Sofia Martinez
Plastic recycling is a complex process, and the chasing arrows symbol on plastic products does not necessarily indicate that an item can be recycled. The number within the symbol is a Resin Identification Code (RIC) that tells manufacturers what kind of plastic they are using and consumers how to recycle it. Number 5 plastics, or polypropylene, are particularly hard and heat-resistant, and are often used in prescription medicine bottles, yoghurt cups, and personal care products. While they were widely accepted in recycling centres before China's National Sword policy was introduced in 2018, they are now harder to recycle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Type | Polypropylene, commonly known as Number 5 Plastic |
| Other Names | PP, PVC |
| Resin Identification Code | 5 |
| Recyclability | Recyclable but not widely accepted by local municipalities |
| Common Uses | Prescription medicine bottles, yoghurt cups, hummus tubs, single-use cutlery, deodorant, lotion, shampoo bottles |
| Properties | Hard, heat-resistant, durable, not easily impacted by sunlight, water or other harsh conditions |
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What You'll Learn
- Number 5 plastics are made from polypropylene, often shortened to PP
- PP is hard, heat-resistant, and used in medicine bottles, tubs, and personal care products
- PP can be recycled, but it's not easy to find a recycling program that accepts it
- In the US, number 5 plastics are particularly challenging to recycle
- Number 5 plastics were widely accepted in recycling centers before China's 2018 National Sword policy
Number 5 plastics are made from polypropylene, often shortened to PP
Plastic products are usually labelled with a number, which is placed within a triangle, indicating the grade of the plastic and how it should be recycled. Number 5 plastics are made from polypropylene, often shortened to PP. This type of plastic is known for its hardness and heat resistance. It is used in the manufacture of a wide range of products, including food containers (e.g. yoghurt pots and margarine tubs), straws, rope, carpet, bottle caps, prescription medicine bottles, hummus tubs, single-use cutlery, and packaging for personal care products such as deodorant, shampoo, and lotion.
While the number 5 label indicates the type of plastic, it does not necessarily mean that the product is recyclable. Plastic recycling is becoming increasingly challenging, especially for number 5 plastics. In the United States, number 5 plastics cannot be recycled through standard curbside or drop-off locations, and they must be mailed in for recycling at a cost. However, some local solid waste districts may offer alternative options for recycling number 5 plastics, so it is worth checking with your local provider.
In Australia, number 5 plastics were previously accepted in both curbside and drop-off recycling centres. However, since China's National Sword policy was introduced in 2018, which stopped the acceptance of contaminated plastic waste for recycling, number 5 plastics have become more challenging to recycle. Despite these challenges, some curbside and drop-off programs are reintroducing number 5 rigid plastic recycling, although films and bags remain problematic.
It is important to note that recycling codes are not the only indicator of a product's recyclability. The chasing arrows symbol, known as the Resin Identification Code (RIC), informs manufacturers of the type of plastic but does not indicate whether the product can be recycled in your community. As such, consumers should not assume that products with the arrows symbol are recyclable, as this is one of the most common misconceptions about recycling.
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PP is hard, heat-resistant, and used in medicine bottles, tubs, and personal care products
Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer that is rigid, tough, flexible, and heat-resistant. It is the second-most widely produced commodity plastic, and its versatility has led to it being known as the 'steel' of the plastic industry. PP is used in a wide range of applications, including plastic packaging, machinery parts, textiles, and electrical goods.
One of the unique properties of PP is its high resistance to chemicals compared to other plastics such as polyethylene. It can resist many organic solvents, acids, and alkalines, although it is susceptible to attack from oxidizing agents. PP also has good tensile strength, enabling it to withstand heavy loads despite being lightweight. Additionally, it is highly impermeable to water.
PP's heat resistance and durability make it suitable for use in medicine bottles, tubs, and personal care products. Its high chemical resistance and impermeability to water make it ideal for containing liquids or powders, such as those found in pharmacy prescription bottles. PP is also used in plastic pails, car batteries, wastebaskets, cooler containers, dishes, and pitchers.
While PP is a safe finished product, it is not considered very eco-friendly due to the difficulties in recycling it. However, items made from PP can be reused and are durable enough to resist normal wear and tear for several uses. PP is marked as a Code 5 plastic, which is a type of plastic that can usually be recycled by local councils.
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PP can be recycled, but it's not easy to find a recycling program that accepts it
Polypropylene (PP), or #5 plastic, is a hard and heat-resistant plastic used in a variety of products, including food containers, personal care products, and packaging. While PP can be recycled, it is not always accepted by local recycling programs, and finding a recycling centre that accepts it can be challenging.
