Sofia Martinez
Plastic recycling is critical to improving the environment and bettering waste management solutions. While almost all plastic can be recycled in principle, in practice, there are several barriers that can make it difficult. These include the high costs of building and operating recycling facilities, the difficulty of separating plastics with multiple types of plastic and different layers, and the fact that not all plastic is widely recyclable. However, recycling plastic has specific benefits, such as conserving limited natural resources and energy. The most widely recycled plastic globally is PET, which is commonly found in beverage bottles and can be recycled into fashion items, carpets, and furniture. Other types of plastic include HDPE, LDPE, and PP, which vary in terms of recyclability and the products they can be recycled into.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic resin codes and their recyclability
Plastic resin codes, also known as Resin Identification Codes (RIC), are a set of symbols that appear on plastic products to identify the type of plastic resin used in manufacturing. They were first introduced in 1988 by the US Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) as a "Voluntary Plastic Container Coding System" to facilitate the recycling of post-consumer plastics. The original RIC consisted of arrows cycling clockwise to form a triangle enclosing a number. However, in recent years, the RIC has been revised, and the arrows have been replaced by a solid triangle.
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE): Code 1 is the most common type of plastic for single-use bottled beverages due to its lightweight, inexpensive, and easy-to-recycle nature. It is often used for clear plastic bottles and has a gloss finish with good chemical resistance. PET can be recycled into polyester fabric, filling for cushions and carpets, and can also be reused as rPET plastic to create new plastic bottles.
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): Code 2 is a durable, hard plastic that is commonly used for cleaning and personal care products. It is not usually used for food products, except for milk bottles, which gives it a high market value. HDPE can be recycled multiple times and is one of the few plastics with onshore recycling centres.
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Code 3 is a durable plastic that is resistant to sunlight, water, and other harsh conditions.
- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): Code 4 is not often recycled through curbside programs, but some communities may accept it. LDPE is used in products like plastic bags and toothpaste tubes.
- Polypropylene (PP): Code 5 is a versatile plastic used in a wide range of applications, from food packaging to textiles.
- Polystyrene (PS): Code 6 is a brittle plastic used in products like plastic forks and yoghurt pots. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is the softer, lightweight, and insulating version used in takeaway packaging, Styrofoam, and insulation. Polystyrene is not recyclable in standard Local Authority collections.
- Other Plastics: Code 7 represents a variety of plastics that do not fall into the previous six categories, including bioplastics, composite plastics (like crisp wrappers), plastic-coated paper, and polycarbonate. Polycarbonate, marked with code 7, has been a concern due to its BPA (bisphenol A) content, a potential hormone disruptor.
It is important to note that the presence of a resin code on a plastic product does not guarantee its recyclability. The resin codes indicate the type of plastic resin used, and recyclability depends on the capabilities of the recycling facilities in a particular community. Additionally, the “How2Recycle” labels, introduced by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, provide information on the recyclability of a product, indicating whether it is "Widely Recycled," "Limited," or "Not Yet Recycled" based on the percentage of the US population that can recycle the item.
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The process of plastic recycling
Plastic recycling is a critical process to improve the environment and better waste management solutions. While almost all plastic can be recycled in principle, in practice, there are several barriers that can make it difficult. For instance, items that include multiple types of plastic and different layers are hard to separate and make recyclability costly. Additionally, some plastic types, such as bioplastics, composite plastic, plastic-coated wrapping paper, and polycarbonate, are not recyclable.
- Sorting: The first step is to sort plastic from other materials, which occurs at a Material Recovery Facility (MRF). The mixed recycling is removed from collection vehicles and placed on conveyer belts, which help maintain a constant flow of waste. Sorting can be done manually or using machines, and it involves separating plastics by colour, thickness, size, and type.
- Washing: The next step is to wash the plastic to remove any impurities, such as product labels, adhesives, and food residue. This step is important to ensure that the material is as clean as possible as contaminants can affect the quality of the recyclate.
- Shredding: After washing, the sorted and cleaned plastic is sent through shredding machines to be broken down into smaller-sized pieces. This step also helps remove more impurities, such as metals. The shredded plastic may be used as additives within asphalt or sold as a raw material.
- Testing and Classification: At this stage, the plastics are tested for their class and quality. They are segregated based on density, with low-density plastics floating and high-density plastics sinking. Further classification is done based on thickness.
- Processing: Finally, the plastic is either shredded into flakes or melt-processed to form pellets before being moulded into new products. Recycled plastic can be used to create a wide range of products, including fashion items, carpets, bottles, packaging films, and construction materials.
It is important to note that some plastic items, such as plastic bags, cannot be processed by all recycling facilities. Therefore, it is recommended to check for designated collection points for specific types of plastic waste. Additionally, rinsing plastic containers before recycling them is crucial to prevent food or liquid contaminants from ruining an entire batch of recyclables.
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Plastic recycling rates worldwide
Plastic recycling rates are extremely low worldwide. According to the OECD, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled, with 15% collected for recycling but 40% of that disposed of as residues. The OECD's Global Plastics Outlook report found that 460 million metric tons of plastics were used in 2019, nearly double the amount in 2000. The amount of plastic waste has also more than doubled during that time to 350-353 million metric tons.
