Maya Ellison
Plastic is everywhere, and it's a key concern for environmentalists, governments, and organisations. Plastic can take hundreds of years to biodegrade, and it takes up landfill space and pollutes the oceans, so recycling is critical. However, not all plastics are created equal, and only about 9% of plastic waste is recycled. In theory, almost all plastic can be recycled, but in practice, there are barriers. Some plastics are hard to separate and melt down, and some aren't widely collected or recycled. Some plastics are also hard to recycle because of their design or the additives and colorants used in their production. The most widely recycled plastic is PET, which is often used for bottles and polyester fibres. HDPE is also commonly recycled and is typically used for packaging. LDPE, used for plastic bags, can technically be recycled, but it's not always accepted by recycling centres as it can get tangled in machinery. PVC is not commonly recycled, but when it is, it's often used for pipes and fittings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic resin codes | Numbers range from 1 to 7, with 7 being 'other' |
| PET/PETE | Used for bottles for soda, water, and other drinks; can be recycled |
| HDPE | Used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers, and detergent bottles; can be recycled |
| PVC | Used for plastic tubing, kids' toys, plastic trays, and furniture; cannot be recycled |
| LDPE | Used for plastic bags, bubble wrap, and plastic wrappings; can be recycled but not widely accepted |
| PP | Can sometimes be recycled |
| PS | Used for disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers, and to-go food containers; can sometimes be recycled |
| Number 1 and 2 plastics | Can be tossed into standard recycling bins |
| Polypropylene (number 5) | Recycled by some facilities; commonly used for yoghurt containers |
| Styrofoam | Incredibly hard to recycle |
| Bioplastics | Non-recyclable |
| Composite plastic | Non-recyclable |
| Plastic-coated wrapping paper | Non-recyclable |
| Polycarbonate | Non-recyclable |
| Mechanical recycling | Washing, grinding, and melting plastic |
| Chemical recycling | Breaking down plastic into monomers to form new polymers |
| Recycling rate | Only about 9% of plastic waste is recycled, according to 2018 data |
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What You'll Learn
PET is the most recycled plastic globally
Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, is the most widely recycled plastic globally. PET is a clear, durable, lightweight, and versatile plastic that is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks, as well as cooking oil containers and plastic peanut butter jars. It is also used for rigid packaging, representing 90% of the plastic bottles on the market.
PET is recognised by the number 1 inside a triangle, which facilitates the recycling process by helping to separate the material for the formation of flakes. These flakes can then be spun into yarn and used to manufacture clothes and other textile products. Alternatively, PET can be recycled into new bottles, reducing the environmental impact of producing new plastic bottles by lowering total energy consumption and limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
The latest global statistics show that in 2011, approximately 7.5 million tons of PET were collected worldwide. Brazil, for example, recycled 55% of PET packaging in 2019, reusing 311,000 tons and generating a turnover of R$3.6 billion. In the United States, approximately 31% of PET is recycled, while Europe has a higher recycling rate of 52%.
Despite being a relatively easy plastic to recycle, some countries are still struggling to reach decent recycling rates for PET. While India, Europe, and South Korea have recycling rates above 50%, other countries like the US and China need to improve their numbers. Mechanical and chemical recycling are the two major methods for PET recycling, but closed-loop recycling is challenging for many PET applications, causing a significant portion of used PET to leak into the environment.
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HDPE is 100% recyclable
HDPE, or High-Density Polyethylene, is a type of plastic that is 100% recyclable. It is a versatile material that is strong, lightweight, malleable, impact-resistant, weather-resistant, and long-lasting. This makes it suitable for a wide range of products and industries, including milk jugs, fuel tanks, piping, children's toys, and packaging.
The recyclability of HDPE is due to its unique properties as a thermoplastic. Thermoplastics, like HDPE, have the ability to become softer when heated and can be moulded into new shapes. Once cooled, they harden again without any alteration to their material properties. This makes HDPE ideal for recycling, as it can be melted down and reshaped into new products.
The recycling process for HDPE typically involves shredding, melting, and pelletization. The plastic is shredded into small pieces, melted down to produce a homogeneous mixture, and then formed into pellets or granulates. These pellets can then be used to create new products, such as shopping bags, storage bins, detergent containers, automotive parts, and garden furniture.
HDPE is one of the most widely collected and recycled plastic materials. Its recovery rate is second only to PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), which is commonly used for bottles and polyester fibres. By recycling HDPE, we can reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans and contribute to a more sustainable future.
However, it is important to note that while HDPE itself is 100% recyclable, not all products made from HDPE are necessarily accepted by local recycling programs. For example, some municipalities may only allow Type 1 and Type 2 plastics in standard recycling bins, while other types may require specialized handling or separate collection. Therefore, it is essential to check with local guidelines and recycling facilities to ensure proper disposal and recycling of HDPE products.
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LDPE is cheap and low-quality, so it's rarely recycled
LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is a thermoplastic made from the monomer ethylene. It is thin, soft, flexible, and relatively weak compared to other plastics. It is also very cheap and low-quality. While LDPE technically can be recycled, it is not always accepted by recyclers due to the costs and complications involved in the process.
LDPE is used in the creation of many common products, including plastic bags, bubble wrap, cling film, and bottle tops. The soft and flexible nature of LDPE products means they can get caught in and tangle recycling machinery, causing damage to equipment and risking the endangerment of the entire recycling process. This makes LDPE recycling costly and not financially worthwhile.
