Crunchy Plastic: Recyclable Or Not?

Plastic waste is a pressing issue for governments, environmentalists, and organizations, as the vast majority of plastics are disposed of in non-environmentally friendly ways. Plastic recycling is critical to improving the environment and enhancing waste management solutions. However, not all plastic is widely recyclable, and recycling policies vary from location to location. One type of plastic that often leaves people confused about its recyclability is crunchy plastic. So, is crunchy plastic recyclable? Let's find out.

Plastic bags are recyclable but not in your curbside bin

Plastic bags are recyclable, but not in your curbside bin. This is because plastic bags can contaminate the recycling system. When recyclable items are placed in a bag, they become impossible to sort, and the bagged items are pulled from the sorting line and sent to the landfill. The bags that do make it past the workers can get tangled in the sorting equipment, causing stoppages, or become mixed with other materials, reducing their value and recyclability.

However, plastic bags can be recycled at specific locations. Many grocers, retailers, and some communities provide separate collection bins for bags and films to be recycled independently from other recyclables. These include more than 32,000 stores in North America that accept plastic films with recycling ratings of #2 and #4 through the NexTrex Program. The Trex Company is the largest recycler of plastic film in North America and has diverted more than five billion pounds of discarded flexible plastics from landfills over the past three decades.

Plastic bags can also be recycled into composite decking. The Trex Company, for example, purchases returned consumer bags and film from grocery and retail stores in the US, making it the largest PE film recycler in the country. Additionally, the Washington Department of Ecology has launched a "Recycle Right" initiative to educate residents on improving the recycling system.

It is important to note that not all plastic bags are recyclable. For example, pre-washed salad bags and other crunchy-feeling bags, compostable or biodegradable bags, and chip bags are not recyclable. To determine if a plastic bag is recyclable, you can perform the "poke test." If you can poke your finger through the plastic, it is too flimsy and should not be recycled.

Plastic bags are a contaminant in recycling facilities

Plastic bags are a significant contributor to environmental pollution, with an estimated 730,000 tons generated in the United States in 2015, of which more than 87% ended up in landfills and the ocean. The plastic used in bags contains harmful chemicals, which have been linked to negative health effects, including cancers and immune system suppression. It takes an incredibly long time, up to 1000 years, for a plastic bag to degrade in a landfill, and even then, it doesn't break down completely, instead becoming microplastics that continue to pollute the environment.

To address this issue, some communities, grocers, and retailers provide specific collection bins for plastic bags and films, allowing for separate recycling from other materials. Additionally, some companies, like Trex, partner with stores to accept and recycle plastic films through dedicated programs. However, it is important to note that not all plastic bags are recyclable, and it is recommended to check the recycling guidelines in your municipality, as systems vary by location.

While recycling is an important part of the solution, reducing plastic consumption is the most effective way to address the problem. Reusable bags are a great alternative to single-use plastic bags, and initiatives like Plastic Free July encourage people to avoid single-use plastics for a month. By combining individual habit changes with policy changes at the local and international levels, we can make a significant impact on the plastic pollution crisis.

Overall, plastic bags are a contaminant in recycling facilities, and it is crucial to dispose of them properly and reduce their use whenever possible to protect the environment and our health.

Plastic bags can be recycled at drop-off locations

Plastic is a key environmental concern, as it can take 500-1000 years to biodegrade, leading to polluted oceans, overfilled landfills, and ecological damage. While the best option is to avoid using plastic bags altogether, plastic bags can be recycled at drop-off locations.

Plastic bags are not suitable for curbside recycling bins, as they are too flimsy and can be a nightmare for the machinery at recycling centers. However, many grocers, retailers, and communities provide specific collection bins for plastic bags to be recycled separately from other recyclables. These bins are usually located near the front entrance of stores.

It is important to ensure that any bags being recycled are clean, dry, and free of food residue, as contaminated bags cannot be recycled. This includes removing any receipts, stickers, or crumbs from inside the bags. Additionally, paper labels, tape, and adhesive strips should be removed if possible.

When recycling plastic bags, it is also crucial to check the plastic resin code. The general rule of thumb is that the lower the resin code, the more easily recyclable the plastic is. Most plastic bags are made from high-density polyethylene (#2 plastic) or low-density polyethylene (#4 plastic). These bags can be recycled at participating retail and local drop-off locations.

Some plastic bags, such as black plastic bags, are harder to recycle and may be omitted from store collection bins due to the dye used in the plastic. Other non-recyclable plastic bags include pre-washed salad bags, chip bags, compostable or biodegradable bags, and pet food bags.

Plastic film is recyclable

Recycling plastic film is important, as it saves between 8 and 23% of greenhouse gas emissions compared to manufacturing new plastic film. However, it is important to ensure that the plastic film is clean and dry before placing it in a recycling bin, as dirty plastic may not be recycled even if it is collected. Additionally, plastic film with food residue should not be recycled.

To determine if plastic film is recyclable, individuals can look for an equilateral triangle with resin codes 2 or 4 on the plastic. If the plastic film stretches, it is also likely to be recyclable. However, if the plastic tears like paper, it should not be recycled.

While plastic film is recyclable, it is important to note that not all plastic film packaging is accepted at all recycling centers. Some flexible packaging is made of multiple layers that are difficult to recycle or break down. Therefore, it is important to verify which types of plastic film are accepted at local recycling centers before dropping them off.

Plastic numbers indicate resin codes and recyclability

Plastic recycling is critical to improving the environment and bettering waste management solutions. Plastic can take hundreds of years to biodegrade, meaning it takes up landfill space and pollutes the ocean for longer. Recycling plastic can conserve limited natural resources and energy. However, not all plastic is widely recyclable.

Before being recycled, plastics are sorted according to their resin type, either manually or using mechanised automated processes, or even by colour. The numbers attributed to plastics are the plastic resin codes, which quickly show which type of plastic a product is. The numbers range from 1 to 7, with 7 being 'other'. The lower the resin code, the more likely the plastic type is to be easily recyclable.

The Resin Identification Code (RIC) is a technical standard with a set of symbols appearing on plastic products that identify the plastic resin out of which the product is made. It was developed in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry (now the Plastics Industry Association) in the United States. The RIC tells plastic manufacturers what type of plastic a container is made from, but doesn’t address the recyclability of the product. The RIC symbols are often mistaken for the recycling symbol, due to their resemblance. The "'chasing arrows' symbol" was originally designed in 1970 to inform people that a product was recyclable. A few years later, in the 1980s, plastic manufacturers started using a very similar symbol, with a number inside, known as the RIC.

There are two main ways to recycle plastic: mechanical recycling, where plastic is washed, ground, and melted, and chemical recycling, where plastic is broken down into monomers to form new polymers to be reused. Plastic bags are generally too dirty after their trip in the back of the recycling truck to be recycled, even if they are collected at the recycling facility. Most plastic bags are either resin code #2 or #4, and can be recycled at participating retail and local drop-off locations.

Frequently asked questions