Ethan Clarke
Plastic is everywhere, and it's creating a global pollution problem. While in principle, almost all plastic can be recycled, in practice, this is rarely economically viable. In the US, the amount of plastic actually turned into new products has fallen to new lows of around 5%, and the majority of plastic put into recycling bins ends up in landfills. However, some plastics are recycled more than others. The most widely recycled plastic in the world is PET, which is relatively easy to recycle and is used to make items like plastic bottles. HDPE is another easily recyclable plastic polymer that is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most widely recycled plastic | PET |
| PET recycling rate in 2011 | 7.5 million tons |
| PET recycled into | Polar fleece clothes, backpacks, carpets |
| HDPE | Accepted at most recycling centers |
| HDPE recycling rate in the US | 30% |
| HDPE used for | Non-food application bottles, detergent, motor oil, household cleaners |
| Plastic generation in the US in 2018 | 35.7 million tons |
| Plastic recycling rate in the US in 2018 | 8.7% |
| PET bottles and jars recycling rate in 2018 | 29.1% |
| HDPE natural bottles recycling rate in 2018 | 29.3% |
| Plastic combusted in MSW in 2018 | 5.6 million tons |
| Plastic in landfills in 2018 | 27 million tons |
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Plastic bottles
Despite these challenges, recycling plastic bottles is still important and beneficial. Recycling plastic bottles saves energy, with 75% less energy consumed for each bottle, equivalent to taking 360,000 cars off the road. It also reduces water consumption, as new water bottles require six times the amount of water they contain to produce. Recycling plastic bottles can also help to reduce the amount of litter on streets, waterways, and oceans, as 14% of all litter consists of beverage containers. Additionally, recycling plastic bottles can help reduce the amount of plastic pollution in the ocean, keeping resources in the loop and trash out of landfills.
The most widely recycled plastic in the world is PET, which is commonly used to make beverage bottles. When PET is recycled, it is known as rPET, rePET, or rPETE. This recycled material is found in a wide range of products, including new water bottles, polyester carpet fibre, t-shirts, upholstery, industrial strapping, and fibre fill for sleeping bags. In some cases, recycled PET plastic bottles are used to create fashion items such as polar fleece clothing, backpacks, and carpets.
HDPE is another type of plastic that is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide, as it is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. The recycling rate for HDPE bottles in the US is around 30%. HDPE can be transparent or pigmented (coloured) and is often used for non-food application bottles such as detergent, motor oil, and household cleaners.
While recycling plastic bottles is important, it is also crucial to reduce the use of single-use plastics and switch to refillable and reusable containers to curb plastic pollution at its source.
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Plastic bags
However, this doesn't mean that plastic bags cannot be recycled at all. Many large grocery store chains and retailers have collection bins specifically designated for plastic bag recycling. These bins are usually located near the entrance of the store and are clearly marked for plastic bag drop-off. The bags collected in these bins are then sent to specialized recycling facilities that can process them properly.
It is important to ensure that plastic bags are clean and dry before placing them in the recycling bins. Dirty or wet bags can contaminate the entire batch of recycled plastic, making it unusable. Additionally, it is worth noting that not all plastic bags are created equal when it comes to recycling. The type of plastic resin used to make the bag determines its recyclability.
Most plastic bags are made from polyethylene, which is a type of plastic that can be recycled. However, it is always a good idea to check the resin identification code on the bag, which is usually printed near the bottom with a recycling symbol and a number. The most commonly recycled plastic bag types are those with the resin codes #2 and #4, which indicate high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), respectively.
By following these guidelines and properly disposing of plastic bags, we can do our part to reduce plastic waste and promote the recycling of this common material. Remember to always check with your local waste management guidelines and recycling centers to understand their specific capabilities and requirements for plastic bag recycling.
