Maya Ellison
Plastic is one of the most complex materials to recycle, and not all types of plastic can be recycled. There are seven types of plastic, and the little number found inside the triangle on plastic containers indicates the type of resin used to produce the plastic. Generally, plastics numbered 1 and 2 are widely accepted by recyclers, while plastics numbered 3 to 6 are more difficult to recycle and may not be accepted by all recycling centers. Plastic number 7 is the most challenging to recycle and is often excluded from the recycling process. Additionally, certain plastics like polystyrene (number 7) and polyvinyl chloride (number 3) are not recyclable through standard collections.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Number | 3, 6, 7 |
| Plastic Type | Polyvinyl Chloride, Polystyrene |
| Other Plastic Types | LDPE, PP |
| Plastic Number that can be recycled | 1, 2 |
| Plastic Type that can be recycled | PET, HDPE |
| Hard-to-recycle plastics | Styrofoam, shrink wrap, manufacturing scrap |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic #3, or polyvinyl chloride, cannot be recycled
Plastic is one of the most complicated materials to recycle. Consumers often don't know which types of plastic can be disposed of and in which ways. There are seven different types of plastic resins, numbered from 1 to 7, with 7 being 'other' and encompassing multiple plastic types or other types that are hard to recycle.
Plastic #3, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is a soft, flexible plastic used for a wide range of household products, including plastic tubing, kids' toys, plastic trays, and furniture. It is also used for piping. However, despite its widespread use, PVC is difficult to recycle and is not accepted by standard recycling collections.
PVC products are made from various formulations and additives, making it nearly impossible to separate and break them down into their original components for recycling. When PVC is recycled, it often results in inferior, lower-quality products. Furthermore, a single PVC bottle can contaminate a batch of 100,000 recycled non-chlorinated bottles, rendering the entire batch unusable.
The difficulty in recycling PVC stems from the fact that it is composed of toxic chemicals such as vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and ethylene dichloride (EDC). When PVC is burned in incinerators, it releases dioxin, a highly toxic byproduct, into the atmosphere and waterways. Similarly, disposing of PVC in landfills results in dioxin poisoning of the soil and groundwater.
Due to the challenges and environmental concerns associated with recycling PVC, it is important to reduce consumption and properly dispose of this type of plastic to minimize its impact on the environment.
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Plastic #7 is challenging to recycle and is almost always excluded
Plastic recycling is a complex process. Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. However, the presence of a resin code does not guarantee recyclability; it is the number inside the triangle that indicates the plastic type, and each type has different recycling requirements.
Plastics numbered 1 and 2 are generally accepted by standard recycling bins and can be recycled by most local municipalities. These include plastics like PET or PETE, which are used for soda, water, and other drink bottles, as well as HDPE plastics, which are used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent containers.
However, Plastic #7 is challenging to recycle and is often excluded from standard recycling processes. Plastic #7, also known as "other" plastics, includes items made from multiple plastic types or unique plastic types that are difficult to recycle. These plastics often require specialized handling and are not always accepted by local recycling programs. Some examples of Plastic #7 items include Styrofoam, shrink wrap, and manufacturing scrap.
Additionally, Plastic #7 can be challenging to identify, especially if it lacks the recycling number. When in doubt, plastics that don't fit into the first six categories (resin codes 1-6) are likely Plastic #7. These plastics may be made from various materials, including bio-based sources like potato, sugar, or corn derivatives.
While some curbside recycling programs may accept Plastic #7 items, it is essential to check with local solid waste management or recycling offices to understand their specific policies and guidelines.
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Plastic bags are not recycled as they tangle in recycling machinery
Plastic bags, also known as low-density polyethylene or LDPE (#4 plastic), are widely used by grocery stores and other retailers. While LDPE can technically be recycled, it often is not due to the challenges it poses during the recycling process. The bags' flexibility and thin material cause them to bend easily and become tangled in the sorting machinery. This can lead to equipment downtime and increased labor costs as the tangled bags need to be manually removed.
