Omar Khalid
Plastic clamshells are a common packaging material, often used for fresh produce, baked goods, retail products, and shipping trays. While they are technically recyclable, they are not always recycled. Clamshells are made from Polyethylene-terephthalate (PET), which is one of the most recyclable plastics. However, the process of making clamshells, called thermoforming, results in a different grade of PET compared to bottles and jugs, which are made through blow molding. This means that clamshells have different properties, such as melting at a different temperature, breaking into different-sized chips, and being lighter and flatter, which makes them harder to sort and recycle. As a result, many recycling programs do not accept clamshells, and they often end up in landfills. However, there are some facilities that do recycle clamshells, and proper disposal and recycling habits can increase the chances of clamshells being recycled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclability | Technically recyclable but few are recycled in the U.S. |
| Plastic type | Polyethylene-terephthalate, or PET for short |
| Plastic grade | Different grades of PET are used for different products |
| Manufacturing process | Thermoforming |
| Density | Different density to plastic bottles |
| Melting point | Different to other plastics |
| Adhesives | Strong adhesives are hard to get off |
| Sorting | Difficult to differentiate from other plastics |
| Contamination | Food waste and oils can contaminate other materials |
| Accepting for recycling | Not all recycling programs accept clamshells |
| Consumer action | Check with your local recycling facility |
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What You'll Learn
- Clamshells are hard to differentiate from other plastics at recycling facilities
- They contaminate PET bales, reducing their purity and market value
- Clamshells are made using a different process than bottles, resulting in different grades of PET
- Clamshells melt at a different temperature than other plastics, creating ash that can ruin an entire batch
- Consumers can play a role by rinsing clamshells and checking with local recycling programs
Clamshells are hard to differentiate from other plastics at recycling facilities
Plastic clamshells are a tricky material to recycle. They are made of a material that is easy to recycle in theory but remarkably challenging in practice. Clamshells are usually made of Polyethylene-terephthalate, or PET, the most commonly recycled plastic in the world. However, clamshells are an exception to the rule that materials with a #1 symbol are accepted by curbside recycling services.
Clamshells are difficult to differentiate from other plastics at recycling facilities. When processed at material recovery facilities (MRFs), operators and sorting equipment struggle to distinguish clamshells from other similarly shaped containers made of different plastics. As a result, the final PET bales are "contaminated" with plastic clamshells, and the recycling facilities lose money by dealing with lesser-quality PET plastic. Many recycling programs and MRFs won't accept clamshells for recycling, even though they are made of recyclable PET plastic.
The unique characteristics of clamshells contribute to the challenge of recycling them. Clamshells break into different-sized chips compared to plastic bottles, melt at a different temperature, and often have strong adhesives that are difficult to remove. These factors make it undesirable for recycling facilities to process clamshells alongside #1 PET bottles, as it compromises the quality of the end product.
Additionally, clamshells are inherently difficult to sort once they reach the recycling facility. Their lightweight nature causes them to behave like paper on the sorting conveyor belt, making it challenging to separate them from other materials. Even facilities with advanced sorting technology and a large number of employees find it difficult to identify clamshells among other types of plastic due to the high volume and rapid sorting speed.
To address the issue of recycling clamshells, consumers can play a crucial role. It is recommended to check with local recycling programs to determine if they accept clamshell packaging. Consumers can also influence businesses to change their packaging choices by expressing their concerns and pledging to purchase products with more sustainable packaging.
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They contaminate PET bales, reducing their purity and market value
Plastic clamshells are made of Polyethylene-terephthalate, or PET for short. PET is one of the most recyclable plastics. However, the process of making clamshells, called thermoforming, results in a different density of PET compared to PET bottles. This makes it challenging to recycle clamshells and bottles together.
When plastic clamshells are processed at material recovery facilities (MRFs), operators and sorting equipment struggle to differentiate clamshells from other containers made of different plastics, as well as from the more desirable PET bottles. As a result, the final PET bales become "contaminated" with plastic clamshells, reducing their purity.
The recycling facilities aim to produce the purest bales of a specific material to fetch the best market rate. For instance, in the case of plastic #1, the bales would ideally only include bottles and jugs. The presence of clamshells in the mix lowers the quality of the PET plastic, causing the facilities to lose money. Consequently, many recycling programs and MRFs refuse to accept clamshells for recycling, despite their recyclability.
The issue of contamination is further exacerbated by the fact that clamshells melt at a different temperature than other plastics. This can create ash that can ruin an entire batch of good plastic. Additionally, clamshells are often used for food items, which increases the risk of food waste and oil contamination, rendering the entire batch of recyclable material useless.
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Clamshells are made using a different process than bottles, resulting in different grades of PET
Plastic clamshells are a tricky material to recycle. They are made from a plastic called Polyethylene-terephthalate, or PET for short, which is highly recyclable. However, the process of making clamshells is different from that of making bottles, which results in different grades of PET.
