Alexei Volkov
The state of Virginia has been working towards improving its recycling efforts. In 2020, Braven Environmental and Governor Northam announced plans to open the first advanced recycling plant in Virginia in Cumberland County. However, these plans were cancelled in early 2022. While legislation to ban single-use plastics has been proposed and rejected in the past, some localities in northern Virginia have taken the initiative to stop accepting glass curbside and instead implemented a new drop-off initiative. The recycling of plastic waste in Virginia depends on the Resin Identification Code (RIC) number on plastic items, which indicates the type of resin used. However, the recyclability of plastic items is determined by whether there is a buyer for the recovered plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic recycling in Virginia | Less than 10% of plastic waste was being recycled as of 2018 |
| Resin Identification Code (RIC) | Indicates the type of resin used to manufacture the container |
| RIC's impact on recyclability | Does not indicate whether something is recyclable or not |
| Recyclability | Depends on whether there is a buyer for the recovered plastic |
| Plastic items to recycle | Bottles, jugs, and jars |
| Plastic items to refuse | Single-use plastic items, such as bags, water bottles, takeout containers, cups, and straws |
| Advanced recycling in Virginia | Plans for advanced recycling facilities have faced opposition and cancellations |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bottles, jugs, and jars are recyclable
Before placing plastic bottles, jugs, or jars in the recycling, it is important to ensure they are empty and clean. Rinse bottles, jugs, and jars before recycling to remove any food or liquid residue. This is important as remnants often contain sugar, which can attract insects and generate odors. It is also crucial to check with your local recycling program whether to keep caps on the bottles or remove them. Some programs prefer caps on to prevent loose caps from falling out during transportation, while others prefer caps off to ensure bottles are empty and to avoid damage to their recycling machinery.
When recycling plastic bottles and jugs, it is important to separate them from other types of plastic. Most bottles and jugs are made from #1 plastic (PET) or #2 plastic (HDPE), which are widely accepted by curbside recycling programs. However, you may occasionally find bottles made from #3-#7 plastics, and these may not be collected by your local curbside program. It is always best to check with your local program to understand what types of plastic they accept.
In addition, it is essential to ensure that plastic bottles and jugs have not previously held hazardous materials. Empty containers that held motor oil, pesticides, herbicides, or antifreeze should be disposed of separately and not placed in your household recycling bin. These types of containers often cannot be recycled into new bottles or jugs due to concerns about residual product contamination. Instead, these containers must be properly disposed of through household hazardous waste collection events in your area.
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Single-use plastics are not recycled
While Virginia has been working towards meeting its recycling targets, single-use plastics remain a significant challenge for the state and the country. Single-use plastics are designed to be used once or for a short period before disposal, and their recycling is not a viable option with current technology.
The reality is that most single-use plastics cannot be recycled in the United States, despite widespread "recycling" symbols and marketing claims. A Greenpeace report reveals that only plastic #1 and #2 bottles and jugs meet the legal standard to be labelled as recyclable. All other types, numbered 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, often end up in landfills or incinerators, contributing to environmental pollution.
In Virginia, legislation to ban single-use plastics has been proposed and rejected multiple times. The city of Virginia Beach, for instance, has advocated for such a ban and requested help from the state. However, the state continues to struggle with meeting its recycling goals, and the future of recycling in Virginia is uncertain.
The challenges with single-use plastic recycling have led to a wave of bans across the United States and the globe. Many cities and institutions have outlawed plastic straws, and at least 12 states have passed laws banning plastic bags. These bans are an effective way to prevent millions of tons of plastic from entering the waste stream each year.
While chemical recycling, which breaks down plastic waste to a molecular level, has been explored, it is not yet a scalable solution. As a result, reducing plastic consumption and transitioning to reusable alternatives remain the most effective ways to address the issue of single-use plastics.
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The RIC number doesn't indicate recyclability
The RIC, or Resin Identification Code, was first introduced in 1988 by the US Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI). The SPI stated that one of the original purposes of the code was to "provide a consistent national system to facilitate the recycling of post-consumer plastics". The system was designed to make it easier for workers in recycling facilities to sort and separate items according to their resin type.
However, despite the presence of the chasing arrows symbol, the RIC was never intended to indicate the recyclability of a product. Instead, the RIC identifies the type of resin used to create a plastic item. Unfortunately, this has led to ongoing consumer confusion, with many people mistaking the RIC for a recycling symbol and assuming that items with an RIC can be recycled. This confusion has been further exacerbated by the resemblance of the RIC to the universal recycling symbol, which is a generic indicator of recyclability.
