Ethan Clarke
Plastic waste is a significant environmental concern, and proper disposal is essential to reducing it. While recycling plastic is a step in the right direction, it's important to note that not all plastic can be recycled, and recycling regulations vary by location. Before disposing of hard plastic, it is crucial to check what types of plastic are accepted by your local recycling program or retailers with in-store drop-off bins for hard-to-recycle plastics. Additionally, some services, like Ridwell, offer pick-up services for hard-to-recycle plastics right from your door. Properly disposing of hard plastic involves cleaning and sorting plastic items, removing labels and stickers, and washing away any food or liquid residue. By taking these steps, we can all play a part in reducing plastic waste and protecting the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recycling hard plastic | Recycling symbol, usually found at the bottom of the product, identifies the type of plastic |
| Not all types of plastic are recyclable | |
| Clean and sort plastic items before recycling | |
| Remove labels or stickers, and wash out food or liquid residue | |
| Recycling regulations vary by city | |
| Some communities only accept certain types of plastic | |
| Check with local retailers for in-store drop-off bins for hard-to-recycle plastics | |
| Flexible plastic films can be recycled and save 8-23% of greenhouse gas emissions | |
| Store Drop-off programs collect plastic bags and other flexible plastic packaging | |
| Ridwell picks up hard-to-recycle plastics from your door |
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What You'll Learn
Check local recycling programs
Checking local recycling programs is a crucial step in properly disposing of hard plastics. Recycling regulations vary from city to city, so it's essential to understand the specific guidelines in your area. Local recycling programs are often managed by municipalities or waste management departments, and they provide information on acceptable materials, collection methods, and drop-off locations.
One way to identify local recycling programs is by visiting your city or municipality's official website. There, you can find detailed information about the types of plastic they accept and how to prepare your hard plastics for recycling. Some cities offer curbside recycling programs, where you can place your hard plastics in designated bins for collection. Others may have drop-off locations, such as recycling centres, community centres, or local retailers that accept specific types of plastics.
Additionally, local recycling programs may provide guidelines on how to sort and clean your hard plastics before disposal. Sorting plastics by type ensures that each material is recycled properly. It's important to remove any labels, stickers, or residue before placing hard plastics in the recycling bin. Some programs may also have specific requirements for handling plastics with food residue or those that have been in contact with other products.
Beyond the standard recycling programs, some local initiatives offer specialised services. For example, certain communities may provide flexible film collection bins in public spaces like parking lots. There are also subscription services through specialty recyclers in select municipalities for a monthly fee. These services cater to alternative plastics that may not be accepted in regular curbside or drop-off programs.
Lastly, local retailers or grocery stores may have partnerships with recycling programs. They sometimes offer in-store drop-off bins for hard-to-recycle plastics, providing a convenient option for proper disposal. By checking with these local establishments, you can identify additional avenues for responsible hard plastic disposal.
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Identify plastic type
Identifying the type of plastic is important to ensure proper disposal. There are seven different types of plastic, each with its own unique chemical structure and compliance with laws and restrictions. The seven plastic resin identification codes, developed by the plastics industry to facilitate recycling, are usually surrounded by a chasing arrows symbol and imprinted on the product. These codes are:
Code #1: PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
PET is the most common type of plastic, often used in single-use plastics such as water and soda bottles, and packaging. It is strong, lightweight, and has high impact and chemical resistance. PET is recyclable, and recycled PET is used to make textiles.
Code #2: HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
HDPE is a stiff, durable, and versatile plastic used for milk jugs, detergent and oil bottles, toys, and some plastic bags. It is weather-resistant and does not break down under sunlight or extreme temperatures. HDPE is the most commonly recycled plastic and is considered safe for reuse.
Code #3: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
PVC is a soft, flexible plastic commonly used in clear food wrapping, cooking oil bottles, teething rings, toys, and blister packaging. It is also used as sheathing for computer cables and in plumbing applications. PVC is not widely accepted by recycling programs.
Code #4: PS (Polystyrene)
PS is clear, inflexible plastic with low impact and fair chemical resistance. It is commonly used in mass-produced disposable containers, lab bottles, cutlery, and meat trays. Polystyrene is challenging to recycle due to the chemicals used in its manufacture, and it is not typically accepted by recycling plants.
Code #5: PP (Polypropylene)
PP is tough, lightweight, and has excellent heat resistance and barrier properties against moisture, grease, and chemicals. It is used for food containers, disposable diapers, plastic bottle tops, straws, and rope. Polypropylene is recyclable through some curbside recycling programs, and recycled PP is used for various applications.
Code #6: Other Plastics
This category includes plastics such as polycarbonate, nylon, and polylactic acid. Polycarbonate (PC) is associated with baby bottles, metal food cans, and dental sealants. However, due to the presence of Bisphenol A (BPA), PC is toxic and banned in several countries.
