Ethan Clarke
In New Zealand, there are 7 plastic recycling codes that refer to the different types of plastic used in manufacturing. Plastics with codes 1, 2, and 5 can be recycled, while the others are sent to landfill. Code 1 plastic, or PET, is one of the easiest plastics to recycle and is used for products like clothing, food containers, and thermoforming for manufacturing. Code 2 plastic, or HDPE, is also easily recyclable and is used for dairy containers, juice bottles, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles. Code 5 plastic, or PP, is a hard but flexible plastic with a waxy surface that is versatile and easy to recycle. It is used for food packaging like margarine containers, yoghurt containers, and takeaway containers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic #1 | PET, or polyethylene terephthalate |
| Recyclable | |
| Used for food containers, thermoforming, clothing, and hard containers for condiments and spreads | |
| Includes plastic trays for meat, ice cream containers, milk bottles, cleaning products, shampoo, cosmetics, juice, sandwich spreads, beer, wine | |
| Plastic #2 | HDPE |
| Recyclable | |
| Used for dairy containers, milk and cream bottles, ice cream containers, juice bottles, shampoo, cleaning and detergent bottles | |
| Plastic #5 | PP, or polypropylene |
| Recyclable | |
| Used for food packaging, including margarine containers, yoghurt containers, takeaway containers, ice cream containers, and dips | |
| Includes plastic trays for meat, ice cream containers, and laundry baskets |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic #1 is PET, one of the easiest plastics to recycle
- Plastic #2 is HDPE, commonly used for dairy containers
- Plastic #5 is PP, a hard but flexible plastic used for food packaging
- Only plastics #1, #2, and #5 can be recycled in New Zealand
- Plastic #7 is made up of plastics not included in categories 1-6
Plastic #1 is PET, one of the easiest plastics to recycle
Plastic #1, also known as PET (or PETE), is one of the easiest plastics to recycle. It is also one of the most common types of plastic, with an audit finding that more than 47% of all plastic containers and bottles audited were plastic type #1. PET plastic is 100% recyclable and has one of the highest plastic recycling values as it can be melted, cooled, and reheated multiple times.
PET plastic is often used for plastic bottles, and these bottles can be recycled into new bottles, or into other products such as clothing, backpacks, and carpets. In fact, PET is one of the few polymers that can be recycled into the same form, meaning a plastic bottle can be recycled into a new bottle again and again.
If you have access to curbside recycling, you can put your PET plastics into the recycling bin. If not, you can take them to a local recycling center or a bottle refund depot, where you can earn back a small deposit for every bottle you recycle.
It is important to rinse and clean any PET plastic before recycling it, to ensure it can be processed by the recycling center.
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Plastic #2 is HDPE, commonly used for dairy containers
Plastic #2, also known as HDPE or High-Density Polyethylene, is a versatile polymer commonly used in dairy containers such as milk and cream bottles. It is also used for some ice cream containers, juice bottles, shampoo, cleaning, and detergent bottles. HDPE is lightweight compared to other polymers, yet it has a high impact strength, making it suitable for freezer-grade applications. It is also highly chemically resistant, making it a superior choice for chemicals and one of the safest options for food storage.
HDPE is widely used for manufacturing bottles, particularly for beverages, cleaning products, and personal care products. It is also used for food and non-food containers, including dairy, chemicals, and oils. The versatility of HDPE extends to bags, including grocery bags, trash bags, and zip-lock bags. Additionally, HDPE is commonly found in caps and closures for bottles, jars, and other containers.
In the healthcare industry, HDPE is used for containers for pills, syringes, and medical devices. It is also used in films to keep foods fresh due to its excellent barrier to moisture vapour. HDPE is easily recyclable, with about 1.5 billion pounds recycled in the US each year. The recycling rate for HDPE bottles is approximately 32%, and all other rigid forms of HDPE are recycled at about 18%.
HDPE is marked with the number 2 and is considered food-safe by the FDA, making it suitable for storing food without the risk of toxic chemical infiltration. It is one of the safest plastic options for food storage, along with LDPE and PP plastics. These plastics are commonly used for juice and milk jugs, grocery bags, bread bags, produce bags, and food storage boxes.
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Plastic #5 is PP, a hard but flexible plastic used for food packaging
Plastic #5, also known as PP (polypropylene), is a versatile plastic material commonly used in packaging. It is a hard but flexible plastic with a waxy surface that is easy to recycle. PP makes up around 12% of all recycled plastics. It has a range of physical properties that make it ideal for packaging applications, including rigidity and impact strength. It is also non-toxic, lightweight, durable, and can withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for microwavable containers.
