Alexei Volkov
Plastic recycling is a complex process, and consumers often don't know what types of plastic can be disposed of and how. Most plastic products are stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows, which corresponds to a different type of plastic. For instance, PET or PETE, the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages, is identified by the number 1 and is recyclable. LDPE, a flexible plastic used for bags and bottles, is identified by the number 2 and is increasingly accepted by recycling programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic type | PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) |
| Plastic code | 1 or 2 |
| Plastic description | Clear or green, rigid containers that sink in water |
| Examples | Bottles for soda, water, drinks, cooking oil, plastic peanut butter jars, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, laundry detergent bottles, plastic bags |
| Recyclability | Recyclable |
| Pre-recycling steps | Rinse, reattach caps and lids |
| Additional notes | Check local municipality guidelines for specific recycling instructions |
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What You'll Learn
- Recycling plastic bottles: rinse, reattach caps, and place in the recycling bin
- Recycling plastic bags: wash, dry, and return to stores
- Recycling symbols: check your municipality's guidelines to understand what they mean
- Plastic types: learn the differences between LDPE and HDPE, and which can be recycled
- Plastic items that cannot be recycled: takeout containers, plastic tubs, and film plastics
Recycling plastic bottles: rinse, reattach caps, and place in the recycling bin
Plastic bottles are one of the most common plastic products, and they can be recycled. However, the process of recycling plastic is complex, and consumers often don't know what types of plastic can be recycled and in which ways.
If you want to recycle your plastic bottles, the first step is to rinse them out with water to ensure there is no liquid remaining in the bottle. Then, reattach the caps. This is because the caps are typically made from a different type of plastic resin than the bottle, which has a lower recycling commodity market value. If your local recycling program does not accept caps, you should dispose of them separately, perhaps in a plastic bag, to prevent them from becoming marine debris. However, many recycling programs are now adopting a '
Once you have rinsed the bottles and reattached the caps, you can place them in your recycling bin. It is important to check with your local recycling program whether there are any specific requirements for your area, as each type of plastic corresponds to different recycling instructions. For example, LDPE plastics are flexible and have not typically been accepted by American recycling programs, but this is changing, and some communities now accept them.
Recycling plastic bottles is an important step to prevent them from ending up in landfills or harming marine life.
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Recycling plastic bags: wash, dry, and return to stores
Plastic bags are among the most common sources of marine debris, where they can be mistaken for food by birds and fish. Most plastic bags are made from high-density polyethylene (#2 plastic), but thinner-material bags (such as produce bags) are made from low-density polyethylene (#4 plastic).
Before recycling plastic bags, it is important to wash and dry them. This can be done by turning the bags inside out and filling the sink with an inch or two of sudsy water. Once washed, the bags should be dried and rolled up, ready for storage. One way to dry plastic bags is by using a bag-drying jar, which can be decorated and used as an Earth Day project for kids.
Once dry, plastic bags can be returned to stores for recycling. Most major grocery retailers, such as Kroger, Safeway, Target, and Walmart, offer bag recycling collections in their stores, usually located near the front entrance. It is important to check your municipality's recycling guidelines to see what is and is not accepted. If you are unsure, it is best to throw the item away to avoid contaminating other recyclables.
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Recycling symbols: check your municipality's guidelines to understand what they mean
Plastic recycling is a complex process. The first step to responsible recycling is understanding the various recycling symbols and your municipality's guidelines for what is and isn't accepted.
Recycling symbols are tied to resin identification codes, or simply, the type of plastic used in manufacturing. The presence of a resin code doesn't mean the product can be recycled; it's the number inside the triangle that counts as each number corresponds to a different type of plastic. The USA currently uses seven codes for different types of plastic, but the rest of the world uses more.
The Mobius symbol, or the classic three arrows in a circle, indicates that glass or metal can be recycled. Glass bottles and jars can be disposed of in a bottle bank or through your glass household recycling collection if you have one. Metal or steel items are also generally recyclable.
Some other symbols you may encounter include:
- The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo, which identifies wood-based products from well-managed forests.
- The seedling symbol, which indicates that a product is industrially compostable or suitable for home composting.
- Symbols on plastic wrapping, such as bread bags, fruit and vegetable bags, crisp packets, and chocolate wrappers, which can be recycled at selected supermarkets.
- Symbols on electrical items, which can be recycled via retailers or at recycling centres.
