Alexei Volkov
Plastic is a complicated material to recycle, and consumers often don't know which types can be recycled and how to recycle them. Most hard plastics coded 1 to 7 can be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin, but this depends on your municipality's guidelines. Plastic bottles and containers are made from natural resources such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal, and most are not biodegradable, so it is important to recycle them. This article will focus on where to recycle number 7 plastic, which is used for miscellaneous plastic resins that don't fit into other categories, such as sunglasses and CDs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Identification Code | 7 |
| Recyclability | Cannot be recycled through kerbside recycling bins. Contact your local council to best recycle or dispose of these items. |
| Examples | Sunglasses, CDs, bottles made from PET or PETE, plastic peanut butter jars, containers for other popular food items |
| Other Information | The presence of a resin code doesn't necessarily mean the product can be recycled. It's the number inside the triangle that counts. |
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What You'll Learn
- Recycling codes 1, 2, and 5 are usually accepted by most local councils
- Plastic bags can be recycled at certain stores
- Hard plastics coded 1 to 7 can be recycled in your yellow-lidded recycling bin
- Soft plastics can be recycled at REDcycle, located at most major supermarkets
- Plastic bottles and containers can be recycled, ensuring they are empty and crushed
Recycling codes 1, 2, and 5 are usually accepted by most local councils
Plastic items are usually stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. The presence of a resin code doesn’t necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. It’s the number inside the triangle that counts, because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.
Code 2 will often appear on small dog poop bags. The more rigid plastic form can be recycled through your kerbside recycling bin (empty). The soft plastic form, on the other hand, cannot go into the recycling bin and can be recycled at REDcycle, located at most major supermarkets.
The recycle 5 symbol is often found on plastic takeaway. This can be put into your kerbside collection, but like all council collections, they must be clean and empty before recycling.
However, it is important to always check the logo and packaging of the product. Just because a recycling symbol is present, it does not mean that it can be recycled through your council collection.
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Plastic bags can be recycled at certain stores
Plastic bags, typically coded as 2 or 4, cannot be recycled through kerbside recycling bins. They can, however, be recycled at specific store drop-off locations. Many stores have plastic bag recycling bins, often referred to as film plastic recycling, due to the large quantity of plastic bags distributed before the statewide ban in California. These bins accept any bag with a recycling symbol marked plastic #2 or #4 or a "Store Drop-Off" label.
It's crucial to ensure that all bags are clean and dry before placing them in the store drop-off bins. Dirty or wet bags can contaminate the entire bin, hindering the recycling process. Additionally, avoid bags that feel thick, durable, or loud and crunchy, as these are not suitable for recycling in these bins.
While plastic bags can be recycled at certain stores, it's worth noting that not all plastic types are accepted by local councils. Recycling codes 1, 2, and 5 are usually accepted, but it's always good to check the packaging and with your local council. Some plastics, like those marked with code 7, may require special handling, and it's best to contact your local council for proper disposal or recycling instructions.
By understanding the different types of plastic and their recyclability, we can ensure that plastic bags and other plastic items are recycled properly. Remember to separate plastic bags from your kerbside recycling and take advantage of store drop-off locations to do your part in reducing plastic waste.
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Hard plastics coded 1 to 7 can be recycled in your yellow-lidded recycling bin
Most hard plastics coded 1 to 7 can be recycled in your kerbside yellow-lidded recycling bin. However, expanded polystyrene foam, number 6, and plastic bags, which are usually number 2 or 4, cannot be recycled through these bins. Plastic bags, except biodegradable or compostable bags, can be recycled at certain stores. Check the store details to see which materials they accept, and ensure that all items are clean and free of food.
The presence of a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle, does not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. It is the number inside the triangle that counts, as each number corresponds to a different type of plastic. Recycling codes 1, 2, and 5 are usually accepted by most local councils.
Some examples of products with recycling code 1 include vegetable oil containers, and these plastics can be recycled through your kerbside recycling bin and need to be emptied before disposal. Recycling code 2 may be tossed into standard recycling bins, and recycling these containers is mandatory in Massachusetts.
Recycling code 6 is often bulky yet lightweight polystyrene, which can be hard to recycle. It is best to avoid purchasing products with this code. Items with this code include meat trays, and you should contact your local council to best recycle or dispose of these items.
Recycling code 7 is for miscellaneous plastic resins that don't fit into the other categories. These include sunglasses and CDs, and these items should not be placed in your recycling bin for local council pickup. Contact your local council for advice on how to best recycle or dispose of these items.
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Soft plastics can be recycled at REDcycle, located at most major supermarkets
PVC is a soft and flexible plastic used in a wide range of household products, including plastic tubing, children's toys, plastic trays, and furniture. It is also commonly used in plastic wrappings, grocery bags, and bags for fresh produce and bread loaves.
Other soft plastics include Biogone's plastic products, which are made from LDPE, a soft and flexible plastic that is landfill-biodegradable. LDPE products cannot be recycled through your kerbside recycling bin and must be taken to a specialized program such as REDcycle.
If you are unsure whether a plastic item can be recycled, look for the recycling symbol with a number from 1 to 7. This number indicates the grade of plastic and, combined with the ARL labels, will tell you how and if it can be recycled. For example, plastics with the code 1 are typically clear and lightweight and can be recycled through your kerbside recycling bin. On the other hand, plastics with the code 3, such as PVC, are not accepted by most councils in kerbside waste collection.
Therefore, if you have soft plastics to recycle, your best option is to take them to a REDcycle location at a major supermarket.
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Plastic bottles and containers can be recycled, ensuring they are empty and crushed
Plastic bottles and containers can be recycled, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure they are disposed of properly. First, make sure they are empty and crushed. Rinsing or washing the containers before recycling them is a good idea, as this removes any sugar or food remnants that could attract insects and generate odours. Most recycling programs will ask you to do this.
Secondly, check with your local program to see if they want you to remove the caps or keep them on. Some programs prefer the caps on to prevent them from falling out during transportation, while others want them off to ensure the bottle is empty and to avoid damaging machinery when crushing the bottles.
Thirdly, different types of plastics are coded with a number from 1 to 7, and these codes indicate whether they can be recycled and how. Types 1 and 2 plastics are usually accepted by most local councils and can be placed in your kerbside recycling bin. Type 1 plastics include things like vegetable oil containers, while type 2 plastics are high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles. Harder plastics coded 1 to 7 can be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin, but check with your local council to be sure.
Some plastics are harder to recycle than others. For example, PVC, polystyrene, and plastic bags cannot usually be recycled through kerbside recycling bins. If you have products made from these materials, contact your local council to see how they should be recycled or disposed of properly.
Finally, remember that plastic bottles and containers can often be reused or repurposed before being recycled. They can be excellent for storing leftovers or other items, and reusing them can reduce the amount of new plastic that needs to be produced.
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Frequently asked questions
A triangle with a number inside (1 to 7) stamped on a plastic container or bottle is called a Plastic Identification Code. This code identifies the type of plastic used to make the product.
The number inside the triangle on plastic items corresponds to a different type of plastic. Codes 1, 2 and 5 are usually accepted by most local councils. Code 7 is used for all other kinds of miscellaneous plastic resins that don't fit into any other category.
Plastic lids should be screwed back onto the bottle lightly and placed in the recycling bin. Some councils prefer the lid to be placed in the garbage bin, so it is best to check with your council.
Plastic bags, except biodegradable or compostable bags, can be recycled. All items should be clean and free of food. Compostable and biodegradable bags should be placed in your home composting bin.
Hard-to-recycle plastics include Styrofoam, shrink wrap, manufacturing scrap, and PVC. These require specialized handling.