The recycling process for plastics is complex, and not all types of plastic are equally recyclable. PP is one of the harder plastics to recycle, and its acceptance by recycling centres varies. Before 2018, #5 plastics were widely accepted by curbside and drop-off recycling centres. However, after China's National Sword policy was implemented, many centres stopped accepting contaminated plastic waste, including #5 plastics.
Some curbside and drop-off programs have recently started reintroducing #5 rigid plastic recycling, but films and bags remain a problem. There are also a few mail-in options available for recycling PP, such as the All-in-One Zero Waste Box offered by TerraCycle, which accepts any material, including #5 plastics. However, these options can be expensive, with fees ranging from $92 to $241 for the smallest sizes.
It is essential to check with local solid waste districts or recycling centres to determine if they accept #5 plastics before attempting to recycle them. Additionally, it is worth noting that the recycling symbol on plastic products does not necessarily indicate that an item can be recycled by your local community. The symbol and number indicate the type of plastic and are known as the Resin Identification Code (RIC).
To ensure that PP products are recycled properly, individuals should research their local options and separate their PP waste accordingly. By doing so, we can help keep these plastics out of landfills and reduce our environmental impact.
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In the US, number 5 plastics are particularly challenging to recycle
Plastic recycling in the US is becoming increasingly challenging, especially for number 5 plastics. Number 5 plastics are typically hard and heat-resistant polypropylene, often shortened to PP. They are used in a wide range of products, including prescription medicine bottles, yoghurt cups, hummus tubs, single-use cutlery, and packaging for personal care products like deodorant, lotion, or shampoo.
The recycling symbol on plastic products, known as the Resin Identification Code (RIC), indicates the type of plastic but does not specify whether the item can be recycled in your community. Number 5 plastics were once widely accepted in both curbside and drop-off recycling centres. However, since China's National Sword policy was introduced in 2018, which stopped the acceptance of contaminated plastic waste for recycling, number 5 plastics have become more challenging to recycle.
While some curbside and drop-off programs have reintroduced number 5 rigid plastic recycling, films and bags remain problematic. These types of plastics can get tangled in recycling equipment and are often not accepted by local recycling centres. Individuals must check with their local solid waste district to find suitable recycling options for these plastics.
There are some organisations and companies that offer alternative recycling solutions for number 5 plastics. For example, the international humanitarian aid organisation, Mathew 25: Ministries, accepts clean, empty pill bottles, including prescription medicine bottles. Additionally, TerraCycle offers fee-based recycling programs for various materials, including number 5 plastics, which can be mailed to their facility.
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Number 5 plastics were widely accepted in recycling centers before China's 2018 National Sword policy
Number 5 plastics are recyclable and are usually accepted by local councils for recycling. However, the acceptance of these plastics at recycling centres changed after China's 2018 National Sword policy.
The National Sword policy, first introduced in 2017, was a policy initiative by the Chinese government to monitor and more stringently review recyclable waste imports. By 1 January 2018, China had banned 24 categories of solid waste and stopped importing plastic waste with a contamination level above 0.5%. This ban included plastics, which were previously accepted at recycling centres.
Before the policy, China was importing the majority of recyclables from North America and Europe for two decades. This practice brought raw materials for China's growing industrial capacity, but it also resulted in a large amount of contaminated recyclables, causing environmental concerns such as air and water pollution. The National Sword policy was an attempt to decrease the importation of low-quality plastics that were challenging to sort and recycle, ending up in trash dumps.
The impact of the policy was significant, with a 23.2% increase in the quantity of plastic landfilled in the US. The policy also encouraged the Western world to turn to other countries, such as Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, for waste disposal. However, by early 2019, many Southeast Asian countries also started to reject the waste. This rejection of waste by China and other countries highlighted the need for improved recycling practices and policies in the US and other Western countries.
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Frequently asked questions
Code 5 plastic, also known as polypropylene, is a type of plastic that is hard and heat resistant. It is often used in prescription medicine bottles, yoghurt cups, hummus tubs, single-use cutlery, and some packaging for personal care products.
Code 5 plastic is recyclable, but it may not be accepted by your local recycling centre or municipality. Before China's National Sword policy in 2018, code 5 plastics were widely accepted in both curbside and drop-off recycling centres. Now, it is best to check with your local solid waste district to see what the options are in your region.
One option is to find a company that specialises in recycling hard-to-recycle materials, such as TerraCycle. They offer free and fee-based recycling programs for a variety of home and personal care products, which can be mailed to them. Another option is to look for grocery stores or other organisations that collect plastic for proper recycling.