The issue of plastic bag tangling in machinery is so prevalent that many recycling programs do not accept plastic bags in their curbside collection. Instead, residents are often instructed to return plastic bags to grocery stores or other designated drop-off locations for proper recycling. These locations typically collect the bags and send them to regional warehouses for aggregation. However, even with these measures in place, the ultimate destination and recycling process for plastic bags remain unclear in many cases.
To avoid contamination and ensure a smooth recycling process, it is essential to keep plastic bags out of the recycled waste stream. This includes not placing plastic bags in recycling bins, even if they are marked as recyclable. Instead, individuals should look for alternative ways to dispose of or recycle plastic bags responsibly. Some best practices include returning them to designated drop-off locations, reusing them, or avoiding their use altogether.
Additionally, it is worth noting that other types of plastic, such as plastics numbered 3, 6, and 7, also face recycling challenges. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), for instance, cannot be recycled through normal collections. Understanding which plastics can be recycled and following local guidelines is crucial for effective waste management.
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Polystyrene is not generally recyclable and is often found in the ocean and on beaches
Plastic is the most common form of marine debris, and polystyrene is a type of plastic that is often found in the ocean and on beaches. Polystyrene is typically used for cheap, disposable foodware such as cups, plates, and clamshells, as well as for packaging to protect goods during shipping. It is also used in the construction industry for building insulation. While polystyrene is lightweight, buoyant, and water-resistant, it is not generally recyclable.
Polystyrene is made from non-renewable fossil fuels and synthetic chemicals and comes in two main forms: expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and rigid polystyrene. EPS foam is commonly used for disposable foodware and packaging, while rigid polystyrene is used for items such as disposable cutlery, plastic models, and smoke detector housings.
The problem with polystyrene is that it is often used once and then discarded, leading to significant pollution. Its lightweight and buoyant properties mean that it can easily be carried by streams and storm drains directly into the ocean or Great Lakes. Once in the water, plastic debris, including polystyrene, never fully biodegrades. Instead, it breaks down into smaller pieces, known as microplastics, which can be harmful to marine life.
Some cities have banned EPS due to the environmental concerns associated with its disposal. For example, San Diego, Miami Beach, Seattle, and Washington, DC, have prohibited the use of EPS in foodware. Other places, like San Francisco, have gone even further, regulating EPS products such as packing materials, coolers, and beach toys. Despite these efforts, polystyrene continues to be a significant source of plastic pollution in the ocean and on beaches.
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Plastic #6 is not recycled
Plastic #6, also known as polystyrene, is a petroleum-based product that is considered carcinogenic and harmful to both human and environmental health. While it is "accepted" by some local recycling haulers, it is often not recoverable and is sorted out at Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) or recycling centres. #6 plastics are sometimes mixed with other low-value plastics and sent overseas, where they are further sorted, melted down into a #7 "other" plastic, or burned as fuel.
Small plastic items, like utensils, straws, and bottle caps, are often made from polystyrene. These items are challenging to recycle because they don't fall easily out of recycling sorting lines like larger containers do. The debris from these small items is usually too mixed and difficult to sort, ultimately ending up in landfills. Additionally, foam items and #6 hard plastics have little value as post-consumer commodities, and there is not a strong buyer's market for sorted polystyrene from recycling facilities.
The higher melting temperature of polystyrene adds to the cost of its recycling process, making it less likely to be recycled or used in post-consumer recycled product manufacturing. To recycle polystyrene effectively, specialized handling and processing are required, which can be complex and costly. Furthermore, polystyrene products often end up as black or grey recycled materials, making them unsuitable for reuse in packaging.
Due to the challenges and costs associated with recycling Plastic #6, it is often not recycled. To promote sustainability and reduce the harmful effects of this type of plastic, it is essential to limit the use of single-use polystyrene items and encourage the selection of compostable and recyclable alternatives.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic #7 is the most challenging to recycle and is almost always excluded.
Types #3, #4, #5, and #6 are more difficult to recycle, and some recycling centres do not process them.
The most widely recycled plastic in the world is PET or #1.