The recycling industry has a long way to go when it comes to plastic waste. Plastic is being recycled at an even lower rate than previously estimated, with many types of plastics labelled as recyclable when they are not. In many cases, recycling plastic is more costly and energy-intensive than creating plastic from raw materials, which contributes to the low recycling rates. Misinformation is also rampant, with many consumers believing that their plastic waste is being recycled when it is not.
The vast majority of plastic waste is either landfilled or incinerated, emitting harmful pollutants. Another quarter is mismanaged, ending up in illegal dumpsites, burned in open pits, or leaking into the environment, especially in low- and middle-income countries. According to the OECD, almost half of all plastic waste is generated in OECD countries. However, most plastic flowing into the ocean today comes from middle-income countries, particularly across Asia.
To improve plastic recycling rates, the OECD has proposed developing the market for recycled plastics, which currently only represents 6% of the total market. The OECD has also called for major investments in basic waste management infrastructure, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Bans and taxes on single-use plastics exist in more than 120 countries but are not doing enough to reduce overall pollution. Most regulations are limited to items like plastic bags, which make up a tiny share of plastic waste.
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Plastic recycling at home
Plastic recycling is critical to improving the environment and bettering waste management solutions. While recycling is typically done in large facilities, there are ways to recycle plastic at home.
The most widely recycled plastic globally is PET, which is relatively easy to recycle and is mostly found in plastic bottles. However, some countries are still struggling to reach decent recycling rates. The recyclability of plastic types depends on how they are made. Thermoset plastics, for example, cannot be recycled, whereas thermoplastics can be re-melted and re-molded.
When recycling plastic at home, it is important to consider the potential health hazards. All plastics will produce some toxic fumes when melted or burned, which can be harmful if inhaled. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure proper ventilation in the area where the melting or burning takes place. Additionally, it is recommended to have an exhaust fan in the room to help with air circulation.
There are guides available online that provide instructions on how to melt plastic at home. One such method involves washing and cutting plastic bottles into small pieces, placing them in a metal container, and heating them in an oven at 350°F until they melt. These melted plastics can then be joined and fused together, a process known as "plastic welding."
Another option for recycling plastic at home is through the use of a compact 3D printer like Filabot, which can directly recycle plastic objects and create new shapes.
It is important to note that recycling plastic at home may not always be feasible or environmentally beneficial due to the small quantities involved. In such cases, it is recommended to check with local authorities or waste management providers to understand the specific rules and guidelines for plastic recycling in your area.
Best Practices for Plastic Recycling
To ensure the effectiveness of plastic recycling, it is essential to follow certain practices:
- Rinse food containers to prevent contamination in recycling plants.
- Avoid bagging items to simplify machine sorting.
- Squash bottles to prevent them from rolling off conveyor belts.
- Remove non-recyclable items, such as plastic wrap and bioplastics.
- Separate different types of plastic if required by your local guidelines.
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Non-recyclable plastics
Plastic waste is a major concern for environmentalists, governments, and organizations, as the majority of plastics are disposed of in non-environmentally friendly ways, leading to polluted oceans, overfilled landfills, and ecological damage. Recycling plastic is, therefore, crucial to improving the environment and developing better waste management solutions.
The process of recycling plastics is extremely complex, and many factors determine whether a plastic can be recycled or not. The difference in the recyclability of plastic types can be attributed to how they are made. Thermoset plastics, for example, contain polymers that form irreversible chemical bonds and cannot be recycled. Thermoset plastics are typically produced from a blend of petrochemical resins that, when cross-linked and cured, form bonds that cannot be broken down. These bonds lock chemical chains into new configurations, allowing the plastic to be shaped without the need for additional materials. Thermoset plastic types include epoxy, phenolic, unsaturated polyester, and urethane. On the other hand, thermoplastics can be re-melted and re-molded.
Examples of non-recyclable plastics include bioplastics, composite plastic, plastic-coated wrapping paper, and polycarbonate. Well-known non-recyclable plastics include cling film, blister packaging, and Styrofoam. Plastic hazardous substance containers, such as automotive fluids, pesticides, and drain cleaners, are also non-recyclable, as they contain hazardous substances. Plastic items used for personal hygiene, such as diapers, feminine hygiene products, syringes, gloves, and tubing, should be disposed of in the trash for the same reason. Plastic items that come into contact with food, such as disposable cups, cutlery, and food trays, are often non-recyclable because they are heavily contaminated and made from low-value plastic resins.
It is important to note that the numbers engraved on plastic items indicate their resin type, which is useful for sorting and recycling purposes. Proper waste management is crucial, as different types of plastic need to be handled and recycled separately.
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Frequently asked questions
The most widely recycled plastic in the world is PET, which is found in beverage bottles, perishable food containers and mouthwash. Other types of plastic that can be recycled include HDPE, LDPE, and PP.
Recycled PET is often turned into fashion items like polar fleece clothing, backpacks, and carpets. It can also be used as a construction material in third-world countries.
Recycled HDPE is made into items like pens, plastic lumber, plastic fencing, picnic tables, and bottles.
Recycled LDPE is used to make garbage cans, paneling, furniture, flooring, and bubble wrap.
The plastics that can be recycled vary by location. Check with your local waste management provider or recycling program to see what types of plastic they accept.
