Ethan Clarke
Plastic is ubiquitous, but not all plastics are created equal. Some are reusable, while others are not, due to the chemicals they contain. Some are easily recyclable, while others require more sophisticated and intricate handling in their recycling process. In 1988, the Society of the Plastics Industry introduced the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system, which divided plastic resins into seven different categories to facilitate recycling. These seven types of plastic differ in terms of their materials and grades and have different uses.
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What You'll Learn
- PET/PETE plastic is used for bottles and food containers and can be recycled
- HDPE plastic is used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles and can be recycled
- PVC is a soft, flexible plastic used for household products and cannot be recycled
- LDPE plastic is used for grocery bags and plastic wraps and is not often recycled
- PP is used for food containers, straws, rope, and bottle caps and can sometimes be recycled
PET/PETE plastic is used for bottles and food containers and can be recycled
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. This number corresponds to a different type of plastic, indicating the type of plastic used for the product. However, it does not signify whether the product can be recycled.
Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET/PETE, is a plastic graded as number one. It is a durable, clear, non-reactive, and lightweight plastic that is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks. It is also used for cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars, and containers for other popular food items. PET/PETE is one of the most commonly used plastics in consumer products, accounting for over 10% of global plastic production. It is fully recyclable and has one of the highest plastic recycling values. PET can be melted, cooled, and reheated multiple times. It can be recycled through curbside recycling programs, local recycling centers, or bottle bill depots in countries and states with container deposit laws.
The process of recycling PET involves collecting, filtering, sorting, rinsing, and recycling plastic bottles, containers, and packaging. The bottles are then processed and turned into recycled PET (rPET) to be reused for packaging. They are first separated into their color streams and ground up into small crushed flakes. The flakes are washed to remove contaminants such as glue, ground-up lids, rings, and labels. This is followed by a high-temperature decontamination process to eliminate any migrated post-consumer substances and flavors. The material is then melted, and solid contaminants are separated using a melt filter.
Recycled PET is safe for use in food packaging and has been approved by agencies and governments worldwide. It is often used for bottle-to-bottle recycling, but when the quality of the collected plastic is insufficient, it is flaked, washed, heated, and stretched into fiber. This fiber is then spun into recycled polyester yarn, which can be used for fabrics, seat belts, bags, carpets, roofing insulation, and clothing.
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HDPE plastic is used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles and can be recycled
Plastic is everywhere, and while it is one of the most complicated materials to recycle, it is important to do so to protect the planet. Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. Each number corresponds to a different type of plastic, indicating what type of plastic was used for the product and whether or not it can be recycled.
One of the most common types of plastic is High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which has a plastic recycling code of 2. HDPE is a tough, hard-wearing plastic with high tensile strength, making it resistant to tearing or bursting. It is also lightweight and flexible, with non-corrosive properties, making it ideal for bottles of all kinds, including milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and even some plastic bags. Its durability and resistance to chemicals, acids, and alcohol also make it a common choice for containers used in healthcare facilities and laboratories.
HDPE is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted at most recycling centres in the UK. It can be recycled into new pipes, crates, film, plastic lumber, and even recycling bins. The process of recycling HDPE involves sorting, cleaning, separating, shredding, and melting the plastic to create a refined polymer that can be used to make new products. Despite its recyclability, only about 12% of HDPE plastic bags and 28% of water and milk bottles made from HDPE are recycled in the UK each year. In the US, the figure is even lower, with only about 30-35% of HDPE plastic being recycled.
It is important to note that while HDPE itself can be recycled, the presence of other materials, such as metal closures or certain resins, can impact the recyclability of the product. For example, metal components may cause rejection at a metal detector or be removed by a magnet, resulting in the package being sent to a waste stream instead of being recycled. Additionally, the recycling process for HDPE film and plastic bags is different from that of bottles and thicker products, as they may get caught in the teeth of some recycling machinery.
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PVC is a soft, flexible plastic used for household products and cannot be recycled
Plastic is everywhere, and while it is all around us, not all types of plastic can be recycled. 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, indicating what kind of plastic has been used for the product.
Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC, is a soft and flexible plastic with a variety of applications. It is used to make plastic tubing, kids' toys, plastic trays, and furniture, and is also used in plumbing pipes, vinyl flooring, cables, and medical tubes. PVC is the third most produced plastic in the USA.
