Omar Khalid
When it comes to the environmental impact of recycling, it's important to consider the cleanliness of the materials being processed. While recyclables don't need to be perfectly pristine, ensuring they are adequately cleaned can make a significant difference in the recycling process and the final product's integrity. This is especially true for plastic and glass items, which can be contaminated by food residue, oils, and liquids, hindering their recyclability and value. So, which is cleaner to recycle, plastic or glass? Let's delve into the specifics and explore the best practices for recycling these materials.
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic bags and film should be clean of residue and completely dry before recycling
- Glass can be recycled over and over again, but broken glass should not go into the recycling bin
- Plastic bottles and containers are usually rid of contamination through a washing process at the recycling facility
- In 2018, only 8.7% of the 35 million tons of plastic generated in the US was recycled
- Liquids and food left in containers can contaminate other recycled materials
Plastic bags and film should be clean of residue and completely dry before recycling
It is important to ensure that plastic bags and film are clean and completely dry before recycling. This is because contaminants can ruin the recycling process, and excess water can interfere with the melting process during recycling. In addition, plastic bags and film can jam the machinery at recycling facilities.
Plastic bags and film should be free of residue, such as sticky substances like peanut butter or mustard stuck to a sandwich bag. A quick rinse is usually adequate, and a few particles, such as breadcrumbs, left in the bag will not hinder the recycling process. In most cases, simply shaking out the bags before recycling them will suffice.
However, if there is sticky residue, it is advisable to wash the bag and ensure it is completely dry before recycling. This can be done using water, or for stickier substances, a scrub brush or scraper may be necessary. It is also important to remove all stickers, labels, and staples from plastic bags and film before recycling.
Plastic bags and film should not be placed in home recycling bins as they can cause issues with recycling machinery. Instead, they can be dropped off at local grocery stores or recycling facilities, which often have bins specifically for this purpose.
It is always important to check local recycling guidelines, as guidelines can vary by location.
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Glass can be recycled over and over again, but broken glass should not go into the recycling bin
Glass is a highly recyclable material. Glass, especially glass food and beverage containers, can be recycled over and over again. In the United States in 2018, 12.3 million tons of glass were generated, 31.3% of which was recycled. Making new glass from recycled glass is typically cheaper than using raw materials. Most curbside recycling programs accept different glass colours and types mixed together and then sort the glass at the recovery facility.
However, not all glass belongs in the recycling bin. Only glass bottles and jars should be put in the recycling bin. All other glass, ceramics, or pottery cannot go in your local recycling program. This includes but is not limited to plates, cups, flower pots, drinking glasses, mugs, light bulbs, wine glasses, mirrors, window panes, broken glass, cooking/baking glass (measuring cups, pie plates, casserole dishes, mixing bowls), glass home décor, flower vases, and more. Drinking glasses, flower vases, and mirrors have a different melting point and chemical composition than bottles and jars. If these materials are mixed with glass from bottles and jars, it can contaminate glass recycling or weaken recycled glass, which hurts recycling programs. Broken glass, specifically, should not go into the recycling bin as it can harm workers and damage equipment. Broken glass can also contaminate other recycling materials.
If your glass items cannot be recycled, consider donating them to charitable organizations, thrift shops, or others who can use them. Teacups, cups, and bowls can be reused as planters for succulents or as containers for pet food. If your items cannot be donated or reused, carefully dispose of them in the trash.
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Plastic bottles and containers are usually rid of contamination through a washing process at the recycling facility
Plastic bags and films should also be cleaned and dried before recycling. However, they cannot be placed in the curbside bin as they will jam the machinery at the recycling facility. Instead, they can be dropped off at designated bins in many supermarkets and big-box stores.
Once plastic bottles and containers are collected from homes, businesses, and other sites, they are taken to the recycling facility. Here, they undergo a process to remove any remaining food, liquid, or chemical residue. The bottles are then ground up and shredded into flakes. After this, they are melted down and formed into small pellets, which are sold to companies to be made into new products.