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Plastic containers
The most widely recycled plastic worldwide is PET (polyethylene terephthalate), commonly found in plastic bottles and jars. In 2018, the recycling rate for PET bottles and jars was 29.1%, with India, Europe, and South Korea achieving rates higher than 50%. However, countries like the US and China lag behind in their PET recycling rates. PET is relatively easy to recycle, and recycled PET is used in various products, including fashion items, carpets, and even construction materials in developing countries.
Another commonly recycled plastic is HDPE (high-density polyethylene), which is accepted at most recycling centers globally. HDPE is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle, and the recycling rate for HDPE bottles in the US is around 30%. Recycled HDPE is used in non-food application bottles, such as those for detergent, motor oil, and household cleaners.
Despite the recyclability of PET and HDPE, the overall recycling rates for plastic containers remain low. In the US, for example, only 8.7% of plastic was recycled in 2018, with the majority ending up in landfills. This issue is exacerbated by the challenge of separating and recycling multi-layered plastic items, contamination of plastics with food and other substances, and the high costs associated with operating recycling facilities.
To effectively recycle plastic containers, it is essential to separate them from other waste, ensure they are clean and dry, and check with local programs to confirm which specific types of plastic are recyclable in your area.
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Plastic types
Plastic is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW). While there are seven different types of plastic used globally, the following are the most common types of plastics that are recycled by most towns and cities:
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
The most widely recycled plastic in the world is PET, which is relatively easy to recycle. PET can be transparent or pigmented (coloured) and is commonly found in plastic bottles. In 2018, the recycling rate of PET bottles and jars was 29.1%. PET can be recycled into various products, including fashion items such as polar fleece clothing, backpacks, and carpets.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
HDPE is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide. The recycling rate for HDPE bottles was around 30% in the US in 2018. HDPE is often used in detergent bottles, motor oil containers, and household cleaner bottles.
It is important to note that the recyclability of plastic can be undermined by various factors, such as contamination by food or other substances, the presence of multiple types of plastic in an item, and the economic and technical challenges of recycling. Additionally, the success of recycling programs can vary across different towns and cities, with some implementing mandatory curbside recycling programs.
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Plastic recycling rates
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States recycled 8.7% of its plastic waste in 2018. An NGO report claimed that this rate dropped to around 5% in 2021, which may be partially attributed to the global pandemic. The US recycling rate for HDPE bottles is around 30%, while the rate for PET bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018. In contrast, India, Europe, and South Korea have PET recycling rates higher than 50%.
The UK recycles about 17% of its annual plastic waste. However, it is important to note that recycling rates are measured differently across the world, making it challenging to determine which regions recycle the most plastic. Some reports measure per capita, by weight, or only for specific plastic types.
The low recycling rates are concerning, given that plastic production continues to increase, leading to negative environmental impacts and strain on raw materials. According to the OECD, scientists believe that only 9% of the world's plastic is recycled. Greenpeace reported that no plastic meets the threshold to be considered "recyclable," which is a recycling rate of 30%.
Several factors contribute to the low recycling rates. Plastic can be contaminated by food and other substances, making it unsuitable for reuse. Additionally, recycling facilities are costly to build and operate, requiring a high volume of plastic to be treated daily to remain profitable. Small quantities of plastic may not be economically viable for recycling due to low efficiencies and high costs.
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Frequently asked questions
The types of plastics that are recycled vary depending on the area. It's always best to check your local programs to confirm what's recyclable in your town or city. However, generally, most recyclers accept plastics #1 and #2, which are PET and HDPE, respectively.
HDPE, or high-density polyethylene, is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted at most recycling centers worldwide. It can be transparent or pigmented (coloured) and is often used for detergent bottles, motor oil bottles, and household cleaner bottles.
Plastics #3 to #6 are more difficult to recycle, and some recycling centers do not process them. Plastic #7 is even more challenging to recycle and is often excluded. Plastic bags, pouches, film wrap, chip bags, Styrofoam, some tubs and clamshells, PVC pipes, and plastic toys are also usually non-recyclable and should be avoided.
