Maya Ellison
Plastic is a highly profitable and cheap material that has become ubiquitous in modern life. However, it is also a major contributor to pollution, with plastic waste taking between 500 to 1000 years to biodegrade and causing significant harm to the environment and wildlife. While recycling plastic can help mitigate these issues, not all plastics are easily recyclable, and the recycling process can be costly and labour-intensive. The most widely recycled plastic is PET, found mostly in plastic bottles, and it is also one of the few polymers that can be recycled into the same form. HDPE is another plastic that is 100% recyclable and accepted at most recycling centres globally. Despite the challenges, recycling plastic is essential to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and create a more sustainable future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most widely recycled plastic in the world | PET |
| Second most recovered plastic | HDPE |
| LDPE used for | Plastic bags |
| PP used for | Food packaging |
| PS used for | Rigid plastic products, foam products |
| PVC used for | Pipes, fittings, siding, hoses, medical equipment, food packaging, wire conduits |
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What You'll Learn
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most widely recycled plastic
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is cheap and low-quality, making it less financially worthwhile to recycle
- Polypropylene (PP) is in high demand but is one of the least recycled plastics
- Polystyrene (PS) is commonly recycled and used for insulation, packing materials, and office supplies
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most widely recycled plastic
PET plastic is valuable because it can be recycled into its original uses, reducing the environmental impact of producing new plastic. Recycled PET (rPET) is highly sought after as it reduces total energy consumption by 79% and limits greenhouse gas emissions by 67% when used to make new bottles. Additionally, rPET can be used to create a wide range of products, including new bottles, fashion items such as polar fleece clothing, backpacks, carpets, and other textile garments.
The process of recycling PET involves transforming the plastic into flakes, which can then be spun into yarn and used to manufacture clothes and other textile products. Alternatively, PET bottles can be recycled into new bottles by blending virgin and recycled materials to give strength to the new product. This process of using recycled materials to create new products is known as tertiary recycling, which aims to create a circular economy for the plastic industry.
While PET is the most widely recycled plastic, it is important to note that not all plastic is easily recyclable. The recyclability of plastic depends on its resin code, with lower numbers generally indicating easier recyclability. Additionally, the efficiency of recycling processes varies, and certain plastics may not be accepted by specific recycling programs. Therefore, it is essential to properly handle and sort plastic waste to ensure it can be effectively recycled and diverted from landfills and the natural environment.
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High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle
HDPE is 100% recyclable and is accepted at most recycling centres globally. The recovery rate for HDPE is high, second only to that of PET. The process of recycling HDPE typically involves shredding, melting, and subsequent pelletization. The pellets created from this process can then be used in manufacturing to create new HDPE products.
There are several benefits to recycling HDPE. Firstly, it helps protect the planet and reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and the environment. Additionally, recycling HDPE can help businesses save money on plastic disposal costs and improve their bottom line. By selling scrap HDPE materials to recycling companies, businesses can lower their overall cost of production.
Furthermore, with consumers and companies increasingly seeking eco-friendly alternatives, utilizing recycled HDPE can be a competitive advantage for businesses. Recycling HDPE can also help attract team members, partners, and customers who value sustainability. Overall, recycling HDPE is an important step towards creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly economy.
While HDPE is widely recycled, it is important to note that not all plastics are easily recyclable. The recyclability of plastic types depends on how they are made. For example, thermoset plastics contain polymers that form irreversible chemical bonds and cannot be recycled, while thermoplastics can be remelted and remolded. Therefore, it is crucial to properly handle and separate different types of plastic waste to ensure effective recycling.
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Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is cheap and low-quality, making it less financially worthwhile to recycle
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a thermoplastic commonly used for domestic, commercial, and industrial applications. LDPE is thinner, softer, and more flexible than its high-density counterpart, HDPE. It is used in the creation of dozens of common products, including plastic bags, bubble wrap, cling film, bottle tops, and some cables.
Despite its widespread use, LDPE is not widely recycled. In 2015, only 6.2% of LDPE generated that year was recycled, compared to recycling rates of 18.4% and 10.3% for plastics type #1 and #2 (PET and HDPE), respectively. LDPE is a very cheap and low-quality plastic, and its recycling is not financially worthwhile. Plastic bags, for example, tend to tangle in recycling machinery, risking damage to equipment and endangering the entire recycling process. This is why many municipalities do not accept LDPE in curbside recycling bins.
However, LDPE can be recycled into various products, such as bubble wrap, film plastic, bin liners, compost bins, floor tiles, and more. Recycling LDPE has several benefits, including reducing waste, conserving resources, and creating jobs in the recycling industry. It also helps reduce our dependence on virgin plastics and saves costs associated with waste disposal and management. Additionally, producing recycled LDPE requires less energy than producing new LDPE from raw materials, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions. Recycled LDPE is also typically less expensive than virgin LDPE, making it an attractive option for manufacturers.