Code #7: Mixed Plastics
The final category, code #7, is a catch-all for all other types of plastic that do not fit into the previous six categories. Products in this category include bulletproof materials, sunglasses, DVDs, computer cases, and nylon. Like code #4, this type of plastic is not commonly accepted by recycling plants due to the chemicals and multiple plastics used in its manufacture.
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Clean and sort plastic items
To recycle plastic properly, it is essential to clean and sort plastic items before disposing of them. Sorting and cleaning plastic items correctly is an important step towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Firstly, it is important to check what types of plastic your local recycling program accepts. Recycling regulations vary by city, so it is worth checking what types of plastic are accepted in your area. Some communities only accept certain types of plastic, while others have stricter regulations on what can be recycled. You can also check with local retailers to see if they have in-store drop-off bins for hard-to-recycle plastics.
When it comes to cleaning and sorting plastic items, it is important to remove any labels or stickers and wash out any food or liquid residue. If the plastic has been in contact with food, it may be necessary to scrape and rinse the container with a small amount of water to ensure it is clean. In addition, hard and soft plastic waste must be sorted in the same container, and any plastic that has been in contact with chemicals such as paint or strong cleaning agents must be handed in at the recycling site.
It is also important to sort plastic by type to ensure that each material is recycled properly. Look for the recycling symbol, usually found on the bottom of the product, and identify the number inside. This number corresponds to the type of plastic, and not all types are recyclable.
Finally, some plastic items, such as plastic bags, should not be placed in your recycling bin. Instead, they should be taken to a local grocery store or recycling centre for proper disposal.
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Reuse plastic items
Plastic waste is a significant environmental concern, and it is crucial that we all play our part in reducing it. Recycling plastic is an important step, but it is equally important to reuse plastic items instead of throwing them away. Here are some ways to reuse plastic items:
Plastic bottles
Plastic bottles can be reused in numerous ways. For example, you can poke holes in a 2-litre bottle and attach it to a garden hose to create a simple DIY sprinkler. You can also cut plastic bottles and use them as planters or little greenhouses for your plants. Another idea is to use plastic bottles as storage for plastic bags or other small items. You can even get creative and decorate plastic bottles to make vases or gifts.
Plastic bags
Plastic bags can be reused for various purposes. For example, you can use them as bin liners or to pick up after your dog. You can also use plastic bags to store and organise items, such as clothes or toys, or to protect items from moisture when travelling.
Other plastic items
Other plastic items, such as containers, can be reused as well. For example, you can use a clean plastic container to store leftovers or bulk ingredients in your pantry. You can also use plastic containers for arts and crafts or to organise small items such as screws or nails in your garage. Detergent jugs can be reused to water plants or store other liquids.
It is important to note that some plastic items, such as single-use plastic bottles, should not be reused for certain purposes, such as drinking, due to safety concerns. Always check if the plastic item is safe for reuse and properly clean and sanitise it before reusing.
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Retailer-sponsored programs (e.g. Ridwell)
Retailer-sponsored programs, such as Ridwell, are a great way to dispose of hard-to-recycle plastics and other materials. Ridwell is a subscription-based service that specializes in collecting and safely disposing of hard-to-recycle items, including plastics, batteries, light bulbs, plastic film, and more. The company promises that goods are “sustainably reused or recycled” and that tricky trash finds its way to specialized plants for safe disposal.
Ridwell offers bi-weekly, front-door pickups of hard-to-recycle and reusable household items. This means you don't have to take your bin to the curb, and they come to your neighborhood every two weeks to collect your items. The basic Ridwell subscription starts at $14 a month for biweekly pickups, with more expensive tiers for those with more waste and complicated materials to recycle, such as the plan that recycles foam for $24 a month. There are also add-ons available for a fee, such as block Styrofoam and house paint, which can be added to any regularly scheduled pickup.
The company provides bags to store your items, making it convenient and easy to use their service. They also offer a range of categories for different types of waste, ensuring that your stuff finds a new home and is recycled or reused by their vetted partners. Ridwell is part of a growing trend of businesses catering to environmentally conscious consumers who want to keep waste out of landfills and make a positive impact on the environment.
In addition to Ridwell, there are other similar companies offering waste disposal services for hard-to-recycle items. For example, TerraCycle, a New Jersey-based company, provides customers with boxes that they can fill with certain types of waste for a fee. These boxes can be left at a company drop-off point or shipped back to TerraCycle for disposal. Rabbit Recycling, which operates in the Philadelphia metro area, also offers one-time pickups of hard-to-recycle items.
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Frequently asked questions
Before recycling, clean and sort plastic items. Remove any labels or stickers, and wash out any food or liquid residue.
Look for the recycling symbol, usually found on the bottom of the product, and identify the number inside the symbol. Not all types of plastic are recyclable.
Check with your local retailers to see if they have in-store drop-off bins for hard-to-recycle plastics. You can also check if your local recycling program accepts hard plastics.
Some companies, like Ridwell, pick up hard-to-recycle plastics right from your door and work with local partners to keep them out of landfills.
Bring your own reusable bags, water bottles, and containers to avoid single-use plastic. Reuse plastic items instead of throwing them away.
