Alexei Volkov
Plastic recycling is a complex process, and while technically, all plastic is recyclable, not all plastic is recycled. This is due to the high cost of recycling certain plastics, as well as the lack of equipment and capacity at recycling plants to handle the volume and variety of plastics in production. Consumers are often confused about which types of plastic can be recycled and how to recycle them properly. To help consumers identify the type of plastic, products are often stamped with a resin identification code, which is a number inside a small triangle made of arrows. The most commonly recycled plastics are numbers one and two, which are made of Polyethylene and include lightweight bottles with necks smaller than their bodies, such as water bottles, soda bottles, and detergent bottles. These plastics are in high demand and are widely accepted by most recycling centers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Numbers That Are Recyclable | 1, 2, and 5 |
| Plastic Numbers That Are Not Recyclable | 3, 4, 6, and 7 |
| Plastic Number 1 | Polyethylene, used for lightweight bottles with a smaller neck than body, like water bottles, soda bottles, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and food/health/beauty product bottles |
| Plastic Number 2 | Polyethylene, used for similar products as Number 1 plastics |
| Plastic Number 3 | Polyvinyl resin (PVC), rigid and not easily recycled |
| Plastic Number 5 | Used for screw-on caps for bottles, accepted by most municipalities |
| Plastic Number 7 | Made of multiple plastic types or hard-to-recycle plastics |
| Plastic Recycling Difficulty | Varies based on local municipality recycling programs and equipment |
| Plastic Recycling Impact | Plastic production is estimated at 380 million tons per year, with only 9% recycled; 8 million metric tons end up in waterways |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic numbers 1 and 2 are widely recycled
Plastic recycling is one of the most complex processes, and it is important to recycle plastic responsibly. Plastic number 1 and plastic number 2 are the most commonly recycled types of plastic. These plastics are made of Polyethylene and include almost any lightweight plastic bottle whose neck is smaller than its body, such as water bottles, soda bottles, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and most bottles used for food, health, cleaning, or beauty products. These plastics are easily recycled, and there is a demand for the product, so most recycling centers accept them. Even the screw-on caps, which are usually a #5 plastic, are accepted by most municipalities. It is important to wash these bottles thoroughly before recycling and keep the cap on so that it doesn't get left on the ground.
Plastics with a number 1 or 2 can be recycled into new products such as flower pots, trash cans, traffic barrier cones, detergent bottles, and even new bottles. Recycling these plastics is not just a good idea for the environment, but it is also required by law in some places. For example, in Massachusetts, the statewide waste ban prohibits the disposal of any single-resin narrow-necked bottles (like soda bottles) in trash bins.
Other types of plastic, such as number 3, 4, 6, and 7, are not as commonly recycled and are considered hard-to-recycle plastics. These plastics include Styrofoam, shrink wrap, and manufacturing scrap, which require specialized handling. It is important to check with your local municipality to understand what types of plastic they accept for recycling, as programs vary from city to city.
While all plastic is technically recyclable, the reality is that much of it is difficult to recycle, and most recycling plants don't have the equipment or capacity to handle all types of plastic. The best solution is to minimize the use of single-use plastics and to recycle the plastic you do use responsibly, ensuring that you follow the guidelines of your local recycling program.
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Plastic number 3 is hard to recycle
Plastic recycling is an extremely complex process. Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. The number inside the triangle is important because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic. While all plastic is technically recyclable, not all recycling plants have the equipment or capacity to recycle all types of plastic.
Plastics numbered 1 and 2 are widely accepted by most recycling centers. These plastics are made of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET/PETE) and are used to make lightweight bottles with necks smaller than their bodies, such as water bottles, soda bottles, and most bottles used for food, health, cleaning, or beauty products. These plastics are easily recycled, and there is a demand for the recycled product.
However, plastic number 3 is made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, commonly called PVC, and is much harder to recycle. PVC is usually rigid, and most consumer recyclers will not accept PVC products. Plastic number 3 is often used for plastic food wrapping because of its soft and flexible properties. PVC contains toxins that leach throughout its entire life cycle, making it unsafe for reuse, especially when it comes into contact with food or children's products.
The difficulty in recycling plastic number 3 can be attributed to the nature of the material. PVC is challenging to recycle due to its rigid structure and the presence of toxins. Additionally, the demand for recycled PVC products is limited, further reducing the incentive for recycling centers to process this type of plastic. It is always advisable to check with your local municipality's recycling guidelines to understand which types of plastics they accept and properly dispose of or recycle plastic number 3 products.
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Plastic numbers 1, 2, and 5 are usually recycled
Plastic is ubiquitous in our lives, and while most plastics can be recycled, not all are widely accepted by recycling centres. Plastic numbers 1, 2, and 5 are the most commonly recycled types. These plastics are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET/PETE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and are used in the production of a wide range of products.
Plastics with the number 1 are commonly used in the production of water bottles, soda bottles, salad dressing containers, and peanut butter jars. These plastics can be recycled into fibre fill for sleeping bags, carpet fibres, and rope. Number 1 plastics are also known to absorb bacteria and toxic chemicals from other plastics.
