Sofia Martinez
Massachusetts has nine material recovery facilities (MRFs) where most recyclables go for sorting and recycling. Curbside recyclables go to MRFs, where they are sorted by a combination of manual labor and specialized equipment, then compressed into cubes (bales) and sent to a recycling mill or secondary processor. Items that can be recycled include newspapers, mixed paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum cans, plastic, automobile batteries, used motor oil, and scrap metal. However, there are concerns about the effectiveness of recycling, with some claiming that a significant portion of recyclables are still sent to landfills, and that the process of recycling plastic may increase carbon footprints. Additionally, many items that people think belong in the recycling bin actually do not, and some plastics cannot be recycled by MRFs due to size, shape, or color. Recycled plastics are used for clothing, bags, building products, door and window frames, exterior moldings, fencing, and decks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where plastic recyclables go | Sorting facilities known as Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) |
| How it's sorted | A combination of manual labor and specialized equipment, including magnets, screens, and optical sorters |
| What happens after sorting | MRFs produce compressed cubes of metal, plastic, and paper (called bales), which are then loaded onto trucks and transported to recycling mills or secondary processors in the case of plastics |
| Where it's sold | In the Northeast, nearly 100% of plastics are sold to U.S. companies, and about half of recycled paper and metal are sold to domestic mills |
| What happens to recycled plastics | They are typically ground up or flaked, cleaned, and resold to plastics manufacturers to create new products, including clothing, bags, building products, furniture, and more |
| What plastics are banned from disposal | All single-resin narrow-necked plastic containers are banned from disposal in Massachusetts by the Massachusetts Waste Bans |
| What plastics are not recyclable | Odd-shaped plastics (toys, furniture), very small items (smaller than a credit card), flexible plastics (bags, wrap), and black plastic containers (due to scanner incompatibility) |
| What to do with plastic lids | Reattach plastic and metal lids to empty containers before recycling |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic recycling in Massachusetts goes to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)
- MRFs sort plastics with specialised equipment and manual labour
- Sorted plastics are then sent to recycling mills or secondary processors
- Plastic must be free from contaminants and correctly sorted to be recycled
- Black plastic and small plastic items cannot be recycled at MRFs
Plastic recycling in Massachusetts goes to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)
It is important to note that not all plastics can be recycled at MRFs. Certain types of plastic, such as odd-shaped plastics (toys, plastic furniture), very small items (smaller than a credit card), flexible plastics (bags, wrap, pouches), and black plastic, may not be compatible with the sorting equipment or may be difficult to process. For example, black plastic containers are often routed for disposal as the scanners used in MRFs cannot recognize them. Additionally, small items like plastic straws, miniature bottles, utensils, and lids can fall through the cracks during sorting.
To ensure effective recycling, it is recommended to follow the guidelines provided by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and refer to the Smart Recycling Guide or the Recyclopedia. These sources provide information on what can be recycled and how to prepare materials for recycling.
Once collected and sorted, recyclable plastics are typically ground up or flaked, cleaned, and resold to manufacturers to create new products. Recycled plastics can be used for a variety of purposes, including clothing, bags, building products, furniture, and more.
It is worth noting that there have been concerns and debates about the effectiveness of recycling in Massachusetts and beyond. Some sources suggest that a significant portion of recycled items may still end up in landfills, and there are challenges with processing certain types of plastics. However, recycling can offer environmental benefits, such as conserving resources, reducing pollution, and creating new business opportunities.
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MRFs sort plastics with specialised equipment and manual labour
In Massachusetts, recyclables are collected from residents' curbside bins, designated drop-off locations, or commercial facilities (such as businesses and schools) and transported to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs).
MRFs are specialised plants that receive, separate, and prepare dry recyclable materials. They use a combination of mechanical processes and manual labour to sort and prepare recyclable materials for further processing. The biggest variance from facility to facility is in the level of sophistication of sortation equipment. Some have a lot of automation, while others are much more manual. Some common types of equipment used in MRFs include:
- Trommel screens: Large, inclined, rotating, cylindrical sieves that separate broken glass from larger items.
- Overhead vacuum: Lifts small pieces of paper and plastic off the belt.
- Magnets
- Optical sorters
- X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
- Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy
After sorting, the MRF produces compressed cubes of metal, plastic and paper (called bales) which are loaded onto trucks and moved to a recycling mill or a secondary processor, in the case of plastics.
