Alexei Volkov
Plastic recycling is critical to improving the environment and bettering waste management solutions. The UK produces more plastic waste per person than almost any other nation, with 90 billion pieces of plastic thrown away by households every year. While nearly all types of plastics can be recycled, the extent to which they are recycled depends on technical, economic, and logistic factors. The UK's recycling rates have improved over the years, with nearly all councils providing plastic recycling collections, and many supermarkets now offering front-of-store recycling services for plastic bags and wrapping.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic waste in the UK | 90 billion pieces of plastic thrown away by UK households every year |
| UK ranking in plastic waste | Produces more plastic waste per person than almost any other nation, second only to the US |
| Portion of plastic waste recycled | 42% of household plastic waste is collected for recycling |
| Plastic resin code | Number surrounded by triangular arrows stamped or embossed on packaging, denoting the category of plastic the product is made of |
| OPRL | On-pack recycling label, provides information on how to recycle packaging |
| Natural rHDPE | Highest-value recycled plastic on the market, can be turned into milk bottles |
| Coloured rHDPE | Can be turned into pipes and building materials |
| Clear PET bottles | Simplest for recyclers as they can be identified as food-grade plastic and turned back into plastic drink bottles |
| UK Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) | Consumers can receive a small cash sum for returning plastic bottles and aluminium cans to specific points |
| Plastic bags and wrapping recycling | Available at supermarkets in the UK |
| Plastic recycling process | Sorting, cleaning, shredding into flakes or melt-processing to form pellets, then moulding into new products |
| Recyclability of plastic types | Depends on how they are made; thermoset plastics cannot be recycled, while thermoplastics can be remelted and remoulded |
| Non-recyclable plastics | Bioplastics, composite plastic, plastic-coated wrapping paper, polycarbonate, cling film, blister packaging |
| Plastic recycling benefits | Conserves natural resources and energy, reduces environmental impact, saves costs |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling plastic bags and wrapping
Plastic bags and wrapping can be recycled and used to make a range of new plastic products, such as plastic packaging, 'bags for life', boxes, bins, and agricultural and construction materials. This reduces the reliance on virgin plastic. The UK Plastics Pact aims for supermarkets to provide widespread collection points for plastic bags and wrapping, with the goal of collecting 10% of the material placed on the market by the end of 2022.
While it used to be challenging to recycle plastic bags and wrapping, most supermarkets now offer a front-of-store recycling service for this packaging. Some also accept pet food and baby food pouches, as well as salad bags. However, it's important to note that not all plastic is widely recyclable, and some materials may not have recycling solutions beyond the trial stage.
To recycle plastic bags and wrapping, it is recommended to keep them until you have collected a full bag before putting them in your recycling bin. Reading Borough Council, for instance, provides blue collection bags for this purpose. It is important to ensure that the bags are tied securely and placed inside your recycling bin.
Additionally, you can check with your local authority or use online tools like the Recycling Locator to find out which types of plastic they collect. Many local authorities now offer collections for mixed plastics packaging, such as pots, tubs, and trays, in addition to plastic bottles.
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Plastic resin codes
- PET or PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate) plastic code 1: This plastic is used for clear drinks bottles, food packaging, and textile fibres (polyester). PET is the most commonly used plastic globally and is easily recyclable.
- HDPE (High-density polyethylene) plastic code 2: This plastic is used for milk bottles, shampoo bottles, and cleaning product bottles. HDPE is extremely strong and durable, and it is also recyclable.
- PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) plastic code 3: This plastic is used for window frames, drainage pipes, shower curtains, clothing, toys, and large squash bottles. PVC is not generally collected from households for recycling.
- LDPE (Low-density polyethylene) plastic code 4: This plastic is used for carrier bags, some bottles and containers, and yokes holding multipacks of cans together. LDPE is not generally collected from households for recycling, but some supermarkets collect and recycle carrier bags.
- PP (Polypropylene) plastic code 5: This plastic is used for soup pots, margarine tubs, bottle tops, waterproof clothing, and carrier bags. PP is not typically collected for household recycling, but mixed plastic recycling initiatives are expanding.
- PS (Polystyrene) plastic code 6: This plastic is used for takeaway cups, yoghurt pots, and cushioning in packaging. PS is not usually recycled in the UK, but some councils accept it at waste recycling centres.
- Other plastics: Code 7 is used for plastics that do not fall into the previous categories, including acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate, bioplastics, and plastic combinations.
While plastic resin codes provide information about the type of plastic, they do not always indicate whether the packaging can be recycled. It is often more helpful to look for the OPRL (on-pack recycling label) or other recycling information to determine how to properly dispose of plastic packaging.
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Plastic bottles
However, it's important to note that less than 30% of plastic bottles are recycled in the US, and most are "downcycled". Downcycling occurs when a material is remade into an item of lower quality that cannot be recycled again, which shortens an item's overall life cycle. For example, PET bottles are often downcycled into fibre or wood replacements instead of being recycled into new bottles.
