Alexei Volkov
Plastic recycling is a challenging but important topic. The process of recycling plastic involves collecting, cleaning, sorting, shredding, and melting down plastic waste to form pellets, which are then sold to producers of recycled plastic products. However, the sheer variety of plastics poses a challenge, as different types of plastic do not mix well when melted and small amounts of the wrong type can ruin an entire batch. This means that plastic must be carefully sorted, which is usually done with the help of high-tech machines at large-scale recycling facilities. With only about 8.7% of plastic generated in the United States in 2018 being recycled, it is clear that recycling technologies need to be scaled up and improved to deal with hard-to-recycle plastics.
Where to recycle hard-to-recycle plastic
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags | Return to your grocery store or take to a supermarket or retailer that collects soft plastics |
| Plastic film labels | Not recyclable; remove before recycling the container |
| Plastic tampon applicators | Not recyclable; throw in the trash |
| Plastic straws | Not recyclable |
| Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) | Not recyclable; Recycle Utah is the only facility in the state of Utah that recycles EPS (expanded polystyrene foam) |
| Plastic coffee cups | Requires a special machine to recycle |
| Plastic pill packaging, condiment pouches, bread bag clips | Treated as trash |
| Plastic bottle caps | Some facilities want you to keep them on, others want you to take them off; check locally |
| Plastic bottles | 99% of UK local authorities offer collection facilities for recycling |
| Plastic containers with different-coloured tops | Can be recycled together |
| Plastic Brita-brand water filters | Can be recycled at Recycle Utah |
| Plastic athletic sneakers | Can be recycled at Recycle Utah |
| Plastic keyboards | May be recyclable if you get them to the right person |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling plastic conserves natural resources and energy
Recycling plastic is an effective way to conserve natural resources and energy. It is a process that reduces the need to extract new resources, such as timber, water, and minerals, for creating new products. By reusing materials, recycling also helps to reduce energy consumption and lower the environmental impact of waste disposal.
Most plastics are derived from petroleum products like oil or natural gas. Recycling plastic saves a significant amount of energy and natural resources. For example, recycling just 10 plastic bottles saves enough energy to power a laptop for over 25 hours, and a ton of recycled plastic saves over 16 barrels of oil, 5,700 kilowatt-hours of energy, and about 30 cubic yards of landfill space.
The recycling process is complex and influenced by market demand, local regulations, and consumer behaviour. It is important to understand what can be recycled and to prepare materials properly before placing them in the recycling bin. For example, plastic bags, straws, and coffee cups are often not recyclable through municipal programs, while items like plastic bottles, laundry detergent containers, and personal care product bottles are typically accepted for recycling.
Recycling plastic helps to reduce pollution and waste. It also encourages the creation of new products made from recycled materials, such as recovered plastic used in carpeting, auto parts, and thousands of other products. By purchasing products made from recycled content, consumers can close the recycling loop and further support the conservation of natural resources and energy.
Additionally, recycling plastic contributes to mitigating climate change. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recycling and composting municipal solid waste saved over 193 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2018. This highlights the significant environmental benefits of recycling plastic and other materials.
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Plastic resin codes indicate the type of plastic and its recyclability
Plastic resin codes, also known as Resin Identification Codes (RIC), are a technical standard with a set of symbols that appear on plastic products. They identify the type of plastic resin used to make the product. The RIC was developed in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry (now the Plastics Industry Association) in the United States, but since 2008 has been administered by ASTM International, an international standards organisation.
The RIC consists of a number, ranging from 1 to 7, inside a triangle of arrows. These numbers correspond to a specific type of plastic, each with its own set of properties and applications. For example, #1 (PET) is often used for water bottles and has the highest recycling value, while #7 (OTHER) is a catch-all category. Other types include HDPE, LDPE, PP, and PVC.
It is important to note that the presence of a RIC on a plastic product does not necessarily indicate that it is recyclable. The RIC was designed to facilitate the recycling process by making it easier for workers to sort and separate items according to their resin type. However, the recyclability of plastics depends on various factors, including market demand, local regulations, and the capabilities of local recycling facilities.
The "How2Recycle" label was created by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition in the United States to address consumer confusion about the RIC. Rather than indicating the type of plastic resin, the "How2Recycle" labels indicate whether a plastic product is widely recycled, can be recycled through store drop-off, or should be checked locally for specific recycling instructions.
By understanding plastic resin codes and their recyclability, consumers can make informed decisions about packaging and recycling, contributing to a more sustainable future.
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Plastic waste can be reused or repurposed
Some plastic items cannot be recycled in your home recycling bin. Polystyrene foam, for example, is not recyclable in your blue bin, even if it has the recycling symbol on it. Plastic bags are also not recyclable in your blue bin, but they can be returned to your grocery store. Compostable plastic is not recyclable, and it is designed to be composted at commercial composting facilities.