Number 2 plastics are used in the production of milk jugs, butter tubs, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, and motor oil bottles. These plastics are widely accepted by recycling centres and can be recycled into flower pots, trash cans, traffic barrier cones, and new detergent bottles. HDPE is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted worldwide.
Number 5 plastics are commonly used in screw-on caps for plastic bottles. While most municipalities accept number 5 plastics for recycling, it is always good to check with your local guidelines. These plastics can be recycled, but the process is more involved, requiring two steps of melting and the removal of residual molecules under vacuum.
While all plastics can be recycled through specialised processes like pyrolysis, not all recycling plants have the equipment or capacity to handle all types of plastics. It is important to minimise the use of single-use plastics and to recycle plastics responsibly, following the guidelines provided by your local municipality.
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Plastic numbers 4, 6, and 7 are rarely recycled
Plastic is ubiquitous, and it is used to make a wide range of products, from beverage bottles to grocery bags. However, not all plastics are created equal when it comes to recyclability. While technically, most plastic is recyclable, the reality is that much of it is challenging to recycle. Plastic numbers 4, 6, and 7, in particular, face significant recycling hurdles and are rarely recycled.
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number inside a triangle, which helps identify the type of plastic. These numbers range from 1 to 7 and correspond to different types of plastic resins. Types 1 and 2 plastics, such as Polyethylene, are the most commonly accepted by recycling centers and can be found in lightweight bottles and containers for food, health, cleaning, or beauty products.
However, plastic numbers 4, 6, and 7 are different stories. Number 4 plastics, often used in produce and grocery bags, are not always accepted by recycling centers. This is because these bags can get tangled in the equipment at recycling facilities, causing operational issues. As a result, many recycling programs exclude them.
Number 6 plastics, which include polystyrene and Styrofoam, are also challenging to recycle. Polystyrene, commonly used for disposable coffee cups and food containers, breaks apart easily and is often found in the stomachs of marine animals and on beaches. It has been linked to human health issues, including reproductive system dysfunction, and should be avoided for reuse, especially when heated.
Number 7 plastics are the most difficult to recycle and are often excluded from recycling programs. These plastics are often made from multiple plastic types or other hard-to-recycle materials. Polycarbonate, a type of number 7 plastic, has been a concern for parents due to its BPA (bisphenol A) content, a known hormone disruptor. While some manufacturers have transitioned to BPA-free plastics, certain substitutes like BPS and BPF may still disrupt endocrine function.
The challenges with recycling plastic numbers 4, 6, and 7 highlight the importance of reducing our reliance on single-use plastics and properly disposing of plastics we do use. Consumers should check with their local municipalities to understand the specific recycling guidelines and ensure responsible plastic disposal.
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Plastic bags should be avoided when recycling
When people place recyclable items in a plastic bag, it makes it impossible for workers at recycling facilities to see and sort the contents. As a result, bagged items are often pulled from the sorting line and sent directly to landfills. Plastic bags can also get tangled in the sorting equipment, causing stoppages and disruptions to the recycling process. In Washington, for example, plastic bags are one of the largest sources of contamination in the residential recycling stream, with 20% of residents bagging their recyclables before placing them in a curbside recycling bin.
The lightweight and flexible nature of plastic bags also means they can easily get caught in recycling machinery, degrading the effectiveness of the sorting process and causing potential mechanical issues. This can result in recyclable materials becoming contaminated and ending up in landfills instead. Additionally, the production and use of plastic bags contribute significantly to the plastic pollution crisis. Plastic bags are often single-use items that end up in our oceans, hanging from trees, and interfering with our recycling efforts.
To reduce the environmental impact of plastic bags, it is best to avoid using them altogether. Instead, opt for reusable bags when shopping or bring your own containers for items. If you already have plastic bags, consider reusing them for trash can liners, carriers, or packing material. Many grocery stores and retailers also have collection bins specifically for plastic bags, ensuring they are properly managed and sent to facilities equipped to handle them. By reducing, reusing, and properly disposing of plastic bags, we can work towards minimizing their negative impact on the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
The numbers on plastic items are resin codes, which indicate the type of plastic the product is made of.
Numbers 1, 2, and 5 are the most commonly recycled. Number 1 plastics are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and are used for water bottles, soda bottles, peanut butter jars, and other food containers. Number 2 plastics are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and are used for milk jugs, detergent bottles, and shampoo bottles. Number 5 plastics are used for caps on bottles and are accepted by most municipalities.
Numbers 3, 4, 6, and 7 are not commonly recycled. Number 3 plastics are made of polyvinyl resin (PVC) and are usually rigid. Number 4 plastics are used for produce and grocery bags and can tangle in recycling equipment. Number 6 plastics, like polystyrene (PS), are used for disposable coffee cups and packing peanuts. Number 7 plastics are made of multiple plastic types that are difficult to recycle.
Technically, all plastics are recyclable, but many are not economically viable to recycle, so they end up in landfills. Some plastics are also very complex to recycle, and most recycling plants don't have the equipment or capacity to process them.
Recycling programs vary across different municipalities. Check with your local municipality to find out which specific plastic numbers they accept for recycling.