Additionally, LDPE products are more likely to be contaminated, which can further complicate the recycling process. LDPE must also be separated from other types of plastic, such as HDPE, due to its different structural properties. This separation adds another layer of complexity and expense to the recycling process.
The difficulties in recycling LDPE have resulted in low recycling rates for this type of plastic. In 2015, only 6.2% of LDPE generated that year was recycled, compared to recycling rates of 18.4% and 10.3% for plastics type #1 and #2 (PET and HDPE), respectively.
Despite the challenges, some organisations, like Miller Recycling, accept LDPE for processing and offer competitive prices for recyclable plastics. Recycled LDPE can be used to create a range of products, including garbage cans, manufactured lumber, shipping envelopes, and compost bins. While LDPE is cheap and low-quality, its recycling is still important for the environment as plastic can take up to 1000 years to biodegrade, causing long-term pollution and environmental damage.
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PVC is not commonly recycled
Polyvinyl Chloride, commonly known as PVC, is a plastic material that is widely used in various industries due to its durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. It is commonly used in construction, packaging, and other consumer products, including pipes, cables, flooring, and medical equipment. Despite its widespread use, PVC is not commonly recycled.
The recycling process for PVC is complex and not widely implemented. It requires specialized facilities and mechanical recycling processes. While PVC can be recycled multiple times, with a product life of 100 years, recycled PVC has the potential to last up to 600 years. However, the statistics on PVC waste generation and management globally are poor, and government waste policies and management strategies do not adequately address the environmental impacts of PVC waste.
One challenge in recycling PVC is that it can be difficult to separate and sort from other materials, leading to contamination. Additionally, the chemical composition of PVC makes incineration or landfill disposal dangerous and harmful to the environment. The incineration of PVC can release toxic gases like dioxins and hydrogen chloride, which can cause environmental harm if not properly filtered.
Another obstacle to PVC recycling is the presence of process additives, such as stabilizers and plasticizers, which are commonly used in PVC processing. These additives are prohibited substances due to the potential damage they can cause to installations during thermal recycling. Furthermore, the manufacturing process of PVC can release dangerous chemicals, and the chlorine in PVC can create dioxin, a heavy-duty environmental pollutant when incinerated.
Despite these challenges, there are ongoing efforts to improve PVC recycling. Some companies specialize in recycling PVC, developing innovative technologies to increase efficiency and safety. Additionally, advancements in recycling technology, such as optical sorting and chemical recycling innovations, hold promise for improving the efficiency of separating and recycling PVC.
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Only 9% of plastic waste is recycled (and it's not always easy to do so)
Plastic is everywhere, and it is easy to assume that when we toss it into the recycling bin, it will be processed and turned into something new. However, the reality is that only a fraction of plastic is actually recycled. In 2018, just 8.7% of the plastic discarded in the US was recycled. This is because recycling plastic is challenging for several reasons.
Firstly, plastic is not a single material but encompasses a wide range of materials, each with distinct properties and uses. Plastic products are often made of mixtures of many chemicals, making it difficult to isolate a base material that can be recovered and reused. For example, most plastics worsen in quality when recycled, a process known as downcycling. Additionally, different types of plastics need to be separated before they can be recycled properly, as they melt at different temperatures and cannot be recycled together. This separation process is time-consuming and costly. Certain types of plastics, such as black plastic food trays, are particularly challenging to separate due to their dark colour.
Secondly, there is little financial incentive to recycle plastic. It is often cheaper to manufacture new plastic from scratch than to recycle old plastic into something new. For instance, LDPE, a cheap and low-quality plastic, is rarely recycled as it is not financially worthwhile. Plastic bags, a common product made from LDPE, can also tangle in recycling machinery, endangering the recycling process.
The recycling process for plastic is further complicated by the fact that it is managed at a local level, with varying capabilities and guidelines. For instance, in California, the benefit of recycling plastic may not outweigh the water used to clean it. Additionally, the long-distance transportation of plastic waste to developing countries for sorting and processing, a common practice in the past, is no longer feasible due to the environmental and health costs.
Despite these challenges, recycling plastic is possible, and incredible products can be created from this process. The most widely recycled plastic globally is PET, which is relatively easy to recycle and is often reused for bottles or polyester fibres. Other types of plastic, such as HDPE, can also be recycled and are commonly accepted at most recycling centres. However, it is essential to be mindful of the types of plastic that can be recycled and to follow local guidelines to ensure a smooth recycling process.
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Frequently asked questions
In principle, almost all plastic can be recycled. However, in practice, there are a variety of different barriers that can undermine this process. For example, products made using LDPE, a flexible and less toxic plastic, are not typically recycled. This includes shrink wrap, dry cleaner bags, shopping bags, and more. Another commonly used plastic that is not often recycled is PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, which is used for a huge array of household products like plastic tubing, kids' toys, and furniture.
LDPE stands for Low-Density Polyethylene. It is a very cheap and low-quality plastic, making its recycling financially unviable. It is also difficult to recycle as it can tangle in recycling machinery.
PET, or Polyethylene Terephthalate, is the most recycled plastic globally. It is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks, as well as cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars, and other food containers. It is lightweight, cheap, and easy to recycle.
PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride, is a soft, flexible plastic used for a wide range of household products. It is hardy, strong, and diverse, and can be either rigid or elastic.
Incredibly hard-to-recycle plastics include crisp packets, salad bags, plastic wrap, and Styrofoam. These plastics often require specialized handling and are not accepted by all recycling companies.
