Chloe Zhang
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 is a resin identification code that tells you what kind of plastic the material is made of. While some plastics are easier to recycle than others, less than 10% of plastic waste generated worldwide has ever been recycled. Numbers 3, 4, and 5 plastics are generally tougher to recycle and are not universally collected in local recycling programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Number | 3, 4, 5 |
| Plastic Type | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP) |
| Plastic Items | Plastic wrappings, grocery bags, food containers, straws, rope, carpet, bottle caps, yogurt cups, ketchup bottles, syrup bottles, plastic bottles, etc. |
| Recyclability | Tough to recycle, not universally collected in local recycling programs, not accepted by most curbside recycling programs |
| Recycling Process | Requires separation from other plastics, compression, melting, removal of residual molecules, solidification |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic #3, #4, #5 are not accepted by most curbside recycling programs
- Plastic #4 is lightweight, hard to store and not easy to recycle
- Plastic #5 is accepted by some curbside recycling programs, but not all
- Plastic #3, #4, #5 are not universally collected in local recycling programs
- Plastic #3, #4, #5 are harder to recycle than #1 and #2 plastics
Plastic #3, #4, #5 are not accepted by most curbside recycling programs
Plastic #3, #4, #5 are generally tougher to recycle and are not universally collected by local recycling programs. They are not accepted by most curbside recycling programs because they are hard-to-recycle plastics that require specialized handling.
Plastics are complicated to recycle, and consumers often don't know what types can be disposed of and in which ways. A product made of plastic is often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. The presence of a resin code doesn't necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. It's the number inside the triangle that counts because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.
Plastics #3, #4, and #5 are among those that are not as widely recycled as #1 and #2 plastics, which are the most commonly recycled plastics. #1 and #2 plastics may be tossed into standard recycling bins, but other plastic types may not be permitted in your bin, depending on your municipality's guidelines.
Plastics #3, #4, and #5 are hard-to-recycle plastics, which include Styrofoam, shrink wrap, and manufacturing scrap. These plastics require specialized handling, and it's not always viable for recycling companies to process them. For example, bags made of type #4 plastic, like grocery bags, shouldn't be put into recycling bins because they can get tangled in the equipment at recycling facilities.
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Plastic #4 is lightweight, hard to store and not easy to recycle
Plastic #4, also known as low-density polyethylene (LDPE), is a lightweight plastic that is challenging to store and recycle. Its lightweight nature makes it prone to tangling in recycling equipment, leading to recycling facilities avoiding its collection in standard recycling bins.
LDPE is commonly used in shopping bags, dry cleaning bags, films, cling wrap, and other forms of lightweight plastic packaging. Its lightweight and flexible properties make it convenient for carrying goods but difficult to store and recycle. Unlike heavier plastics, LDPE bags can easily blow away if not secured properly, leading to storage and disposal challenges.
The recycling process for LDPE plastic is not straightforward. When recycled, LDPE plastic is chipped into pellets, which are then reprocessed into new bags or added to wood pulp to create a plastic/lumber composite. However, LDPE plastic cannot be recycled through standard curbside recycling programs and often requires specialized handling.
To recycle LDPE plastic, individuals should contact their local sanitation or recycling plant to inquire about specific guidelines and drop-off locations. Many grocery stores and retailers also accept clean and dry LDPE bags for recycling, providing collection bins for proper disposal. It is important to ensure that the bags are free of dirt, food particles, and any other contaminants before bringing them in for recycling. Recycling plastic #4 is crucial to improving the environment and reducing plastic pollution.
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Plastic #5 is accepted by some curbside recycling programs, but not all
Plastic #5 is accepted by some curbside recycling programs but not all. This is because recycling programs vary from city to city, and some plastics are harder to recycle than others.
Plastics #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7 are generally harder to recycle and are not as widely collected by local recycling programs. Plastic #5, in particular, is often used in prescription medicine bottles, yoghurt cups, hummus tubs, single-use cutlery, and some packaging for personal care products. It is also used in the lids of single-use drink bottles and a lot of single-use laboratory and medical supplies.