Recycling plastic bottles is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to reduce pollution from the chemicals used to make these bottles. Secondly, it cuts down on the amount of trash in landfills and the litter on our streets, waterways, and oceans. Plastic bottles can take between 450-1000 years to break down and never fully biodegrade, instead breaking down into microplastics which are dangerous contaminants. Recycling also creates jobs and is beneficial for the economy.
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In 2018, only 8.7% of the 35 million tons of plastic generated in the US was recycled
Plastic and glass are both recyclable, but the processes and rates differ. In 2018, the recycling rate for glass in the US was 31.3%, while only 8.7% of the 35 million tons of plastic generated was recycled. This means that of the 35.7 million tons of plastic waste produced, only around 3 million tons were recycled. The rate of plastic recycling has decreased since, with a report stating that only 5-6% of US plastic waste was recycled in 2021.
The low level of plastic recycling is surprising given that paper recycling rates have increased from 21.3% in 1980 to 68.2% in 2018. This discrepancy has been attributed to a "decades-long misinformation campaign to perpetuate the myth that plastic is recyclable." Most municipalities only recycle certain types of plastics, and consumers are understandably confused by the three-arrow recycling symbol.
Recycling plastic and glass requires different processes. Glass, especially food and beverage containers, can be recycled repeatedly, and it is usually cheaper to make new glass from recycled material than to use raw materials. Most curbside recycling programs accept different colours and types of glass, which are sorted at recovery facilities. However, broken glass should not be placed in recycling bins as shards can harm workers and damage equipment. Metal bottle caps should also be recycled separately.
Plastic recycling, on the other hand, is more complex. Plastic bags and films should be clean and dry before recycling, and excess water can interfere with the melting process. Some local programs do not accept plastic bags and films in curbside bins as they can jam machinery at recycling facilities, but many supermarkets and stores have bins for dropping off these items. Containers with food residue cannot be recycled, but a quick rinse is usually adequate, and a few spots will not hinder the process.
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Liquids and food left in containers can contaminate other recycled materials
Recycling contamination occurs when materials are placed in the wrong bin or when materials are not properly cleaned. For instance, if a glass bottle is placed in a bin meant for paper recycling, or if a plastic yogurt container still has food residue inside, these can be considered contaminants. While guidelines vary by location, it is generally recommended to give containers a quick rinse or scrape to ensure they are empty and relatively clean before recycling.
It is important to note that different materials have specific requirements for recycling. For example, plastic bags and plastic film should be dry and free of residue. In most cases, simply shaking out the bags before recycling is sufficient. However, if there is sticky residue, such as peanut butter or mustard, it is advisable to wash and completely dry the plastic bags before recycling. On the other hand, cardboard and paper become unrecyclable when contaminated with grease or oil, so items like pizza boxes covered in grease should be avoided.
To reduce recycling contamination, it is recommended to label each recycling container with what can and cannot be recycled. This helps ensure that materials are sorted correctly and reduces the chances of contamination. Additionally, checking with local recycling guidelines is essential, as some areas may have specific instructions or exceptions. By properly cleaning and sorting recyclables, we can increase the likelihood of materials being recycled and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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Frequently asked questions
Glass, especially glass food and beverage containers, can be recycled over and over again. In the US in 2018, 31.3% of the 12.3 million tons of glass generated was recycled. Plastic, on the other hand, had a recycling rate of only 8.7% for the 35 million tons generated in the same year.
Plastic items should be empty, rinsed, and dried before being recycled. This is to ensure that food residue or liquids do not contaminate other recyclables.
Glass items should be emptied of any liquids or food residue before being recycled. A quick rinse is usually enough to ensure they are clean.
It is important to check with your local recycling program to confirm what can be recycled in your area. Additionally, make sure that any plastic or glass items are dry before placing them in the recycling bin to prevent mold or contamination of other recyclables.
