Omar Khalid
Plastic waste is a key concern for environmentalists, governments, and organisations, as the vast majority of plastics are disposed of in non-environmentally friendly ways. Plastic recycling is critical to improving the environment and bettering waste management solutions. While almost all plastic can be recycled in theory, in practice, there are a variety of barriers that can undermine this process. For example, not all plastic is widely recyclable, and energy from incineration is not possible as burning plastics releases harmful gases. Additionally, items can include multiple types of plastic and different layers that are hard to separate, making the process difficult and costly. Some common plastic products that can be recycled include PET, found in plastic drink bottles and microwavable food trays, and HDPE, found in plastic grocery bags, drink bottles, and non-food containers. However, it's important to check with local recycling programs, as the accepted materials may vary.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bottles
It is important to note that not all plastic bottles are created equal when it comes to recycling. Some bottles are made from HDPE, a resilient plastic commonly used for milk jugs, detergent containers, and shampoo bottles. These bottles can also be recycled and are often accepted in curbside recycling programs. However, it is always a good idea to check with your local recycling guidelines, as some areas may have specific requirements or limitations.
Plastic bottle caps, on the other hand, are typically made from PP (polypropylene), which is more challenging to recycle. PP is widely used as a packaging material, but only a small percentage of it is recycled, with most ending up in landfills. Additionally, LDPE, a plastic used for grocery bags, is not typically accepted in curbside recycling bins due to its tendency to tangle in the machinery.
While recycling plastic bottles is a step in the right direction, it is essential to recognize that even recycled bottles can contribute to environmental issues. The recycling process can result in a decrease in quality, and recycled PET bottles may be downcycled into products like fiber or wood replacements rather than new bottles. To break this cycle, it is crucial to reduce our reliance on single-use plastic bottles and support companies that offer refillable and reusable alternatives.
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Plastic bags
However, some grocery stores will take LDPE packaging in their HDPE recycling program, and there are thousands of retail stores and drop-off centres across the US that accept plastic film packaging for recycling. These retailers collect plastic film packaging from consumers and back-haul this plastic film to multiple businesses that recycle it into new products.
If you are unsure, it is always best to check with your local recycling centre.
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Plastic food packaging
Many plastic food packaging materials are designed to be recycled and are accepted by local recycling programs. For example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is one of the most widely used and recycled plastic resins. It is commonly found in plastic drink bottles and microwavable food trays, and most can be disposed of in standard curbside recycling bins. HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is another commonly recycled plastic. It is used in plastic grocery bags, drink bottles (e.g. milk jugs), and non-food containers (such as shampoo bottles). However, it is important to note that plastic grocery bags are notoriously hard to recycle and often cannot be recycled in curbside recycling bins.
Some types of plastic food packaging are more difficult to recycle. For example, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a strong and highly resistant plastic commonly found in meat wraps and blister packs. Due to the chemicals used in its manufacture, PVC is challenging to recycle and can contaminate a large amount of recycled plastic. Similarly, LDPE (low-density polyethylene), which is used in bread and frozen food wrappers, is not typically recycled in curbside recycling bins due to its film form. However, some grocery stores may accept LDPE packaging through special recycling programs. PP (polypropylene), which is commonly used in bottle caps, is another plastic that is technically recyclable but often ends up in landfills due to the financial and practical challenges of recycling it.
It is important to note that recycled plastic intended for food contact, including food packaging, must undergo a rigorous decontamination process to ensure chemical and microbiological safety. Studies have found that recycled food contact plastics can be "vectors" for toxins, with higher levels of potential contaminants than virgin plastic. However, regulations are in place to ensure the safety of recycled plastic FCMs, and improvements are continuously being made to increase the recyclability of plastic and reduce plastic waste.