Despite its versatility, PVC cannot be recycled through conventional means. It is considered a "poison plastic" due to the toxins it contains and can leach throughout its entire life cycle. The chemical composition of PVC makes it dangerous to incinerate or leave in landfills, as it releases toxic chemicals and gases when burned. However, PVC can be recycled through specialised processes at certain facilities, and some organisations will accept gently used PVC for repurposing.
While it is possible to recycle PVC, it requires special handling. Most PVC can be recycled up to six or seven times, and recycled PVC has the potential to last up to 600 years. To recycle PVC, it is ground down into a clean 'regrind' plastic. However, it should not be placed in standard recycling bins; instead, it must be taken to a specialised plastics recycling facility.
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LDPE plastic is used for grocery bags and plastic wraps and is not often recycled
Plastic is stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. Each number corresponds to a different type of plastic, indicating how it should be recycled. LDPE, or Low-Density Polyethylene, is a thermoplastic with a lower density than its more commonly recycled counterpart, HDPE. It is thinner, softer, more flexible, and less strong than HDPE. LDPE is used in the creation of dozens of products, including grocery bags, plastic wraps, dry cleaner garment bags, squeezable bottles, and the plastic bags used to package bread.
LDPE is technically recyclable, but it is not widely recycled. In 2015, just 6.2% of LDPE generated that year was recycled, compared to 18.4% and 10.3% recycling rates for plastics type #1 and #2 (PET and HDPE), respectively. LDPE is not as widely accepted by recyclers as other plastics, and it is not always permitted in curbside recycling bins. Some local authorities only accept rigid LDPE items for recycling, as soft LDPE can get caught in the teeth of recycling machines. LDPE products also have a tendency to tangle in recycling machinery, requiring routine maintenance and potentially causing damage to equipment. As a result, LDPE recycling is often not financially worthwhile.
However, LDPE can be recycled into various products, including shipping envelopes, paneling, tiles, plastic lumber, trash cans, and compost bins. Recycled LDPE can also be used to create new garbage bags. To recycle LDPE, it must be separated from other plastics due to its unique structural properties. It is typically sorted by grade to ensure high-quality output, and it is cleaned, shredded, melted, and moulded into new products.
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PP is used for food containers, straws, rope, and bottle caps and can sometimes be recycled
Plastic is everywhere, and while it may seem like a simple material, there are many different types, each with its own unique properties. One of the most common types of plastic is polypropylene, more commonly known as PP. PP is a versatile plastic, used in a wide range of products, from food containers to straws, rope, and bottle caps. But what about recycling? Can PP be recycled?
The short answer is yes, PP can sometimes be recycled. However, it's not as simple as throwing all your PP products into the recycling bin. PP is what's known as a "number 5 plastic", which means it falls into a special category of plastics that are not always accepted by public recycling centres. The number 5 inside a triangle is the resin code for PP, and it's important to look out for this when trying to recycle PP products.
So, why is PP sometimes recycled and sometimes not? Well, it often comes down to the capabilities of local recycling centres. Some centres are equipped to handle PP, while others are not. It's important to check with your local authority to see what types of plastic they can recycle. Additionally, PP is a soft plastic, and soft plastics are generally more difficult to recycle than hard plastics. They require special handling and processing, which can be costly.
Another challenge with recycling PP is that it is often used for food packaging, and any food residue can contaminate the recycling process. It is crucial to ensure that all PP products are thoroughly cleaned before being placed in the recycling bin. However, even with proper cleaning, some recycling centres may still choose not to accept PP products due to the potential risk of contamination.
Overall, while PP can sometimes be recycled, it is important to understand the limitations and challenges associated with recycling this type of plastic. Checking with local guidelines and ensuring proper cleaning and preparation of PP products for recycling are crucial steps in ensuring that PP can be recycled effectively and responsibly.
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Frequently asked questions
The grade of plastic used in soda bottles is PET or PETE, and it can be recycled.
The grade of plastic used in grocery bags is LDPE, and it is not often recycled through curbside programs.
The grade of plastic used in milk jugs is HDPE, and it can be recycled.
