Alexei Volkov
Plastic film is a thin, stretchy plastic commonly found in materials like grocery bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, and plastic shipping envelopes. Despite being such a common and abundant material, there is still a lot of confusion about how to recycle it. It is one of the most difficult plastics to recycle because it can tangle up sorting machinery in recycling facilities, and there is not much demand for it. In 2018, only 11% of plastic film in the US was recycled. However, new technologies and methods are being developed to improve the recycling of plastic film, and there is a growing movement towards sustainability and legislation to improve recycling processes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclability | Thin film polyethylene (#4 or #2) is recyclable |
| Difficulty in recycling | Plastic film is difficult to recycle because it can tangle up the sorting machinery in recycling facilities |
| Demand | There is not much demand for recycled plastic film |
| Curbside recycling | Plastic films aren't accepted in most curbside recycling bins |
| Drop-off locations | There are more than 18,000 drop-off locations across the U.S. and Canada, including many grocery stores |
| Cleanliness | Plastic film must be clean (no food residue) and dry before recycling |
| Use of recycled plastic film | Recycled plastic film can be used to make composite lumber for decks, fences, and other outdoor uses |
| Novel recycling techniques | MIT researchers have had success with a new system for recycling plastic film using a cobalt catalyst |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic film is difficult to recycle through curbside services
Plastic film is a common, thin, and stretchy plastic that is often used in grocery bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, and bread bags. While it is technically recyclable, it is difficult to recycle through curbside services due to several reasons.
Firstly, plastic film can cause issues with sorting machinery at recycling facilities. Its thin and stretchy properties mean it can easily tangle up the machinery, leading to many curbside recycling services refusing to accept it. This has resulted in the need for specific rules and infrastructure for collecting, sorting, and recycling plastic film. Many recycling programs advise residents not to place plastic bags or wrap in their curbside bins, instead directing them to store drop-off bins or specialty recyclers.
Secondly, there is a lack of demand for recycled plastic film. The low demand means that, despite its recyclability, many recyclers do not consider it worth the time and effort to process plastic film at scale. In 2018, only 11% of plastic film in the US was recycled, with the majority ending up in landfills or becoming litter. The low demand for recycled plastic film is concerning, given the widespread prevalence of this material in consumer products.
The challenges of recycling plastic film through curbside services have led to the development of alternative solutions. Some companies, like Ridwell, offer pick-up services for plastic film, ensuring it is properly recycled. Additionally, there are over 18,000 drop-off locations across the US and Canada, often at grocery stores, where consumers can take their plastic film for recycling.
While these options exist, the ambiguity and complexity surrounding plastic film recycling persist. Consumers are often unsure about how to properly recycle plastic film, leading to potential contamination of other recyclables. To address this, organizations like the Film & Flexibles Recycling Coalition are working to improve recovery methods and public education on film recycling.
Furthermore, advancements in recycling technologies offer promising solutions. For example, MIT researchers have developed a system that uses a cobalt catalyst to break down plastic polymers into propane, which can then be used as fuel or to create new plastics. Such innovations could revolutionize the recycling industry and improve the recyclability of plastic film.
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Plastic film can be recycled into composite decking
Plastic film is a thin and stretchy type of plastic commonly found in materials like grocery bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, and newspaper sleeves. It is one of the most difficult plastics to recycle due to its ability to tangle sorting machinery and its low demand in the recycled market. In 2018, only 11% of plastic film in the US was recycled.
However, plastic film can be recycled into composite decking through companies like Trex, which uses a blend of up to 95% recycled plastic film and reclaimed sawdust. Trex is one of the largest recyclers of polyethylene film in North America and has been recognised for its commitment to sustainability. The company offers a recycling program where participants collect plastic film with the goal of recycling a minimum of 1,000 pounds of plastic in a year. If successful, the group is awarded a Trex bench made from recycled composite decking.
Trex's composite decking is made from recycled grocery bags and other plastic film products, such as sandwich bags and dry cleaner bags. The company also uses locally sourced reclaimed wood that would otherwise end up in landfills. By using reclaimed sawdust, Trex ensures that no trees are cut down in the manufacturing process.
Overall, plastic film can be successfully recycled into composite decking, providing a sustainable solution for materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. This process helps extend the lifespan of plastic and wood, contributing to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
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Plastic film recycling is confusing for many people
The ambiguity around plastic film recycling means that it often ends up in curbside bins, which can contaminate the recycling stream. To avoid this, many municipalities have implemented store drop-off bins specifically for plastic film. However, the scarcity of these bins and the lack of public knowledge about plastic film recycling have led to low recycling rates. For example, in 2018, only 11% of plastic film in the US was recycled.