Clamshells are made using a process called thermoforming, while bottles and jugs are typically created through blow moulding. These distinct manufacturing processes result in PET products with different densities and bulk densities, each with specific uses. For example, clamshells are often used for food products like spinach, strawberries, and cherry tomatoes, due to their lightweight yet durable nature. They are strong enough to protect fragile items during transport but also easy to open, unlike traditional packaging.
The different production processes also mean that clamshells break into different-sized chips than plastic bottles and melt at different temperatures. This creates issues for recyclers, who need to separate clamshells and bottles to recycle them properly. When clamshells are mixed in with other plastics, it results in a lower-quality end product. This is because the different grades of PET do not blend well together and can create ash, ruining the entire batch of recycled material.
The challenges of recycling clamshells are further exacerbated by the adhesives used on them, which are hard to remove, and the fact that they are often contaminated with food waste and oils, which can also ruin a batch of recyclable material. All these factors make clamshells less desirable for recycling facilities, who prefer to handle mostly or only PET bottles to ensure a pure end product.
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Clamshells melt at a different temperature than other plastics, creating ash that can ruin an entire batch
Plastic clamshells are difficult to recycle. While they are technically recyclable, few are recycled in the US. This is because clamshells are made from different types of plastics, and recycling programs are often unable to process all of them. Clamshells are also hard to differentiate from other plastics during the recycling process, as they are very light and flatten easily when crushed. This means they often end up being sorted into paper instead of with similar plastics.
Clamshells are usually made from PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic, which has the recycling code #1 and is the most commonly recycled plastic globally. However, clamshells are made using a process called thermoforming, while bottles and jugs are made using blow moulding. These distinct processes result in PET products with different densities and grades, each with specific uses. As a result, clamshells and bottles should be separated before recycling to ensure a pure end product.
Clamshells also break into different-sized chips than plastic bottles, and they melt at different temperatures. This means that recyclers cannot simply mix clamshells and bottles together. If clamshells are mixed in with bottles, it can result in a lower-quality end product. Therefore, many recycling programs do not accept clamshells, even though they are made from recyclable materials.
The fact that clamshells melt at a different temperature than other plastics can cause further issues during the recycling process. When clamshells are melted, they can create ash that contaminates the rest of the batch of plastic, ruining it. This is a particular concern as food waste and oils are some of the largest contributors to recycling contamination, and clamshells are often used for food products. Therefore, it is important to ensure clamshells are thoroughly cleaned before being recycled.
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Consumers can play a role by rinsing clamshells and checking with local recycling programs
Plastic clamshells are a popular packaging choice for retailers and the grocery industry due to their lightweight, durable, and protective nature. They are also relatively cheap to produce and can be sealed to maintain the freshness of the products inside. However, despite being technically recyclable, they are not always recycled and are, in fact, one of the trickiest materials to recycle. This is because clamshells are made using a different manufacturing process than bottles, resulting in different grades of PET products, which cannot be mixed and recycled together. Additionally, clamshells are difficult to sort at recycling facilities due to their light weight and distinct shape.
As consumers, we can play a crucial role in ensuring that clamshells are recycled properly. Here are some steps we can take:
- Rinse and clean the clamshells thoroughly to remove any food residue or contaminants. Warm soapy water can help remove stubborn dirt, but avoid using harsh chemicals as they can interfere with the recycling process.
- Dry the clamshells completely before stacking and storing them for recycling.
- Check with your local recycling program to see if they accept clamshell packaging. You can do this by entering your ZIP code in the Earth911 Recycling Search or contacting your local recycling facility directly.
- If your local program does not accept clamshells, consider avoiding products packaged in clamshells. You can also contact the manufacturer or producer to express your concerns and let them know that you will purchase their products again when they switch to a recyclable packaging option.
- Look for and purchase products with clear recycling instructions and recyclable packaging. Increasing consumer awareness and demand for better options can lead to significant changes in packaging practices.
By following these steps, consumers can play a vital role in ensuring that clamshells are recycled properly, reducing their environmental impact, and promoting more sustainable packaging practices.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastic clamshells are 100% recyclable and are made from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), the most commonly recycled plastic in the world.
Plastic clamshells are lightweight and flatten easily when crushed, making it hard for machines to sort them out. They also melt at a different temperature than other plastics, which can create ash that can ruin an entire batch of good plastic.
To recycle plastic clamshells, first, check with your local recycling program to see if they accept this type of packaging. If they do, be sure to clean the packaging thoroughly to remove any food residue or other contaminants. If your local program does not accept plastic clamshells, you can try finding a local recycling solution by entering your ZIP code in the Earth911 Recycling Search.
One challenge with recycling plastic clamshells is that they are often contaminated with food waste and oils, which can ruin an entire batch of recyclable material. Another challenge is that they are made using a process called thermoforming, which results in a different grade of PET plastic than bottles and jugs, making it challenging to process them together.
As a consumer, you can influence businesses to change by avoiding purchasing products with plastic clamshell packaging and contacting the manufacturer to express your concerns. You can also practice proper disposal and recycling habits, such as rinsing out any food residue from clamshell containers before recycling.