To increase the recycling rate of LDPE, consumers must properly dispose of their plastic waste. This includes separating LDPE from other types of waste, such as paper and glass, and ensuring it is clean and free of contaminants. Individuals can also support LDPE recycling by purchasing products made from recycled LDPE and participating in local recycling programs.
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Polypropylene (PP) is in high demand but is one of the least recycled plastics
Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most common plastic types globally, composing around 17% of annual plastic production. It is a food-safe plastic with high flexibility and puncture resistance, making it ideal for food packaging, especially for hot food or products destined to be microwaved. Despite its diverse applications and high demand, PP is one of the least recycled plastics, with a recycling rate of just 3%.
There are several reasons why PP is not widely recycled. Firstly, PP has a low resin code of 5, indicating that it is easily recyclable. However, its poor performance in mechanical recycling, the traditional method of recycling plastic, has deterred waste sortation innovators from focusing on PP. Mechanical recycling involves washing, grinding, and melting plastic, but PP is more suited to chemical recycling, where plastic is broken down into monomers to form new polymers.
Another challenge is the high regulatory standards for food-safe plastic. Recycled PP often fails to meet these standards, rendering it unsuitable for most market applications. Although some companies add virgin PP or additives to enhance the quality, the original PP degrades within 2-3 recycling cycles, limiting its usefulness. Additionally, the price of recycled PP is about 80% higher than virgin PP due to the extensive testing and additives required for food-grade certification, making it unattractive to companies.
Despite these obstacles, there are ongoing efforts to improve PP recycling. Solvent dissolution, a technique that utilizes supercritical butane to remove impurities from PP, shows promise. Purecycle, an American startup, has established the first commercial-scale solvent dissolution recycling plant in Ohio, with another larger plant under construction in Georgia. With Europe's more advanced plastic recycling infrastructure, similar commercial ventures in solvent dissolution are also emerging. These innovations aim to meet the high demand for recycled PP and address the challenges that have made PP one of the least recycled plastics.
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Polystyrene (PS) is commonly recycled and used for insulation, packing materials, and office supplies
Polystyrene (PS) is a plastic material that can be recycled and used for insulation, packing materials, and office supplies. PS is commonly used for rigid products or foam products, such as disposable plasticware, takeaway food containers, and egg cartons. When recycled, PS can be transformed into insulation, which helps to improve energy efficiency in buildings. One way to recycle polystyrene packaging material for insulation is to cut it into flat shapes and place it in the ceiling cavity, ensuring fire safety regulations are met as polystyrene is highly flammable.
Another method involves mixing chopped-up polystyrene with acetone and pressing it into sheets, which can then be fused together with heat to create blocks that may be suitable for utility buildings. Polystyrene can also be recycled into packing materials and office supplies, such as coat hangers. Recycling polystyrene helps to divert waste from landfills and reduces the need for raw materials, conserving natural resources and energy.
While polystyrene can be recycled, it is important to note that it is not as widely recycled as other plastics like PET or HDPE, which are accepted at most recycling centres globally. Polystyrene is often collected through community recycling programs, but it can be challenging to transport and recycle economically due to its complex structure. Additionally, the incineration of polystyrene can release toxic gases, so alternative recycling methods are preferred. Overall, while polystyrene can be recycled and used for various applications, it may not be the most profitable plastic material to recycle on a large scale due to these challenges.
To improve the recyclability of polystyrene, it is essential to establish functioning recycling systems and explore alternative recycling options. For example, scientists are working on new technologies to incorporate polystyrene waste into various applications, such as adhesive materials, carbonaceous materials, and composite construction materials. By improving the recycling infrastructure and processes for polystyrene, it may become a more profitable material to recycle in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is the most widely recycled plastic material in the world and is likely the most profitable for recyclers. PET is mostly found in plastic bottles and can be recycled into fashion items like polar fleece clothing, backpacks, and carpets.
HDPE, or high-density polyethylene, is 100% recyclable and is commonly accepted at most recycling centers globally. It is often recycled into plastic lumber, tables, roadside curbs, and other durable plastic products.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which is used to make plastic bags, is technically recyclable but is not very financially worthwhile due to its low quality and the risk it poses to the recycling machinery. PP, or polypropylene, is also in high demand but is one of the least recycled plastics due to the environmental threats posed by the microplastics and additives released during the degradation process.
Sorting the various types of plastics is a costly and labor-intensive job, and with the price of recycled plastics declining, recycling is becoming less profitable.