Some companies, like Ridwell, are trying to make plastic film recycling more accessible by offering pick-up services and transparent information about where the recycled materials go. Other companies, like Trex, are finding new ways to use recycled plastic film, such as composite decking for homes.
There are also emerging technologies that could revolutionize plastic film recycling. For example, MIT researchers have developed a new system for recycling plastic film using a cobalt catalyst, which breaks down the plastic into molecules of propane that can be used as fuel or to make new plastics.
While plastic film recycling is challenging, there are ongoing efforts to improve the process and increase public awareness. These include public and private collaborative programs, the development of new recycling technologies, and the optimization of existing systems by organizations like the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the Film & Flexibles Recycling Coalition.
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Plastic film can be recycled at certain drop-off locations
Plastic film is a thin and stretchy type of plastic commonly found in materials like grocery bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, and plastic shipping envelopes. It is challenging to recycle plastic film through standard single-stream recycling systems due to its tendency to tangle in sorting machinery. As a result, it is often excluded from curbside recycling programs.
However, plastic film can be recycled at specific drop-off locations. These drop-off sites are typically found in front of or inside supermarkets or large retailers. The Wrap Recycling Action Program (WRAP), an initiative launched by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), aims to increase awareness about the recyclability of plastic films and has established drop-off bins in various locations.
It is important to ensure that the plastic film is clean and dry before placing it in the recycling bin. Some programs, like Ridwell, offer doorstep pickup services, making it more convenient for individuals to recycle their plastic film.
The recycled plastic film can be upcycled into various useful products, such as composite decking for homes, composite lumber for decks and benches, and small pellets for creating new bags, pallets, containers, and pipes.
While plastic film recycling faces challenges, ongoing efforts, including public-private collaborations, aim to improve recycling technologies, develop more recyclable materials, and educate consumers about proper recycling methods.
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Plastic film recycling is evolving with new technologies
Plastic film is a thin and stretchy type of plastic commonly found in materials like grocery bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, and plastic shipping envelopes. It is one of the most challenging plastics to recycle due to its tendency to tangle in recycling equipment and the lack of demand for it as a recycled material. However, new technologies and initiatives are evolving the plastic film recycling landscape.
One of the primary challenges in recycling plastic film is its physical properties. Plastic film tends to get tangled in the sorting machinery at recycling facilities, leading to many curbside recycling services excluding it from their accepted materials. This has resulted in consumers having to take plastic film to specific drop-off locations, which are often located inside or in front of supermarkets or big-box retailers. However, the number of these sites decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there are concerns about contamination with other materials, reducing the likelihood of the plastic film being recycled.
To address the challenges of plastic film recycling, various initiatives and technologies have emerged. The Wrap Recycling Action Program (WRAP), launched by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) in 2013, aims to raise awareness about the recyclability of plastic films. The ACC has also invested in curbside recycling pilots for certain types of film and forged coalitions to improve public education on film recycling. Additionally, companies like Ridwell offer doorstep pickup services for plastic film, partnering with recyclers like Trex to convert it into composite decking for homes.
Beyond collection and awareness initiatives, emerging advanced recycling technologies are expanding the ways to reuse plastic film packaging. For example, researchers from MIT's Department of Chemical Engineering have developed a system that treats mixed recycled plastic with a microporous material containing cobalt. This process breaks down the plastic polymers, converting them into propane, which can be used as fuel or to create new plastics. This innovative approach has achieved an 80% conversion rate using readily available materials.
While plastic film recycling faces challenges, the development and implementation of new technologies offer promising solutions. These advancements, coupled with increased public commitment to sustainability and evolving recycling infrastructure, are crucial steps toward achieving ambitious goals, such as America's Plastic Makers' target of reusing, recycling, or recovering 100% of U.S. plastic packaging by 2040.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic film is a thin and stretchy plastic material commonly found in grocery bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, and bread bags.
Plastic film is difficult to recycle because it can tangle up sorting machinery in recycling facilities. There is also not much demand for recycled plastic film, so it is often not considered worth the time and effort to recycle at scale.
Plastic film can be recycled through in-store or speciality drop-off bins, which can be found in many grocery stores. It is important to ensure that the plastic film is clean and dry before placing it in the recycling bin.
Recycled plastic film can be upcycled into many useful products, such as composite lumber for decks, fences, and other outdoor uses. It can also be reprocessed into small pellets, which can be made into new bags, pallets, containers, and pipes.
The future of plastic film recycling involves improving end markets through legislation and sustainability goal-setting, as well as developing new recycling technologies. There is also a focus on reducing the use of plastic film and replacing it with more sustainable alternatives.