Before 2018, plastic #5 was widely accepted in both curbside and drop-off recycling centres in many countries, including China. However, in 2018, China stopped accepting contaminated plastic waste for recycling due to the high level of contaminated material sent by the US. This meant that other countries, such as the US, had to start dealing with their own plastic waste.
In the US, plastic recycling is becoming a challenge, especially for plastic #5. However, some curbside and drop-off programs are reintroducing #5 rigid plastic recycling, although films and bags remain a problem.
It is important to check with your local municipality or recycling program to confirm whether a plastic material can be recycled in your community.
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Plastic #3, #4, #5 are not universally collected in local recycling programs
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. The presence of a resin code does not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. It is the number inside the triangle that matters because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.
Plastics that have #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled plastics. They are also the most commonly used plastics. HDPE is accepted worldwide because it is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. Most recycling companies will collect HDPE material and take these to large facilities to be processed. PET or PETE is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks. It is also used to make cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars, and containers for other popular food items.
Plastics #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7 are generally tougher to recycle and are not universally collected in local recycling programs. Accepted materials in recycling programs vary from city to city. Always check with your local municipality to confirm that a plastic material can be recycled in your community. For example, bags made of type 4 plastic, like produce and grocery bags, should not be put into recycling bins because they can get tangled in the equipment at recycling facilities. However, grocery stores collect these bags for proper plastics recycling.
Recycling is the best step when single-use plastics cannot be avoided or reused to prevent them from ending up in landfills or harming marine life. However, recycling can be easier said than done. Less than 10% of plastic waste generated worldwide has ever been recycled, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. One of the barriers to recycling plastic is a lack of awareness around the seven plastic recycling symbols, each of which represents a different type of plastic and distinct recycling instructions.
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Plastic #3, #4, #5 are harder to recycle than #1 and #2 plastics
Plastic recycling can be a confusing topic, and it is often hard to know which plastics can be recycled and which cannot. The seven plastic recycling symbols are meant to help consumers identify different types of plastics and their distinct recycling instructions. However, the presence of a resin code does not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled.
Plastics #3, #4, and #5 are harder to recycle than #1 and #2 plastics. This is because #3 plastics are not accepted by most curbside recycling programs. #3 plastics include PVC, which is difficult to recycle due to its different additives. #4 plastics, such as LDPE, are lightweight and take up a lot of space, making them difficult to store and not easy to recycle. While #4 plastics are reusable, not all #4 products are recyclable, and most curbside recycling programs do not accept them. #5 plastics are accepted by some curbside recycling programs, but this is not universal, and it is important to check with local programs before including them in your recycling.
In contrast, #1 and #2 plastics are the most commonly recycled plastics and are accepted by most recycling companies. #1 plastics, or PET/PETE, are used for soda, water, and other drink bottles and can be recycled. #2 plastics, or HDPE, are used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles and are also widely accepted for recycling.
Overall, it is important to check with your local municipality to confirm which plastic materials can be recycled in your community, as accepted materials can vary from place to place.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic recycling numbers 3, 4, and 5 are three of the seven plastic recycling codes, which were invented in 1988 by The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI).
Number 3 plastics are often used for sandwich bags, shrink wrap, grocery bags, squeezable condiment bottles, and bread bags. Number 4 plastics are used for grocery bags, produce bags, and plastic wrappings. Number 5 plastics are used for items like yogurt cups, ketchup bottles, syrup bottles, plastic bottle caps, and "microwave-safe" plastic containers.
Numbers 3, 4, and 5 are generally tougher to recycle and are not universally collected by local recycling programs. Number 3 plastics are not accepted by most curbside recycling programs. Number 4 plastics are reusable but not all products made of them are recyclable. Number 5 plastics are accepted by some curbside recycling programs, but it is important to check with your local program before disposing of them.
Number 3 plastics are not recyclable because they require separation from other plastics due to their high chlorine content and high levels of hazardous additives. Number 4 plastics are not always recyclable because they are so lightweight that it takes a large volume to make them worth selling and they are difficult to store. Number 5 plastics are not universally recyclable and it depends on the local recycling program.
It is recommended to check your municipality's recycling guidelines to see if these plastics can be recycled. If they cannot be recycled, it is best to throw them away. However, to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, it is advisable to avoid plastics with these numbers, especially when microwaving food or beverages.
