in most curbside recycling bins.
The thin and stretchy nature of plastic films means that they can tangle up the sorting machinery in recycling facilities, causing the entire load to be unusable for recycling. This is a significant issue, as it can endanger workers who have to clean out the equipment at the materials sorting facility.
In addition, there is not much demand for recycled plastic film, so it is often not considered worth the time and effort to recycle at scale. In 2018, only 11% of plastic film in the US was recycled. This lack of demand means that even if plastic films are collected in recycling bins, they may not actually be recycled and may instead be sent to landfills.
To recycle plastic films properly, consumers typically need to drop them off at specialty recyclers or retailer-sponsored programs that collect plastic films in their stores. However, these drop-off sites may not always be easily accessible, and there is a risk of contamination with other materials, further reducing the likelihood of the plastic film being recycled.
To determine if a plastic film can be recycled, consumers can look for resin codes 2 or 4 on the packaging or scan the Smart Label for guidance on where and how to recycle flexible films.
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Plastic films can be recycled into composite decking or other outdoor uses
Plastic films are not always accepted by recycling centers and often end up in landfills. However, they can be recycled into composite decking or other outdoor uses, such as fences. Composite decking is made from a blend of recycled plastic film and reclaimed wood, which helps to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Recycling plastic films into composite decking is a sustainable solution as it gives plastic and wood a new lease of life. The process involves taking recycled plastic film and combining it with reclaimed sawdust or wood to create a durable material that can be used for decking, fencing, or other outdoor applications. This helps to reduce the demand for new plastic and wood products, preserving natural resources and reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing.
One of the largest recyclers of plastic films and composite decking manufacturers is Trex. Trex uses recycled plastic film from sources such as grocery bags, retail bags, and packaging wraps to create their composite decking products. They have been recognized for their commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible practices, receiving awards such as the Indiana Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence and the Lowe's Sustainability Award.
To recycle plastic films into composite decking, it is important to ensure that the plastic is clean and dry, free from contaminants such as food residue, tape, and other materials. Some recyclers, such as NexTrex, allow for small amounts of paper and non-PE plastic, but do not accept metal components or substances with grease, dirt, or oil. Properly sorting and preparing plastic films for recycling ensures that they can be successfully remanufactured into new products.
While recycling plastic films into composite decking is a positive step towards sustainability, it is also important to reduce the use of plastic packaging and find alternative solutions whenever possible. This can include eliminating plastic wraps around fruits or vegetables, redesigning containers to reduce the need for outer plastic film layers, or opting for reusable options instead of single-use plastic packaging. By reducing our reliance on plastic, we can minimize the environmental impact of plastic waste and promote a more sustainable future.
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Plastic films are difficult to recycle without specialised equipment
Plastic films are lightweight, thin, and stretchy, which makes them useful for packaging. However, these same characteristics also make them difficult to recycle without specialised equipment.
Due to their flimsy nature, plastic films can tangle in the machinery at standard single-stream recycling systems, causing the mechanisms to jam. This issue can be dangerous, as workers must put themselves at risk to clean out the equipment. Consequently, most recycling centres do not accept plastic films, and they often end up in landfills.
The thin and stretchy properties of plastic films also present challenges for recycling bins. Plastic films can fly into the air and get stuck in the machinery at material recovery facilities (MRFs), causing operational disruptions.
The recycling process is further complicated by the fact that some plastic films are made of multiple layers, which are difficult to recycle or break down. Additionally, contamination is a significant issue. Plastic films are often contaminated with food or liquids, or other materials, reducing the likelihood that they will be recycled.
However, there are specialised recyclers that can process plastic films. For example, Trex, one of the largest recyclers of plastic films, uses plastic films to create composite decking for homes. Other companies use recycled plastic to make new packaging, which can often be recycled again.
While plastic films are challenging to recycle without specialised equipment, advancements in technology and the development of alternative collection systems are improving the recyclability of plastic films.
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Store drop-off programs are designed to bypass curbside bins
Plastic films, bags, and wraps are thin, flimsy, and often stretchy, making them difficult to process using standard single-stream recycling systems. As a result, they are not accepted in most curbside recycling bins and typically end up in landfills.
To address this issue, store drop-off programs, such as the How2Recycle program, have emerged as an alternative collection method. These programs are retailer-sponsored and allow consumers to collect and bring specific types of plastic films to participating stores for recycling. The bins are usually located near the front of the store, making them easily accessible.
The advantage of store drop-off programs is that they receive only plastic bags and similar materials, simplifying the sorting process. The collected plastics are then baled and sold to independent companies for recycling. This process transforms the plastic films into tiny plastic pellets, which can be used to create synthetic lumber for decking, park benches, or new plastic packaging.
It is important to note that not all plastic films are compatible with store drop-off streams, and contamination can be an issue. Consumers should look for specific labels, such as the How2Recycle Store Drop-Off label or the Smart Label, to determine which plastic films can be recycled through these programs.
Additionally, there are other initiatives, like Bin Bypass, designed to provide a more effective way for urban recyclers to collect containers and return them to collection points. These initiatives aim to reduce waste collection volumes and provide benefits to local residents, such as less rummaging in their bins and fewer instances of bin-diving.
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Plastic films are contaminated by other materials at drop-off sites
Plastic films are lightweight and thin, which means they can fly into the air and get stuck in recycling machinery, causing lines to halt. This is why they are not accepted in most curbside recycling bins. Instead, they are taken to drop-off sites, such as those available at retail stores and municipal drop-off locations.
However, plastic films are often contaminated by other materials at these drop-off sites. Critics of the take-back programs complain about high levels of contamination, which can render the contents of the bins unacceptable for recycling. For example, when different resins mix, the characteristics of the polymers change, which can prevent a particular resin from operating as intended.
To reduce the risk of contamination, plastics should be sorted by resin type. This allows materials to be recycled continuously. Labels, such as the How2Recycle label and Smart Label, exist to help consumers know how and where to recycle different materials. The How2Recycle label is a third-party, standardized labeling system that provides clear recycling instructions to the public. The Smart Label is a QR code that provides information on recycling, as well as other details that consumers may want to know.
In addition, consumers can take steps to ensure their plastic films are clean and dry before dropping them off for recycling. This helps to prevent contamination and ensures that the plastic films can be recycled effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
No, not all plastic films can be recycled. Plastic films are difficult to recycle without specialized equipment. They can tangle the mechanisms and jam the machines used to sort recyclables.
If the plastic film is stretchy and has an equilateral triangle with resin codes 2 or 4 on it, it can be recycled. You can also look for the How2Recycle Store Drop-Off label or scan the Smart Label on the package for guidance on where and how to recycle flexible films.
Plastic films are not accepted in most curbside recycling bins. You can drop off plastic films at specialty recyclers or at stores that offer in-store recycling programs. Some municipalities also provide flexible film collection bins in public parking lots or community centers.
Recycled plastic films can be used to create durable plastic or composite lumber for decks, fences, and other outdoor uses. Some companies also use recycled plastic to make new packaging that can often be recycled again.