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Plastic household products
One of the most widely recycled and used plastic resins is PET, which is found in plastic drink bottles and microwavable food trays. These can usually be disposed of in standard recycling bins. HDPE is another common plastic, used in plastic grocery bags, drink bottles (like milk jugs), and non-food containers such as shampoo bottles. While plastic bags are difficult to recycle and often require returning to the store, other HDPE products can be recycled in standard bins. LDPE, a low-density polyethylene, is used for plastic bags, bread and frozen food wrappers, and dry cleaning bags. This type of plastic can be recycled, but often isn't accepted in curbside recycling bins. Some grocery stores will accept LDPE packaging as part of their recycling programs.
PP, or polypropylene, is one of the most popular plastic packaging materials globally, but only a small percentage is recycled in the US. It is used for bottle caps, and while it can be recycled, it usually can't be done in the same process as the bottles themselves. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a strong, impact-resistant plastic used in meat wraps, medical packaging, pipes, and blister packs. It is very difficult to recycle, and even a small amount can contaminate a large quantity of recycled plastic due to the chemicals used in its manufacture.
It is important to always check with local recycling programs to confirm what specific materials they can recycle, as this can vary by area. For example, some localities do not accept styrofoam or plastic bags in curbside recycling, and some types of plastic may be accepted in some areas but not others. Additionally, some plastics are not intended for traditional recycling bins, such as compostable plastics, which can contaminate the recycling stream if mixed with non-compostable plastics. These often require special drop-off locations or industrial composting facilities.
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Plastic with resin codes 1-6
Plastic products are labelled with Resin Identification Codes (RIC) to help recycling facilities sort and separate items according to their resin type. The RIC consists of a solid triangle that encloses a number.
Plastic with Resin Code 1: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)
This is the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages because it's inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to recycle. It is also used for clear plastic bottles, cups, and other packaging. PET can be recycled into polyester fabric and filling for fleeces, carpets, and cushion fillings. It can also be reused as rPET plastic to create new plastic bottles.
Plastic with Resin Code 2: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
HDPE is a resilient plastic film commonly used in plastic grocery bags, drink bottles (e.g. milk jugs), and non-food containers (e.g. shampoo or detergent bottles). While plastic bags are hard to recycle, HDPE products can often be recycled through curbside programs. HDPE is also downcycled into plastic lumber, tables, roadside curbs, benches, and other durable products.
Plastic with Resin Code 3: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
PVC is a strong, impact-resistant plastic that is commonly used in meat wraps, medical packaging, pipes, and blister packs/clamshell packaging. However, it is very difficult to recycle due to the chemicals used in its manufacture.
Plastic with Resin Code 4: Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
LDPE is used for plastic bags, six-pack rings, and tubing. It can be technically recycled, but it is often not accepted in curbside recycling programs due to the risk of tangling in machinery. Some grocery stores may accept LDPE packaging for recycling. When recycled, LDPE can be transformed into bin liners and packaging films.
Plastic with Resin Code 5: Polypropylene (PP)
PP is one of the most popular plastic packaging materials globally and is used for products like bottle caps, auto parts, industrial fibres, and food containers that hold hot liquids. It is gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers, but only a small percentage is currently recycled.
Plastic with Resin Code 6: Polystyrene (PS)
Polystyrene is used for plastic utensils, Styrofoam, cafeteria trays, takeout food packaging, packing peanuts, and plastic cutlery. It is recommended to avoid using polystyrene containers marked with resin code #6, especially when microwaving food or beverages.
It is important to note that the acceptability of these plastic resins for recycling may vary based on your local programs and facilities. Always check with your local recycling guidelines to confirm which specific types of plastic they can process.
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Frequently asked questions
The types of plastic that can be recycled vary depending on your location and the capabilities of your local recycling centre. It's always best to check with your local recycling program to confirm what's recyclable in your area. Generally, the lower the resin code, the more likely the plastic type is to be easily recyclable. Numbers 1-6 indicate the type of plastic, and number 7 is 'other'.
PET is one of the most widely used and recycled plastic resins. It is found in plastic drink bottles and microwavable food trays and can be disposed of in standard recycling bins.
LDPE is a very cheap and low-quality plastic that is hard to recycle. It is often used in shrink wrap, dry cleaning bags, and bread and frozen food wrappers. It is not accepted in most curbside recycling bins.
