Maya Ellison
Plastic recycling is a pressing issue in South Africa, with organisations like Polyco and SAPRO working to improve collection and recycling infrastructure. Most plastic products can be recycled, but the process can be costly and time-consuming, especially for dark-coloured plastics and mixed-material products. South Africa has made progress, with recycled content making up 18% of locally converted polymers and a reduction of 2.2% in plastic waste ending up in landfills. However, challenges remain, such as the recyclability of soft plastics and the need to reduce plastic consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Single-use plastic | Can be recycled but not without a lot of effort and cost |
| Soft plastics | Not recyclable |
| Plastic with recycling logo and number | Can be recycled |
| Dark-coloured plastics | Most difficult and costly to recycle |
| Mixed-material products | Not always recycled due to time and cost constraints |
| Plastic bottles | Usually made of #1 PET plastic, a valuable recyclable material |
| Plastic containers | #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) |
| Plastic bags | #4 (LDPE) |
| Plastic cups, food trays, egg cartons | #6 Polystyrene, does not biodegrade |
| Plastic packaging | #5 Polypropylene (PP) |
| Plastic products in South Africa | 1,842,745 tons |
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What You'll Learn
Soft plastics, like cling wrap, are non-recyclable
Plastic recycling in South Africa is a growing industry, with organisations like Polyco and SAPRO working to increase the collection and recycling of plastic packaging in the country. However, not all types of plastics are recyclable, and soft plastics, like cling wrap, fall into this non-recyclable category.
Soft plastics, such as plastic bags, wrappers, and cling film, are thin, flexible materials that are often crumpled or scrunched up. While they may seem harmless, these soft plastics can cause significant issues in the recycling process. Firstly, they can contaminate other recyclable materials, making recycling more challenging and costly. This contamination occurs because soft plastics tend to wrap around other recyclables, making it difficult to separate the different materials during sorting.
Additionally, soft plastics are challenging to clean, especially when contaminated with food waste. This poses a problem for recycling centres, as they need to ensure that materials are adequately sanitised before they can be processed. The inability to properly clean soft plastics can lead to entire batches of recycling being rejected or contaminated.
Another issue with soft plastics is that they often cannot be torn with a straight edge, indicating that they are not recyclable. This characteristic makes them difficult to process in recycling machines, as they can get stuck or wrapped around the machinery's internal components. As a result, they can cause mechanical issues and increase maintenance costs for recycling facilities.
To reduce the impact of soft plastics on the environment, it is essential to minimise their use. Consumers can opt for reusable alternatives, such as cloth bags and containers with lids, instead of cling wrap. By reducing the demand for soft plastics, we can decrease their presence in the waste stream and encourage the development of more sustainable alternatives.
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Single-use plastics are easily recycled
Single-use plastics are a major source of waste, with plastic waste accumulating at an alarming rate. According to the OECD, the world produced over 460 million metric tons of plastic in 2019, double the amount from 2000. Single-use plastics, such as straws, bags, cutlery, and packaging, are not easily recycled due to their small size and the fact that they often fall into crevices in recycling machinery. Many recycling centres do not accept these items, and they can end up in landfills or the environment, where they break down into microplastics, contaminating soil, water, and air.
However, in South Africa, there are efforts to improve the collection and recycling of plastic packaging. Organisations like Polyco aim to increase the recycling of plastic packaging and promote its responsible use and reuse. South Africa has also seen success in converting recycled polymers into new products, with recycled content making up 18% of locally converted polymers. The recycling of plastic has contributed to South Africa's GDP, and the country has achieved a 45.7% input recycling rate.
To address the challenges of single-use plastic waste, reducing plastic consumption and promoting reusable alternatives are crucial. Bioplastics, made from renewable materials like corn starch, can be an option for single-use items as they are recyclable and do not take up space in landfills. Recycled plastic, paper products, and glass are also environmentally friendly alternatives that can be recycled multiple times.
While recycling is important, the most effective way to address the issue of single-use plastic waste is to reduce plastic use and adopt reusable options. Individual choices, such as avoiding bottled water, can significantly reduce plastic waste. Additionally, policies and government frameworks can drive action from industries, increase corporate responsibility, and provide incentives for consumers to recycle and adopt more sustainable practices.
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Dark-coloured plastics are costly to recycle
South Africa has made significant progress in recycling plastic, with recycled content making up 18% of locally converted polymers. More than 70% of all the recyclable plastic collected came from landfills and other post-consumer sources. However, soft plastics, such as cling wrap, are usually not recyclable.
