Maya Ellison
Plastic is one of the most commonly used materials, and recycling it is a great way to reduce environmental impact. However, not all plastics are recyclable, and the rules for plastic recycling vary depending on your location. In Utah, there are several options for recycling plastic, and it is important to understand which types of plastic are accepted by your local recycling program to avoid contaminating the process. So, what plastic is recyclable in Utah, and how can you ensure you are recycling correctly?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic types accepted for recycling | PET Transparent Bottles, LDPE, EPS, plastic planter pots, plastic bags, plastic sheeting, bottle caps, lawn chairs, bins, ski and snowboard equipment |
| Plastic types not accepted for recycling | Tetra Packs, non-refrigerated milk cartons, soft plastics in curbside bins, styrofoam, food containers, packing peanuts |
| Other | Recycle Utah is the only facility in the state that recycles EPS |
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LDPE plastic recycling
LDPE, or Low-Density Polyethylene, is a thermoplastic created from the monomer ethylene. It is widely used but not widely recycled, posing a problem for the environment. LDPE is thinner, softer, and more flexible than its counterpart, HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene). It is used in the creation of common products such as plastic bags, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, cling film, bottle tops, and some cables.
LDPE is technically recyclable, but it is not as widely accepted as HDPE. This is because LDPE has a tendency to tangle in recycling machinery, requiring workers to stop the machines and remove the plastic, which is time-consuming and may cause equipment damage. LDPE is also more likely to be contaminated, and its soft and flexible nature means it can get caught in the teeth of recycling machines. As a result, rigid LDPE products are much easier to recycle than flexible and soft versions, and some local authorities only accept rigid LDPE for recycling.
Despite these challenges, LDPE recycling is possible and beneficial for the environment. Recycled LDPE can be used to create new products such as garbage cans, manufactured lumber, shipping envelopes, tiles, and compost bins. To recycle LDPE, it is sorted, shredded, melted into pellets, and then remade into new plastic materials. While curbside recycling may not always be an option, some grocery stores and businesses provide collection bins for LDPE bags, ensuring they are properly recycled.
In Utah, soft plastics, including plastic bags and sheeting, are not allowed in curbside bins but can be dropped off at specific locations. While I could not find specific information on LDPE recycling in Utah, its plastic code is #4, which is accepted in most domestic recycling bins. However, it is important to check with local authorities, as some have restrictions on certain LDPE products.
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Soft plastics
Recycling plastic is a great way to reduce environmental impact. Plastic is one of the most commonly used materials, and when it ends up in a landfill, it can take up to 500 years to break down, never truly biodegrading. Some plastics are recyclable in curbside bins, and harder-to-recycle plastics can be taken to specialist facilities.
In Utah, plastics are sorted by type, shredded, and melted into pellets to be remade into new plastic materials. This process is far less environmentally harmful than creating virgin plastics.
Recycle Utah is the only facility in Utah that recycles EPS (expanded polystyrene foam or packaging styrofoam). This is a plastic that is not typically recyclable due to its high air content. Recycle Utah has a densifier onsite that compacts EPS and removes air from the product.
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Caps and tops
It is important to recycle caps and tops correctly, as soft plastics can jam the machines at sorting facilities and slow down the recycling process. Plastic bags, plastic sheeting, plastic wraps, and plastic films can also cause problems for recycling facilities, so they should not be placed in curbside recycling bins. Instead, many retail stores such as Walmart and Target have collection barrels where these soft plastics can be deposited for recycling.
In Salt Lake City, plastic containers numbered 1, 2, 4, and 5 are recycled and turned into new plastic products. However, #3, #6, and #7 plastics are not currently able to be diverted, although the city is still accepting these containers as they look for opportunities to recycle this small volume of material.
Recycle Utah sorts plastics into five categories for effective recycling. The following plastics are accepted:
- PET Transparent Bottles: Single-use water or soda bottles. These are recycled into fibres and fabrics such as fleece and carpeting.
- HDPE Natural Foggy Plastics: Foggy, uncoloured containers such as milk and juice jugs. These are collected separately so they can be recycled into more #2 containers.
- Mixed Plastics: All hard plastics with a #3–#7.
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Styrofoam
It is important to note that Recycle Utah only accepts white packaging styrofoam. They do not accept coloured EPS or food-grade styrofoam. Food containers or packing peanuts made of styrofoam are also not accepted by Recycle Utah. These should be sorted and dropped off to a third-party recycler, such as Marko Foam Products in Salt Lake. Marko Foam Products accepts styrofoam free of any contaminants or labels but does not take food containers or packing peanuts.
Although some styrofoam containers may have a recycling symbol on them, indicating they are recyclable, suitable recycling options for this material are limited. It is best to avoid using styrofoam or to reuse it whenever possible.
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PET transparent bottles
In Utah, Recycle Utah sorts plastics into five categories, one of which is #1 PET transparent bottles. These are single-use water or soda bottles, and they are recycled into fibres and fabrics such as fleece and carpeting. It is important to note that while there are a variety of #1 colours and shapes, only drink bottles are accepted for recycling. Clam shells, anything marked #1 that is not a drink bottle, or clear fruit containers are not accepted and should be placed in Mixed Plastics.
PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is a commonly used plastic for beverage bottles due to its lightweight and economical properties. Its clarity, or transparency, makes it ideal for displaying products and allows for a generous label panel for branding. PET plastic bottles are also dishwasher-safe, withstanding high temperatures, water pressure, and detergents.
In terms of recycling, it is important to separate PET transparent bottles from other plastics. Soft plastics, such as plastic bags, plastic sheeting, and other flexible plastics, should be kept separate as they can jam machines and slow down the recycling process. Hard plastics, like lawn chairs and bins, are also stored separately due to their size.
Recycling PET transparent bottles is an important step in reducing environmental impact. When plastic ends up in landfills, it can take up to 500 years to break down and never truly biodegrades. By recycling PET transparent bottles, we can give them a new life as fibres and fabrics, reducing the need for virgin plastics and mitigating the problem of plastic pollution.
It is worth noting that Recycle Utah is the only facility in the state of Utah that recycles EPS (expanded polystyrene foam), commonly known as Styrofoam. However, other types of styrofoam and soft plastics may need to be sorted and dropped off to third-party recyclers or reused in different ways. Overall, understanding what types of plastics are accepted for recycling in Utah, and properly sorting and disposing of them, is crucial for effective recycling and environmental conservation.
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Frequently asked questions
In Cache County, plastic types one and two are accepted for recycling. Type one plastics include single-use water or soda bottles. Type two plastics include plastic bags, plastic sheeting, and soft plastics. LDPE plastic can be recycled in all of Utah's cities. Recycle Utah also accepts EPS (expanded polystyrene foam) for recycling.
LDPE stands for low-density polyethylene. It is a thermoplastic made from the monomer ethylene and is used in packaging and consumer products.
First, check what kind of plastic you have and where it goes. Then, ensure that your plastic is clean and dry, and free from contaminants such as food residue and shipping labels. Finally, place your plastic in the appropriate recycling bin.
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