To address this issue, ASTM International, a standards-setting organization, introduced a new RIC coding system in 2013 that replaced the chasing arrows symbol with a solid triangle. This change was made to reduce confusion over recyclability. However, as of a 2022 report, most states in the US still require that plastic RIC codes include the chasing arrows symbol.
In Virginia, there have been efforts to improve recycling practices and reduce contamination. For example, localities in northern Virginia have stopped accepting glass curbside and instead implemented a drop-off initiative featuring large purple bins. Additionally, legislation to ban single-use plastics has been proposed and rejected multiple times in the state. While Virginia has set recycling targets for local governments, there is a lack of enforcement beyond the development of action plans.
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Recycled plastic is sold based on type, quantity, and location
Plastic is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW). It is found in all major MSW categories, with the containers and packaging category having the most plastic tonnage. This includes bags, sacks, and wraps, as well as other packaging. Plastic is also used in durable goods such as appliances, furniture, and casings of lead-acid batteries. The type of plastic varies depending on its use. For example, plastic food service items are generally made of clear or foamed polystyrene, while trash bags are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
In Virginia, recycled plastic is sold based on type, quantity, and location. Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and Fairfax County are some of the most populous areas in the state, with Chesapeake making it convenient and profitable to sell plastic scrap. The cleaner the material, the higher the value for companies that have to sell it. For example, plastic bottles are accepted for recycling in Virginia, but they need to be clean and dry.
The plastic recycling process typically involves compounding, where various blends of materials are melt-blended and then pelletized. These pellets are then processed into unique plastic objects through extrusion or a different molding process. The specific type of plastic produced depends on the basic monomers used. For instance, monomers such as ethylene and propylene are linked together to form long polymer chains in a polymerization reactor, resulting in thermoplastics or thermosets.
The majority of plastic today is synthetic, derived from crude oil, natural gas, or coal. However, there is a growing demand for newer plastics from renewable resources, such as biobased plastics made from carbohydrates, starch, vegetable fats and oils, bacteria, and other biological substances.
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Virginia has advanced plastic recycling facilities
Virginia has been taking steps to improve its plastic recycling capabilities, with a focus on advanced recycling facilities. In 2021, the state reclassified advanced recycling facilities as manufacturing sites, exempting them from landfill and waste management regulations. This move was driven by the American Chemistry Council, which successfully lobbied the Virginia General Assembly and 13 other state legislatures to adopt this classification.
The push for advanced recycling in Virginia is part of a broader effort to reduce plastic waste and increase recycling rates. In 2018, the state buried 1.3 million tons of plastic waste in landfills, highlighting the need for improved recycling infrastructure. Advanced recycling facilities are designed to capture a wider range of plastic materials, including #3 polyvinyl chloride (PVC), #4 low-density polyethylene, #5 polypropylene, and #6 polystyrene. By accepting these additional types of plastics, Virginia's advanced recycling plants aim to increase the overall plastics recycling rate to 65%.
One example of Virginia's advanced recycling initiatives is the "Great Polystyrene Compromise of 2021," which banned major restaurant chains from using non-biodegradable plastic foam by 2023. This compromise aimed to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastic and encourage the use of environmentally sustainable alternatives. However, the implementation of this ban has faced opposition from some groups, including the Virginia Manufacturers Association, which raised concerns about the limited availability of sustainable alternatives and the lack of facilities to compost them.
Despite these challenges, Virginia continues to make strides in plastic recycling. The state has set recycling targets for local governments, and localities have implemented initiatives to improve recycling practices. For instance, northern Virginia localities have introduced a new drop-off program for glass recycling, resulting in cleaner material that can be used in construction projects. Additionally, cities like Roanoke have imposed a small tax on disposable plastic bags to encourage shoppers to bring reusable bags, demonstrating Virginia's commitment to reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable practices.
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Frequently asked questions
The RIC is the number in the triangle on the bottom of plastic containers, indicating what resin was used to manufacture the container. The RIC does not indicate whether something is recyclable or not.
Most plastic items can technically be recycled into another form, but this depends on whether there is a buyer for the recovered plastic. Therefore, it is important to follow your recycling collector's guidelines regarding what plastics they accept.
Plastic bottles, jugs, and jars are accepted for recycling in Virginia.
Single-use plastic items such as plastic bags, water bottles, takeout containers, cups, and straws are often not recyclable and can end up as litter in oceans and rivers.