One type of plastic that is particularly challenging and costly to recycle is dark-coloured or black plastic. While black plastic can be recycled to make other dark-coloured plastic items, it is often undetectable during automated recycling processes due to the use of carbon black as a pigment. Carbon black absorbs infrared light, which is commonly used by recycling facilities to sort plastics by colour. As a result, black plastic items often end up in landfills, incinerators, or the environment after just a single use.
The food industry frequently uses black plastic because it is cheap and makes food look more appealing to consumers. However, the inability to properly sort and recycle black plastic has led to concerns about its environmental impact. Black plastics are also more likely to contain unregulated amounts of toxic chemicals and heavy metals, which can pose a hazard to human health if they leach into food.
To address the issue of black plastic recycling, some companies are working to minimize the use of carbon black and replace it with more recyclable materials. In addition, consumers can advocate for less carbon black plastic and choose products packaged in clear or light-coloured plastic, which is more easily recyclable.
While changing recycling technology to detect black plastic would be costly and time-consuming, banning the use of problematic plastics like black plastic and promoting circular economy principles could be more effective solutions to reduce plastic waste and its environmental impact.
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Plastic bottles are usually #1 PET plastic
PET plastic is a popular choice for packaging soft drinks and other beverages due to its many benefits for both manufacturers and consumers. It is safe, lightweight, and flexible, making it convenient for on-the-go consumption. It can also be moulded into different shapes, allowing brands to build their identity and promote their drinks. Additionally, PET plastic is 100% recyclable, which makes it a good option for companies looking to reduce their environmental footprint.
The recyclability of PET plastic is one of its most important features. Recycled PET bottles are transparent, lightweight, and flexible, and they do not alter the smell or taste of food or other products. They can be shredded into tiny pallets and reprocessed into new bottles or turned into polyester fibre for use in clothing, carpets, sleeping bags, and more. The recyclability of PET plastic also contributes to sustainability and reduces the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills.
It is important to note that PET plastic is intended for single use only. It has a porous structure, so it requires strong cleaning products that can cause carcinogens to leach into the plastic. Heating PET plastic should also be avoided, as it can cause antimony, a toxic chemical, to leach into the contents. Despite being recyclable, PET plastic should not be reused multiple times due to these safety concerns.
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#7 plastics are non-recyclable mixed plastics
Plastic #7 is a complex group that includes all plastic types except for numbers 1 to 6, such as PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PS, and PVC. It is a diverse category that encompasses recyclable, non-recyclable, and biodegradable plastics, as well as multi-layer and mixed resin types. This broad range of plastics presents challenges in the recycling process, and #7 plastics often cannot be recycled through curbside recycling programs.
In South Africa, the recycling landscape varies across regions. Some areas, like the Western Cape, offer comprehensive recycling services, with companies providing collection or drop-off points for recyclable materials. However, the acceptance of specific plastic types, like Tetrapaks (a combination of plastic and cardboard), may differ among recycling depots.
#7 plastics, being a diverse category, may be accepted at certain recycling facilities in South Africa, but it is essential to verify this information with local providers. Soft plastics, like cling wrap, are generally not recyclable, and a good indicator of non-recyclability is the inability to tear the plastic with a straight edge.
While #7 plastics may not always be recyclable, it is beneficial to repair and reuse items made from these plastics to extend their lifespan and reduce waste. Additionally, South Africa has made notable progress in plastic recycling, with recycled content accounting for 18% of locally converted polymers and contributing significantly to the country's GDP.
To promote effective recycling of #7 plastics and other materials in South Africa, organizations like Polyco play a vital role. Polyco focuses on recycling innovation, infrastructure development, and education to increase the collection and recycling of plastic packaging in the country. Their efforts align with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations published by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment, aiming to make waste a valuable resource for the economy.
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Frequently asked questions
Most recycling centres in South Africa accept plastics #1, #2, #4, #5, and #6. Plastic #1 (or PET) is used for plastic bottles, #2 (or HDPE) is used for bottles, crates, and drums, #4 (or LDPE) is used for bags, #5 (or PP) is used for stiff thin-walled packaging, and #7 is for mixed plastics that are not recyclable.
Examples of plastics that are easy to recycle include cooldrink bottles, water bottles, food packaging, detergent packages, milk containers, shampoo and conditioner bottles, and grocery bags.
Dark-coloured plastics are difficult and costly to recycle as they contain pigments. Other examples of plastics that are difficult to recycle include toys, pipes, furniture, and mixed-material products, such as cardboard coffee cups with plastic liners. Soft plastics, such as cling wrap, are also usually not recyclable.
Most plastic containers will have a recycling logo with a number in the middle, which indicates the type of plastic. You can check if the number matches the types of plastic accepted by your local recycling centre.