However, plastic waste can often be reused or repurposed. Plastic bottles can be reused for storage or for crafts, such as a DIY piggy bank or a charging dock for a cell phone. They can also be used for children's crafts, such as a jet pack for a Halloween costume or a toy car.
There are also ways to reuse plastic in your everyday life. You can reuse Ziplock bags for traveling or storing dry goods. You can also keep a plastic bottle in the kitchen to separate egg yolks.
Some companies are also finding ways to reuse plastic. For example, Fair Harbor Clothing turns plastic bottles into board shorts, and they will recycle old swimwear of any brand.
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Retailers and grocery stores often accept materials for recycling
Additionally, some retailers have impressive recycling programs. For instance, Aveda, a beauty company, offers in-store recycling for items that aren't accepted in municipal recycling programs, such as makeup brushes and tubes. Similarly, Nike recycles worn-out or surplus shoes and pre-consumer waste into new products through its Nike Grind program. H&M, a fast-fashion company, has also launched a global recycling initiative, collecting garments for recycling or reuse and creating new goods with the recycled materials.
Staples, a retailer, has created a program that allows customers to earn rewards for recycling ink cartridges in stores or through the mail. Best Buy, the largest US electronics retailer, accepts a wide range of e-waste and appliances for free, although they now charge a fee for TVs and monitors.
Furthermore, grocery chains and retail stores can benefit from implementing effective recycling solutions to ensure sustainability and optimize waste management. Recover Inc. is an example of an organization that provides customized recycling plans for grocery and retail stores, helping them streamline their collection processes and salvage value from their by-products.
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Plastic recycling needs to be scaled up worldwide
Plastic is one of the world's most-used materials. Its technical sophistication, lightweight nature, and affordability make it suitable for a wide range of applications. However, the challenge lies not in its use, which is generally harmless, but in the end-of-life management of plastic products. Since 1950, nearly half of all plastic waste has ended up in landfills or dumped in the wild, with only 9% of used plastic being adequately recycled. It is estimated that 4 to 12 million metric tons of plastic waste enters our oceans each year.
The process of recycling plastics is complex and varies significantly across different countries. Developed economies with regulations encouraging recycling have achieved rates of around 30%, while developing economies with a minimal industrial base have recycling rates close to 0%. Recycling is the best solution for managing plastic waste as it reduces environmental impact and generates significant economic benefits. However, the recycling of plastics needs to be scaled up worldwide to address the growing plastic waste problem effectively.
The success of plastic recycling depends on various factors, including market demand, price determinations, and local regulations. Consumers play a critical role in this process, as the way they use and dispose of plastic products can significantly impact recycling outcomes. It is important to recognize that not all plastics are recyclable, and certain types, such as compostable plastics, should be composted at commercial facilities rather than recycled. Additionally, flexible packaging, like potato chip bags, made from layers of different plastics, poses challenges to the recycling process due to the difficulty in separating the layers.
To scale up plastic recycling globally, several strategies can be implemented. Firstly, public investment in recycling systems is crucial for their long-term sustainability and success. Subsidies, investments, and public support are essential to enhance the recycling infrastructure and capacity. Secondly, collaboration between recyclers and stakeholders at all stages of the value chain is necessary to overcome technical, psychological, and economic barriers that hinder the increased use of recycled plastic over raw plastic. Regulators also have a significant role in creating favorable frameworks that promote eco-design, separated waste collection, and the inclusion of recycled plastic in products. Lastly, consumer awareness and engagement are powerful drivers for change. By pressuring brands and manufacturers through actions like boycotts, citizens can influence companies to adopt more sustainable practices and increase their focus on recycling.
In conclusion, plastic recycling is an essential aspect of waste management that needs to be significantly scaled up worldwide. By implementing strategies that involve public investment, collaboration across the value chain, regulatory support, and citizen engagement, we can effectively address the plastic waste crisis and mitigate its environmental impact.
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Frequently asked questions
Polystyrene foam, also known as Styrofoam, is not recyclable in your blue bin. Plastic utensils and compostable plastics are also hard to recycle.
There are so many different types of plastics, and they don't mix well when melted down. Small amounts of the wrong type can degrade the quality of a whole batch, so plastic must be carefully sorted first.
Check with your local recycling program or visit Earth911 to find a location near you that recycles hard-to-recycle plastics.
Scaling up established recycling technologies, developing new technologies to deal with hard-to-recycle plastics, and reducing the production of single-use plastics can all help improve the recycling of hard-to-recycle plastics.
