Alexei Volkov
Plastic is everywhere, and it's one of the most complicated materials to recycle. Consumers often don't know what types of plastic can be disposed of and how. There are seven different types of plastic used globally, each with its own recycling code, ranging from numbers one to seven. These recycling codes are usually stamped on plastic products inside a small triangle made of arrows. Plastic number three, also known as polyvinyl chloride or PVC, is a soft and flexible plastic used for household products like tubing, kids' toys, plastic trays, and furniture. Unfortunately, PVC is not typically recyclable in normal collections.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Polyvinyl Chloride |
| Recyclability | Not recyclable in normal collections |
| Common Uses | Plastic tubing, kids' toys, plastic trays, furniture |
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What You'll Learn
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is not recyclable in normal collections
- PVC is soft and flexible, used for plastic food wrapping and consumer products
- LDPE is used for plastic bags, which can get tangled in recycling equipment
- PP, or polypropylene, is recyclable but not always accepted by recyclers
- PP is used for food containers, straws, rope, carpet and bottle caps
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is not recyclable in normal collections
Plastic is one of the most complicated materials to recycle, and consumers often don't know which types can be disposed of and in which ways. Each type of plastic has a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. The number inside the triangle indicates the type of plastic and whether it can be recycled.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the third-most used plastic globally, after PET and PP. It is a soft, flexible plastic used for a wide array of household products, including plastic tubing, kids' toys, plastic trays, and furniture. PVC is also commonly used in the construction industry for pipes and signs, as well as in healthcare applications and clothing.
While PVC can technically be recycled, it is not accepted in standard residential recycling collections. This is because PVC must be separated from other types of plastic for the recycling process to work. At home, individuals should not put PVC in their recycling bins, as it will contaminate the rest of the material. Instead, they should check if their local household waste recycling centre (HWRC) accepts PVC.
Businesses, on the other hand, can recycle PVC by arranging commercial waste collection. They can store PVC with other types of plastic waste on their premises, as it will be sorted at the recycling centre. Licensed waste carriers will then transport the PVC to a facility where it will be separated and sent for recycling.
There are two main methods for recycling PVC. One method involves mechanically treating the PVC by grinding it down into smaller particles to create a clean regrind plastic. These particles can then be turned into a plastic powder that can be shaped into pellets for reuse or melted and moulded into new products.
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PVC is soft and flexible, used for plastic food wrapping and consumer products
Plastic is everywhere, and while consumers may not be able to explain the difference between types, it is important to know what types can be disposed of and in which ways. A product made of plastic is often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. The number inside the triangle indicates the type of plastic, and each type has different uses and recycling requirements.
Type 3 plastic, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is not recyclable in normal collections. It is a soft and flexible plastic, and its unique properties make it suitable for many uses. PVC is lightweight but long-lasting, with strong chemical bonds that make it resistant to shock, corrosion, and weather ageing. It is also a good insulator and doesn't conduct electricity, making it ideal for electrical insulation and wiring.
PVC is commonly used in construction for pipes, doors, windows, and flooring. It is also used in plumbing, electrical cable insulation, phonograph records, inflatable products, and rubber substitutes. In the food industry, PVC is used for plastic food wrapping due to its flexibility and resistance to corrosion. It is also safe for food contact and is used in the production of plastic bottles and food containers.
In addition to its industrial and food applications, PVC is used in consumer products such as plastic tubing, children's toys, plastic trays, and furniture. It is often used in packaging, including plastic wrappings and grocery bags. However, it is important to note that while PVC products cannot be recycled, they can be properly disposed of through specialized handling or returned to grocery stores for proper plastics recycling.
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LDPE is used for plastic bags, which can get tangled in recycling equipment
LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is a type of plastic commonly used for plastic bags. While LDPE can technically be recycled, it poses challenges due to its tendency to tangle in recycling equipment. This issue can disrupt the entire recycling process and damage the machinery.
LDPE is a flexible, tough, and relatively transparent plastic. It is often used in film applications, such as carrier bags, produce bags, and shrink wrap. These bags are provided by grocery stores, retailers, and used for items like bakery goods, frozen foods, and household garbage. LDPE is the most common form of plastic used by manufacturers in the UK, at 19.3%.