Plastics that are identified as suitable for recycling are typically ground up or flaked, cleaned, and resold to a plastics manufacturer to be made into new products. However, it is important to note that not all plastics are recyclable. For example, black plastic (e.g. takeout containers) is often not recognised by the scanners used to sort materials in MRFs and is therefore routed for disposal. Additionally, small or thin items, such as plastic straws, miniature bottles, utensils, and lids, are incompatible with MRF equipment and fall through the cracks.
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Sorted plastics are then sent to recycling mills or secondary processors
In Massachusetts, plastic recyclables are first sorted at Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) using a combination of manual labor and specialized equipment, including magnets, screens, and optical sorters. After sorting, the plastics are then sent to recycling mills or secondary processors.
At these facilities, the sorted plastics undergo further processing, which typically involves grinding or flaking the plastic material. This step ensures that the plastics are broken down into smaller pieces, making them easier to handle and process. The ground or flaked plastic is then typically cleaned to remove any remaining contaminants, such as food residue or labels.
Cleaned and processed plastic material is then sold to manufacturers who use it to create a range of new products. These can include clothing, bags, durable building and construction products, door and window frames, exterior moldings, low-maintenance fencing and decks, and even furniture.
It is important to note that not all plastics can be recycled. Items with odd shapes, very small sizes, or flexible/stretchable qualities, like plastic bags, wraps, and pouches, are often not accepted by recycling facilities. Additionally, black plastic materials are sometimes routed for disposal as they cannot be recognized by the scanners used in many MRFs.
Despite these challenges, Massachusetts has a strong market for recycled plastics, with nearly 100% of plastics being sold to U.S. companies. Proper recycling practices, as outlined in the Smart Recycling Guide, help ensure that plastic waste is handled responsibly and contributes to the creation of valuable new products.
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Plastic must be free from contaminants and correctly sorted to be recycled
Plastic recycling in Massachusetts is a well-intentioned process, but it has its challenges. The state's nine material recovery facilities (MRFs) are responsible for sorting and recycling most of the plastics collected. These facilities earn revenue by selling the materials they sort and bale, and they are prohibited by law from sending recyclables to landfills or incinerators. However, it is important to ensure that plastic is free from contaminants and correctly sorted to be effectively recycled.
Contaminants such as food, liquid, or other non-recyclable materials must not be present in plastics intended for recycling. This is because these contaminants can affect the quality of the recycled plastic and may render it unfit for reuse. Clean plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs are generally accepted for recycling. It is also important to keep plastic lids attached to containers, as loose lids can be too small for sorting equipment and may be missed during the sorting process.
In addition to being contaminant-free, plastic must be correctly sorted to be recycled. Different types of plastic resins are sorted and sent for further processing. Once sorted, the plastics are typically ground up or flaked and then cleaned before being resold to manufacturers to create new products. However, it is important to note that not all plastic items can be recycled. Oddly shaped plastics, such as toys or plastic furniture, very small items, and flexible plastics like bags and wrap, are often not accepted by MRFs. Black plastic is also challenging to recycle, as scanners in most MRFs cannot recognize it.
To ensure effective plastic recycling in Massachusetts, it is essential to follow the guidelines provided by local authorities. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) offers resources like the Recycle Smart MA search tool, which helps residents determine if specific materials can be accepted and processed by MRFs in the state. By adhering to these guidelines and ensuring plastic is free from contaminants and correctly sorted, residents can contribute to a more sustainable future and support the creation of new products from recycled plastics.
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Black plastic and small plastic items cannot be recycled at MRFs
Massachusetts has a comprehensive recycling program that includes plastic. However, it's important to note that not all types of plastic can be recycled through the regular curbside recycling program. Black plastic and small plastic items, in particular, have You may want to see also In Massachusetts, recycled plastics are sent to one of the state's nine Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) for sorting and baling. Once sorted, plastics are sent to recycling mills or secondary processors. Once collected and sorted by resin type, plastics are typically either ground up or flaked, cleaned, and resold to a plastics manufacturer to be made into new plastic products. Most clean plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs can be recycled. Plastic bags and films, like shrink wrap, can also be recycled but should not be included in single-stream recycling. Odd-shaped plastics (like toys or plastic furniture), very small items (smaller than a credit card), or flexible/stretchable plastics – like bags, wrap, and pouches—cannot be recycled in Massachusetts. Recycled plastics are used for clothing, bags, durable building & construction products, door & window frames, exterior moldings, fencing, and decks.The Importance of Plastic Recycling for Our Planet's Health
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