Sofia Martinez
Plastic is everywhere, and while we know we should recycle it, it's not always easy to know what plastic goes in the recycle bin. Plastic takes 500-1000 years to biodegrade, so it's important to recycle it to reduce landfill waste and conserve natural resources and energy. However, not all plastic is widely recyclable, and some plastics are very difficult to recycle, like PVC, LDPE, and bioplastics. Even if a plastic type can be recycled, your local municipality might not accept it for recycling. The general rule of thumb is that the lower the resin code, the more likely the plastic is to be easily recyclable. The resin code is the number between one and seven inside a small triangle on the plastic product. Most recycling facilities accept plastics #1 and #2, while plastics #3 to #7 are more difficult to recycle.
What plastic goes in the recycle bin?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic resin codes | Numbers ranging from 1 to 7, with 7 being 'other' |
| Recyclable plastics | PET, HDPE, LDPE, Polypropylene |
| Non-recyclable plastics | PVC, Bioplastics, Composite plastic, Plastic-coated wrapping paper, Polycarbonate, Cling film, Blister packaging |
| Hard-to-recycle plastics | Plastic bags, Styrofoam, Crisp packets, Salad bags, Plastic wrap, Shrink wrap, Manufacturing scrap |
| Recyclable containers | Plastic drink bottles, Microwavable food trays, Milk jugs, Shampoo bottles, Detergent bottles, Oil bottles, Margarine and yogurt containers, Water bottles |
| Non-recyclable containers | Plastic bowls/plates with food waste, Plastic takeout containers |
| Other factors | Check with your local recycling program, as acceptance varies |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic bags and packaging film are non-recyclable in most cases
- Only put plastics numbered 1 and 2 in the bin—others are hard to recycle
- Food waste on plastic is considered contaminated and is thrown in landfill
- LDPE plastics are used for bags and wrappers but can't be recycled at home
- PVC is a soft, flexible plastic that's hard to recycle and is toxic throughout its life cycle
Plastic bags and packaging film are non-recyclable in most cases
Plastic bags are among the most common sources of marine debris, where they can be mistaken for food by birds and fish. They also take up landfill space and pollute the environment for hundreds of years. While it may seem like the eco-friendly thing to do to put all plastics in the recycling bin, doing so can actually decrease the amount of plastic that gets recycled because it makes separating out the easily recyclable materials more difficult.
However, plastic bags and films are recyclable in some cases. The key is to check with your local recycling program, as some programs do accept plastic bags and films. Most drop-off bag collections accept polyethylene film, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE or #2 plastic) and low-density polyethylene (#4 plastic or LDPE).
If your local program does accept plastic bags and films, there are some important things to keep in mind. First, make sure the bags are clean and dry, free of any food residue, stickers, labels, staples, and receipts. Second, put all bags into one bag and tie it at the top so that recycling workers can easily remove it before it goes into the sorting machine. And third, do not bag your recycling; curbside collection should be loose in the bin.
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Only put plastics numbered 1 and 2 in the bin—others are hard to recycle
Plastic is notoriously hard to recycle, and it can take between 500 and 1000 years to biodegrade. It's important to recycle plastic to conserve natural resources and energy, but only certain types of plastic are widely recycled.
Plastics are sorted according to their resin type, which is indicated by a number, usually found inside a small triangle on the plastic. The numbers range from 1 to 7, with 7 being 'other'. The lower the number, the more likely the plastic is to be easily recyclable. Plastics numbered 3 through 7 are the least recyclable, and some recycling centers do not process them at all.
Therefore, it's best to only put plastics numbered 1 and 2 in your recycling bin. These are the types of plastic that most recyclers accept. Number 1 plastic, or PET/PETE, is commonly used for soda, water, and other drink bottles, as well as cooking oil containers and food jars. Number 2 plastic, or HDPE, is used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent and cleaning product containers, and some non-food containers.
Other types of plastic may not be accepted by your local recycling program, so it's important to check with them first. For example, some facilities recycle polypropylene (number 5), which is used in margarine and yogurt containers, potato chip bags, and cereal bags. Plastic bags, plastic wrap, and packaging film are notoriously hard to recycle and should not be put in your recycling bin.
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Food waste on plastic is considered contaminated and is thrown in landfill
Plastic is a defining legacy of modern life, but it is important to recycle it properly. Plastic can take hundreds of years to biodegrade, between 500-1000 years for some types, so it is important to dispose of it properly to avoid it taking up landfill space and polluting the environment.
Food waste on plastic is considered contaminated and is thrown into landfill. This is because food waste can no longer be recycled once it has touched plastic. Food scraps on plastic can also attract pests and vermin, and cause odours, so it is best to avoid putting food waste into recycling bins. This includes rinsed food containers, which are often still contaminated with food residue. It is important to scrape off any food residue before placing plastic items in the recycling bin.
Recycling plastic can conserve limited natural resources and energy. As plastic is made from oil, recycling it means less plastic needs to be made from raw materials, conserving more oil. However, not all plastic is widely recyclable, and energy recovery from incineration is not possible as burning plastics release harmful gases.