Despite being recyclable, LDPE plastic bags are not always accepted by local recycling programs. This is primarily because they can get tangled in recycling equipment, causing operational issues and potential damage to the machinery. Therefore, it is essential to check with your local recycling program to understand their specific guidelines for LDPE plastic bags.
The recyclability of LDPE plastic bags depends on the nature of the plastic itself. Flexible products, for instance, are more challenging to recycle as they tend to be contaminated by the items they package. Additionally, LDPE is a cheap and low-quality plastic, making its recycling financially unviable.
To ensure proper recycling of LDPE plastic bags, some grocery stores and retailers offer drop-off programs or collection services. These programs ensure that LDPE plastic bags are recycled separately from other materials, reducing the risk of tangling in recycling equipment.
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PP, or polypropylene, is recyclable but not always accepted by recyclers
Polypropylene, or PP, is a thermoplastic polymer that is used to make a variety of products, including food containers, bottle caps, straws, rope, carpet, and industrial materials. It is one of the most popular plastic packaging materials in the world, but unfortunately, only a small percentage of PP is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, where it can take around 20-30 years to decompose and can release hazardous fumes and chemicals.
While PP is technically recyclable, it is not always accepted by residential recycling programs or local recycling centers. This is due to the challenges of sorting and processing PP products, which come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, and are often contaminated with non-PP materials. Additionally, recycled PP is usually black or grey, making it unsuitable for reuse in packaging.
To recycle PP, it must be collected, sorted, shredded, separated by color, and then compounded. This process can be expensive and time-consuming, and it may not always be financially viable to recycle PP. As a result, many recycling facilities are not equipped to handle PP recycling, and individuals or businesses may need to seek out private companies that can process it.
However, efforts are being made to improve PP recycling. The Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, for example, aims to increase access to residential polypropylene recycling and ensure that more recycling facilities can successfully sort and process it. Through their work, millions of people across the United States now have access to polypropylene recycling.
Overall, while PP is recyclable, it is not always accepted by recyclers due to the challenges and costs associated with sorting and processing it. Improving PP recycling infrastructure and access is crucial for minimizing waste and protecting the environment.
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PP is used for food containers, straws, rope, carpet and bottle caps
Polypropylene (PP) is a commonly used plastic that can be used to make food containers, straws, rope, carpet, and bottle caps. It is one of the most popular plastic packaging materials in the world, but only around 1-3% of it is recycled in the US, with a similar rate in other countries. This is due to the financial costs of recycling PP, the difficulty of removing the smell of the product previously contained within the plastic, and the resulting black or grey colour of the recycled product, which is undesirable for packaging.
PP is used for food containers for products like yoghurt, sour cream, margarine, and sauces. It is also used for bottle caps, straws, and other packaging types. PP is a good material for food and drink packaging because it is resistant to heat beyond most kitchen temperatures, making it safe for use in heating and storing food. It is also easily weldable, low-cost, and has low friction, making it useful for other applications such as battery trays, bumpers, and interior trims.
In its virgin form (not recycled), PP is considered an excellent material for food and drink packaging. Once it is recycled, it is no longer considered 'virgin' (food grade), but it can still be used for a variety of other applications. Recycled PP is often used for rope, carpet, clothing, speed humps, garden tools, compost bins, and a range of other items. It can be melted down easily and recycled up to six times. All the components of an item of packaging, including labels and lids, are usually made of PP, making it easy to recycle.
PP is often used in combination with polyethylene (PE) in the food and beverage industry. Both PP and PE form the backbone of the bottle and closure industry, and they are used for everything from shampoo containers to bottle caps. PE is a more forgiving material than PP, making it ideal for high-speed applications, but PP has a higher melting point, making it suitable for hot-fill applications such as sauces and condiments. PP also offers greater clarity and is more rigid, making it ideal for high-speed applications where stress crack resistance is important.
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Frequently asked questions
Number 3 plastic is polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC. It is a soft and flexible plastic used for food wrapping, plastic tubing, kids' toys, plastic trays, and furniture.
No, number 3 plastic cannot be recycled in normal collections. Most consumer recyclers will not take PVC products.
There are seven types of plastic in total, labelled 1-7. Types 1 and 2 plastics can be recycled in standard recycling bins. Other types may or may not be permitted depending on your municipality's guidelines.
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. This number corresponds to a different type of plastic.
