Sofia Martinez
Plastic clamshells are a tricky material to recycle. They are made of Polyethylene-terephthalate, or PET for short, which is one of the most recyclable plastics. However, the process of making clamshells involves thermoforming, which gives them a different density than PET drink bottles, making them less desirable to recycling facilities. As a result, many recycling programs and material recovery facilities (MRFs) won't accept them, even though they are made of recyclable PET plastic. To recycle clamshells in the Bay Area, it is recommended to check with your service provider or use websites like Earth911 Recycling Search or plasticfilmrecycling.org to find local recycling solutions.
Where to recycle clamshell plastic in the Bay Area
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Clamshell plastic recyclability | Clamshell plastics are hiding in plain sight and are hard to recycle. They are made of a material that is easy to recycle in theory but remarkably hard in practice. |
| Clamshell plastic composition | Clamshells are made of a plastic called Polyethylene-terephthalate, or PET for short. PET is one of the most recyclable plastics. |
| Challenges with recycling clamshell plastics | When clamshells are processed at material recovery facilities (MRFs), operators and sorting equipment have a hard time differentiating clamshells from other similarly shaped containers made of different plastics. |
| Bay Area recycling guidelines | Guidelines vary city-by-city due to contracts with different waste-hauling companies. |
| Suggested actions | Check with your service provider before tossing clamshell plastics. You can also refer to www.plasticfilmrecycling.org for drop-off locations by ZIP code or use the Earth911 Recycling Search. |
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What You'll Learn
Clamshells are hard to recycle due to their shape and material
Clamshells are a common type of plastic packaging, often used for food products like spinach, strawberries, and cherry tomatoes. They are lightweight, durable, and strong enough to protect fragile items during transport. However, despite being made of a material that is theoretically easy to recycle, clamshells pose several challenges that make them difficult to recycle in practice.
One of the main issues is that clamshells are made of Polyethylene-terephthalate, or PET for short, which has a #1 symbol on it. While #1 PET plastic is usually accepted by curbside recycling services, clamshells are an exception. This is because clamshells and drink bottles, despite being made of the same type of plastic, are manufactured in distinct ways that result in different densities. As a result, clamshells melt at a different temperature than plastic bottles and break into differently-sized chips, making it challenging to process them together.
Additionally, clamshells often have strong adhesives on their labels, which are difficult to remove. They also produce more fine particles when processed, further complicating the recycling process. When clamshells are mixed with other plastics during recycling, they can contaminate the final product, reducing its quality. This is a significant issue for recycling facilities, as they aim to produce the purest bales of a given material to achieve the best market rate.
Furthermore, the unique shape of clamshells adds to the complexity of recycling them. Their design makes it hard for operators and sorting equipment at material recovery facilities (MRFs) to differentiate clamshells from other similarly-shaped containers made of different plastics. This sorting issue is a critical challenge, as improper sorting can lead to contamination of recyclables or the incorrect disposal of clamshells in landfills.
Despite these challenges, it is important to note that clamshells can be recycled. Some companies, like Ridwell, have partnered with specialized recyclers to handle clamshells responsibly. Additionally, consumers can play a role by avoiding products packaged in clamshells whenever possible and expressing their environmental concerns to manufacturers. By working together, we can find solutions to recycle clamshells effectively and reduce their impact on the environment.
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Local recycling programs may not accept clamshells
Plastic clamshells are notoriously difficult to recycle. While clamshells are made from Polyethylene-terephthalate, or PET plastic, which is theoretically 100% recyclable, they are often not accepted by local recycling programs. This is because clamshells are manufactured using a process called thermoforming, which gives them a different density to plastic bottles, despite both having a #1 symbol. This means that clamshells cannot simply be mixed with plastic bottles for recycling, as this would produce a material that is not high-quality.
Recycling facilities also lose money when clamshells are mixed in with bottles and jugs, as they are then dealing with a lesser quality of PET plastic. As a result, many recycling programs and MRFs won't accept clamshells for recycling, even though the material is recyclable.
Clamshells are also inherently difficult to sort once they are in the recycling facility. They are very light, so once they are flattened, they behave like paper on the sorting conveyor belt, making them hard to separate from other materials. Even facilities with advanced sorting machinery and a large number of employees struggle to tell clamshells apart from other types of plastic, due to the speed and volume at which they have to sort the materials.
Clamshells also melt at a different temperature to other plastics, which can create ash that can ruin an entire batch of good plastic. They also often have strong adhesives on them that are hard to remove.