PP is commonly used in food packaging due to its favourable characteristics. It is FDA-approved for food contact and is used for containers, cups, bottles, and bags. Some common food packaging applications for PP include margarine containers, some yoghurt containers, takeaway containers, ice cream containers, dips, salad dressing bottles, maple syrup containers, cream cheese containers, sour cream containers, and ready-to-eat meals.
PP is also used in healthcare packaging applications such as pill bottles, medical trays, and syringes because it is resistant to chemicals, sterilisation, and moisture. Additionally, PP finds applications in agricultural packaging, such as greenhouse films, bale wraps, and seedling trays, due to its resistance to UV radiation and ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
While PP is recyclable, it has a lower recycling rate compared to other polymers due to its utilisation in various applications, making it challenging to identify and sort manually. However, automated sorting technologies are helping to improve the recycling of PP materials.
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Only plastics #1, #2, and #5 can be recycled in New Zealand
Plastic is a significant part of our lives, from food and medicine packaging to household cleaning products, electronics, clothing, and building materials. While plastic is useful, it is also a major contributor to waste, with about 20% of solid waste being plastic. To reduce plastic waste, New Zealand has implemented a recycling system that focuses on specific types of plastic: #1, #2, and #5. These plastics are considered high-value and can be easily recycled into new products.
Plastic #1, also known as PET, is one of the easiest plastics to recycle and is commonly used for soft drink and water bottles, cleaning containers, personal care bottles, and some food packaging. An audit found that over 47% of all plastic containers and bottles were made of plastic #1, highlighting its prevalence in our daily lives.
Plastic #2, or HDPE, is another easily recyclable plastic. It is commonly used for dairy containers such as milk and cream bottles, ice cream containers, juice bottles, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles. In an audit, it was found that 28% of plastics recycled were #2 plastic bottles and containers.
Plastic #5, also known as PP or polypropylene, is a hard but flexible plastic with a waxy surface. It is used for a wide range of food packaging, including margarine containers, yoghurt containers, takeaway containers, and dips. While it only makes up about 12% of all recycled plastics, there is a growing demand for recycled PP in New Zealand. Currently, only 1% of PP plastic is being recycled globally, and New Zealand aims to increase the recycling and remanufacturing of PP plastic to reduce waste and make better use of resources.
By focusing on recycling plastics #1, #2, and #5, New Zealand is taking an important step towards conserving its natural environment and promoting a circular economy. These plastics are widely used and have the potential to be recycled into valuable new products, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills. While it is important to recycle these plastics properly, it is also crucial to reduce the use of single-use items and switch to reusable alternatives whenever possible.
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Plastic #7 is made up of plastics not included in categories 1-6
Plastic #7 is a diverse group that includes all plastic types except for numbers 1 to 6. This category, also known as "Other," serves as a catch-all for various plastics that don't fit into the first six categories. It encompasses a wide range of plastics with different characteristics, including recyclable, non-recyclable, mixed plastics, and biodegradable plastics.
The #7 category includes well-known plastics such as polycarbonates (PC), polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylic, melamine, and nylon. These plastics have diverse applications and are used in everyday items like baby bottles, plastic CDs, eyeglasses, car parts, and exterior lighting fixtures. Some of these plastics, such as polycarbonates, have valuable properties like impact resistance and UV filtration, making them a popular alternative to glass.
However, one of the primary concerns with #7 plastics is the potential for chemical leaching, specifically Bisphenol A (BPA), which is a known endocrine disruptor. This has led to a decrease in the use of polycarbonates in certain applications, especially those involving food contact or storage. To address this issue, a new generation of compostable plastics made from bio-based polymers is being developed as a replacement.
While some #7 plastics are recyclable, they generally cannot be recycled through curbside recycling programs. This is because the category includes a wide range of plastics, and specialist recyclers may be required to handle specific types. Reusing and repairing items made from #7 plastics is encouraged to extend their lifespan and reduce waste.
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Frequently asked questions
These are the only plastics with enough commercial value to be recycled and turned into something new.
Plastic number 1 is PET or polyethylene terephthalate, a common thermoplastic polymer resin often used in clothing, food containers, and thermoforming for manufacturing.
Plastic number 2 is HDPE, which is commonly used in household settings for dairy containers such as milk and cream bottles, some ice cream containers, juice bottles, shampoo, cleaning, and detergent bottles.
Plastic number 5 is PP or polypropylene, a hard but flexible plastic with a waxy surface. In households, it is mainly used for food packaging such as margarine containers, some yoghurt containers, takeaway containers, ice cream containers, and dips.