The general rule of thumb is that the lower the resin code, the more likely the plastic type is to be easily recyclable. Plastics labelled number 3 through 7 in the recycling triangle are the least recyclable. The safest rule to stick to is to only recycle number 1 and 2 plastics. However, this can vary depending on your local recycling program, so it is important to check which types of plastics your local program accepts. For example, some facilities recycle polypropylene (number 5).
Some plastics are incredibly hard to recycle, including crisp packets, salad bags, plastic wrap, and plastic bags. Plastic grocery bags can only be recycled by bringing them back to the store, and plastic wrap cannot be recycled in curbside recycling bins.
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LDPE plastics are used for bags and wrappers but can't be recycled at home
LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is a lightweight, flexible, and soft plastic. It is known for its toughness, low-temperature flexibility, and corrosion resistance. LDPE is widely used for manufacturing plastic bags, dispensing bottles, and various containers. It is also used in laminate layers for juice and milk cartons, and in shrink wrap, dry cleaning bags, and bread and frozen food wrappers.
Despite its designation with the recycling symbol, LDPE cannot be commonly recycled in curbside recycling bins. LDPE is generally used in film form, and it is difficult to recycle this format in your home recycling bin. LDPE is identified by the number 4 in a triangle, usually on the bottom or side of the item.
The general rule of thumb for recycling plastics is that the lower the resin code, the more likely the plastic type is to be easily recyclable. LDPE has a resin identification code of 4, which is higher than the codes of the most easily recyclable plastics, which are numbered 1 and 2.
Plastics that are labelled number 3 through 7 in the recycling triangle are the least recyclable. Therefore, LDPE plastics are not easily recyclable. However, it is important to check with your local recycling program, as some facilities may accept LDPE for recycling.
It is worth noting that only about 9% of plastic waste is recycled, according to 2018 data from the Environmental Protection Agency. Recycling plastic can conserve limited natural resources and energy, as plastic is made from oil. However, not all plastic is widely recyclable, and some plastics, such as LDPE, are more difficult to recycle than others.
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PVC is a soft, flexible plastic that's hard to recycle and is toxic throughout its life cycle
When it comes to recycling plastic, it's important to know what types can and can't be recycled. While some plastics are widely recycled, like PET, which is used for drink bottles and microwavable food trays, and HDPE, which is used for grocery bags, drink bottles, and non-food containers, others are not so straightforward.
One such plastic is PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, which is a soft, flexible plastic that is strong, highly resistant to impact, and grease and oils. It is commonly found in meat wraps, medical packaging, pipes, and blister packs/clamshell packaging. Unfortunately, PVC is challenging to recycle and is toxic throughout its life cycle.
PVC production requires toxic and hazardous substances, such as PFAS, asbestos, mercury, and chlorine gas, which is a toxic and volatile chemical. These substances contribute to environmental pollution and pose risks to human health, with residents living near plastic manufacturing sites being particularly vulnerable to inhalation of contaminated air. The production of PVC has been linked to health risks and abandoned towns in nearby communities.
The toxic additives in PVC, such as plasticizers and stabilizers, can leach out over time, ending up in the air, dust, and even in medical settings through IV bags. These additives also make PVC difficult to recycle, as they can contaminate other recycled plastics and cause issues with the sorting process at recycling facilities. Even with physical recycling methods, it is challenging to completely remove all additives, and cross-contamination can lead to unstable performance in the final recycled product.
Due to these challenges, most PVC ends up in landfills and incinerators, further contributing to environmental pollution. When burned, PVC can release lethal gases and corrosive acids. Given these concerns, recyclers, packagers, and consumer brands have called for PVC to be phased out of use entirely.
To address the issues with PVC, international and regional regulations have been established to restrict the use of certain additives and set recycling targets. Additionally, methods such as chemical modifications, near-critical processes, and hydrothermal treatments are being explored to improve the dechlorination and recycling of PVC.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic grocery bags, plastic wrap, salad bags, and crisp packets are notoriously hard to recycle. Plastic bags can get tangled in recycling equipment and are only recycled if brought back to the store. Plastic #3 to #6 are also more difficult to recycle and some recycling centres do not process them.
Resin codes are numbers between one and seven, found inside a small triangle made of arrows on plastic products. These numbers correspond to different types of plastics, with the lower the number, the more likely the plastic is to be easily recyclable. However, the presence of a resin code does not mean the product can be recycled—it depends on the number.
Non-recyclable plastics include bioplastics, composite plastic, plastic-coated wrapping paper, polycarbonate, cling film, and blister packaging.
Plastics numbered 1 and 2 include PET or PETE products like soda, water, and cooking oil bottles, peanut butter jars, and microwavable food trays. HDPE products are also commonly recycled and include milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent containers.
Check with your local recycling program to see which types of plastics they accept, as this varies across different facilities. Rinse and wash plastic products before placing them in the recycling bin to ensure they are not contaminated with food waste, which can lead to them being thrown into landfills.