Therefore, it is more desirable for a recycling facility to handle only #1 PET bottles, since it is a uniform type of plastic and will result in a pure end product. Even facilities that do accept clamshells prefer bottles and will only tolerate a small number of clamshells to avoid spoiling the end product.
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Clamshells are made from a highly recyclable plastic
When clamshells are processed at material recovery facilities (MRFs), operators and sorting equipment often struggle to differentiate clamshells from other similarly-shaped containers made of different plastics. As a result, the PET bales become "contaminated" with plastic clamshells, reducing the market rate for the recycled material. Therefore, many recycling programs and MRFs won't accept clamshells, even though they are made of recyclable PET plastic.
Clamshells are also difficult to recycle because they are made through a process called thermoforming, which gives them a different grade of PET than bottles and jugs, which are made through blow molding. PET thermoform containers, like clamshells, pose various recycling challenges, as identified by the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) in 2016.
Additionally, clamshells often have strong adhesives, sticky labels, or food residues that can be challenging to remove. They also break into different-sized chips than plastic bottles and melt at different temperatures, further complicating the recycling process. All of these factors make it more desirable for recycling facilities to handle mostly or only #1 PET bottles, as they produce a relatively pure end product.
Despite these challenges, some companies, like Ridwell, have partnered with organizations like Green Impact Plastics to responsibly recycle clamshells. As consumers, we can also play a role in advocating for our recycling centers to accept clamshells and choosing products with more sustainable packaging.
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Rinse clamshells before recycling
Plastic clamshells are notoriously difficult to recycle. They are made of a material that is easy to recycle in theory but challenging in practice. This is due to the nature of the materials used to make them. While clamshells and drink bottles are both made of PET plastic, they are produced using different processes, resulting in distinct densities. Clamshells also break into differently-sized chips compared to plastic bottles, melt at a different temperature, and often have strong adhesives that are challenging to remove. These factors make it difficult for recyclers to mix clamshells and plastic bottles, as doing so can result in a lower-quality end product.
Despite these challenges, some facilities accept clear plastic clamshells for recycling. For example, in Cuyahoga County, Rumpke Waste & Recycling accepts clear plastic clamshells. Improved optical scanners and AI technology allow them to separate plastic clamshells from other plastics effectively. Additionally, some companies, like Ridwell, have partnered with organizations like Green Impact Plastics to responsibly recycle plastic clamshells.
To properly recycle clamshells, it is essential to ensure they are clean and dry before placing them in the recycling bin. Giving them a light rinse is usually sufficient. It is also important to separate clamshells from other plastics, as they need to be recycled separately. Keep in mind that not all recycling programs accept clamshells, so check with your local recycling guidelines or processors to determine if they can be recycled in your area.
If you live in the Bay Area, you can refer to resources like The Mercury News for specific recycling tips. They provide guidance on what can be recycled, such as bottles, cans, paper, and harder plastics, and offer suggestions for proper disposal of items like pizza boxes, broken mirrors, and cosmetic packaging. They also emphasize that guidelines can vary between cities due to contracts with different waste-hauling companies, so checking with your service provider is essential. Additionally, websites like plasticfilmrecycling.org provide information on drop-off locations for certain plastics by ZIP code.
In summary, while recycling plastic clamshells can be challenging due to the unique characteristics of the material, there are steps you can take to increase the likelihood of successful recycling. These include rinsing and drying the clamshells, separating them from other plastics, and checking with your local recycling guidelines or processors to ensure they are accepted in your area. By following these steps, you can help keep clamshells out of landfills and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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Contact manufacturers to encourage alternative packaging
Plastic clamshells are notoriously difficult to recycle. While clamshells are made from Polyethylene-terephthalate (PET), a plastic that is usually accepted for recycling, clamshells are often an exception to this rule. This is because the process of recycling clamshells is different from that of other PET products, and they have different densities.
Clamshells are also problematic because they are made from a large volume of plastic material, which increases their size and weight. This impacts shipping and storage efficiency and increases carbon emissions. Additionally, clamshells cannot be printed on directly, so a separate label must be applied, adding to material waste.
Due to these issues, consumers, environmentalists, and retailers have denounced clamshells as wasteful and frustrating. Manufacturers and big retailers are also reconsidering the use of so much plastic due to rising oil prices and environmental concerns. Some companies are actively looking for cheaper, more sustainable alternatives.
If you want to encourage alternative packaging, you can contact manufacturers and retailers directly to express your concerns about their use of clamshells. You can also support companies that have already switched to more sustainable packaging, such as Home Depot, Target, and Wal-Mart Stores. By making your voice heard and supporting sustainable initiatives, you can help drive the change towards more eco-friendly packaging solutions.
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