In the UK, 99% of local authorities offer collection facilities for plastic bottles through household recycling collections or at recycling centres. Many supermarkets also offer front-of-store recycling services for plastic bags and wrapping. However, it's important to note that complex, multi-layered packaging that contains different materials such as metal and plastic film is harder to recycle than packaging made from a single material.
To recycle plastic bottles correctly, you can use online tools such as the Recycling Locator to check which types of plastic your local authority collects. You can also take your plastic bottles to a recycling factory, where they will be dry-cleaned, sorted, ground into flakes, washed, sorted again, decontaminated or melted down, and then turned into new products.
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Recycling rates in the UK
The UK's recycling rates have been a cause for concern, with the country lagging behind its European counterparts. In 2022, the overall UK household waste recycling rate was 44.1%, a slight decrease from 44.6% in 2021. England's performance was particularly disappointing, with a recycling rate of 43.4% in 2022, while Scotland recycled 42.1% of its waste, the lowest in the UK. Wales led the way with a recycling rate of 56.9%, followed by Northern Ireland at 49.2%.
The UK government had set a target of recycling 50% of household waste by 2020, which has not been met. The country's recycling rate falls short of the EU average of 49%, with Germany leading the way at 68% in 2021. The UK's recycling system faces challenges, with reports of a buildup of litter and fly-tipping.
While overall recycling rates in the UK have shown a slight decline, there are positive signs in the recycling of specific materials. For instance, the recycling of plastic bottles has improved, with 99% of UK local authorities offering collection facilities for plastic bottles through household recycling or at recycling centres. Additionally, local authorities are increasingly collecting mixed plastics packaging, such as pots, tubs, and trays.
The recycling of packaging waste has also shown progress, with 62.4% and 64.8% of UK packaging waste being recycled in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Paper and cardboard had the highest recycling rate in 2023 at 73.4%, followed by metal at 71.2% and glass at 67.8%.
Despite these improvements, there are still concerns about the amount of plastic waste generated in the UK. The country produces more plastic waste per person than almost any other nation, second only to the US. It is estimated that UK households throw away 90 billion pieces of plastic annually. Efforts to improve plastic recycling include the UK Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans, where consumers can receive a small refund for returning their containers to specific points.
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The challenges of recycling plastic
Plastic waste is a major concern for environmentalists, governments, and organisations, as the majority of plastics are disposed of in ways that harm the environment. Recycling plastic is critical to improving the environment and bettering waste management solutions. However, there are several challenges to recycling plastic.
Firstly, not all types of plastic are widely recyclable. For example, thin plastic bags or films can clog recycling machines if not separated properly, so they are often not accepted by kerbside collections. Some plastics, such as bioplastics, composite plastics, plastic-coated wrapping paper, and polycarbonate, are not recyclable at all. The recyclability of plastic also depends on technical, economic, and logistic factors, as well as the way it was made. For instance, thermoset plastics contain polymers that form irreversible chemical bonds and cannot be recycled, whereas thermoplastics can be remelted and remoulded.
Secondly, the recycling process for plastic can be complex and time-consuming. Plastics must be sorted according to their resin type, either manually or using automated processes, and then cleaned to remove any contaminants. They are then shredded into flakes or melt-processed to form pellets before being moulded into new products. This process requires specialised equipment and infrastructure, which may not be available in all areas.
Additionally, there is a lack of standardised recycling practices across different regions and countries. The UK, for example, has a published set of recycling figures that do not appear to match the claimed behaviour of its citizens. This discrepancy between reported and actual behaviour can hinder the effectiveness of plastic recycling initiatives and make it difficult to compare recycling rates between countries.
Lastly, there is a challenge of consumer education and participation in plastic recycling. While many people intend to recycle plastic, they may not know how to properly recycle different types of plastic or which types of plastic are accepted by their local recycling programs. This can lead to contamination or improper disposal, reducing the overall effectiveness of plastic recycling efforts.
Overall, while recycling plastic is important for improving the environment, there are several challenges that must be addressed to increase the effectiveness and accessibility of plastic recycling practices. These challenges include the varying recyclability of different plastic types, the complexity of the recycling process, standardised practices, and consumer education and participation. By addressing these challenges, we can work towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for plastic waste management.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic can take up to 1000 years to biodegrade, so recycling plastic conserves natural resources and energy.
Plastic bottles are usually made from two types of plastic that are easy to recycle: PET and HDPE. Clear PET bottles are the simplest for recyclers as they can be turned back into food-grade plastic bottles.
Many flexible plastics are very hard to recycle, such as crisp packets, salad bags, and plastic wrap.
Nearly all UK councils provide plastics recycling collection. You can check which types of plastic your local authority collects by entering your postcode into a Recycling Locator tool.
A wide range of products can be made from recycled plastic, including pipes, building materials, and new plastic bottles.