It's important to note that different types of plastic have varying processing needs, such as different melting temperatures, and are ultimately recycled into different products. Some factories manually separate the plastics, while others have equipment to do so. However, non-recyclable items in the recycling stream can cost processors time and money, and they may send the entire bag of items to the landfill if it contains too many non-recyclable items. Therefore, it's crucial to understand your town's legislation and rules for recycling and check what symbols are accepted in a recycling bin or for curbside pickup.
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Plastic types: learn the differences between LDPE and HDPE, and which can be recycled
Plastic is one of the most complex materials to recycle, in part because consumers don't know which types can be disposed of and how. To help you understand the differences between LDPE and HDPE, here is a detailed explanation:
LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is a flexible thermoplastic with many applications. It has a low density and a lower melting point compared to HDPE, ranging from 106-115 degrees Celsius. LDPE is commonly used in product packaging, such as grocery bags, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, and plastic wrappings. While LDPE can be recycled, it hasn't been accepted by most recycling programs in the past. However, more communities are starting to accept it, and it can be transformed into new products like bin liners and packaging films. LDPE is also suitable for applications that require flexibility.
On the other hand, HDPE, or High-Density Polyethylene, is a high-density thermoplastic known for its durability and strength-to-density ratio. It has a higher melting point, ranging from 120-130 degrees Celsius. HDPE is commonly used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and cleaning product containers. This type of plastic is easily recyclable and is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide. The recycling process for HDPE involves collecting products, sending them to large facilities for processing, and then using the recycled material for various purposes, such as non-food application bottles or downcycling into plastic lumber and other durable products.
To determine which plastic items can be recycled, look for resin codes or recycling symbols on the products. These codes are numbers 1 through 7 inside a small triangle made of arrows. Each number corresponds to a different type of plastic and provides information on how to recycle the item properly. Additionally, check with your local municipality's recycling guidelines to understand what types of plastic they accept and any specific instructions they may have.
When it comes to recycling plastic, it's important to follow the guidelines provided by your local recycling programs. If you're unsure whether an item is recyclable, it's best to throw it away to avoid contaminating other recyclables. Properly recycling plastic items helps ensure they are actually being recycled and contributes to environmental health and sustainability.
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Plastic items that cannot be recycled: takeout containers, plastic tubs, and film plastics
Plastic items with resin codes 1 and 2 are commonly accepted for recycling. Type 1 plastics, or PET/PETE, are used for soda bottles, water bottles, and other drink bottles. They are also used for cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars, and other food containers. Type 2 plastics, or HDPE plastics, are used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and cleaning product containers. However, not all plastic items can be recycled, and some plastic items that fall under resin codes 1 and 2 may still be rejected by recycling centres. Takeout containers, plastic tubs, and film plastics are examples of plastic items that may not always be accepted for recycling.
Takeout containers, such as plastic clamshell packaging, are technically recyclable. However, they often contain food residue, which can contaminate other materials during the recycling process. It is important to ensure that any plastic item intended for recycling is clean and free of residue to prevent contamination. Some recycling centres may reject takeout containers due to the risk of contamination or because they do not have the necessary recycling infrastructure for this specific type of plastic.
Plastic tubs, such as those used for margarine and other food products, typically fall under resin code 5, which is polypropylene (PP). While some recycling centres may accept this type of plastic, it is not as widely recycled as types 1 and 2. The recyclability of plastic tubs may vary depending on the region and the capabilities of the local recycling facilities.
Film plastics, such as plastic wrappings, bags, and thin plastic films, can be challenging to recycle due to their lightweight and flexible nature. They can cause issues in recycling machinery, such as clogging or flying into the air and getting stuck. These plastics often require separate collection and specialised recycling processes. Some retailers offer store drop-off programs or subscription services through specialty recyclers for recycling flexible plastic films. However, it is essential to verify which types of film plastics are accepted by these programs, as not all flexible packaging can be recycled.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic 1 and 2 are the most common types of plastic containers and the most easily recyclable. They are also the most likely to have a California Redemption Value (CRV) associated with them.
Plastic 1, also known as PET or PETE, is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks. It is also used for cooking oil containers and plastic jars for peanut butter and other food items. Plastic 2, or HDPE, is used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and cleaning product containers.
To recycle plastic 1 and 2, you should first check your municipality's recycling guidelines for specific instructions. Generally, you should rinse and place these items in your recycle bin. You can also take them to a local drop-off site for recycling.
Along with plastic 1 and 2, you can recycle office paper, mail, cardboard, newspaper, magazines, catalogs, softcover books, and paperboard boxes.
When in doubt, it is best to throw the item away. Non-recyclable items can contaminate other recyclables and cost processors time and money. Check the website, Facebook page, or contact the local recycling center to clarify any doubts.
