Maya Ellison
Plastic is everywhere, and while in principle, almost all plastic can be recycled, there are a variety of barriers that can undermine this process. There are seven types of plastic, graded 1-7, with 7 being 'other' or mixed plastics. The lower the number, the more likely the plastic is to be easily recyclable. Plastics #1 and #2 are the most commonly recycled and can be tossed into standard recycling bins. These include PET or PETE (the most widely recycled plastic in the world) and HDPE, which is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. Other types of plastic are harder to recycle and may not be permitted in your bin, depending on your municipality's guidelines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic grades that can be recycled | PET/PETE, HDPE, PP, LDPE, PS |
| Plastic grades that cannot be recycled | PVC, bioplastics, composite plastic, plastic-coated wrapping paper, polycarbonate, cling film, blister packaging, plastic wrap, crisp packets, salad bags |
| Plastic grades that can sometimes be recycled | LDPE, PP, PS |
| Plastic grades that are difficult to recycle | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Plastic grades that are easy to recycle | 1, 2 |
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What You'll Learn
PET/PETE products are recyclable
Plastic is one of the most complicated materials to recycle. This is partly because consumers don't know which types can be disposed of and how. There are seven types of plastic resin codes, ranging from 1 to 7, with 7 being 'other'. The general rule of thumb is that the lower the resin code, the more likely the plastic type is to be easily recyclable.
The PET recycling process involves turning the material into flakes or pellets, which can then be spun as a yarn or melted and moulded into new products. Recycled PET resin is a valuable manufacturing feedstock that can be reprocessed and reused in bottles over and over again. Recycling instead of landfilling, then using that reprocessed PET material as a raw material for new products, greatly reduces the greenhouse gas and carbon emissions impact and requires less overall energy to produce the new product.
PET bottles can be recycled into many new products, including:
- Polar fleece clothes
- Backpacks
- Carpets
- Cups
- Take-out containers
- Food and non-food bottles
- Thermoformed packaging
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HDPE is one of the easiest plastics to recycle
Plastic is one of the most complicated materials to recycle. This is partly because consumers don't know which types can be disposed of and how. There are seven different types of plastic used around the world, and they differ in size, colour, usage, and disposal. The seven types of plastic are numbered and marked with a resin code, which indicates the type of plastic a product is made of. The lower the resin code, the more likely the plastic is to be recyclable.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. It is also one of the most commonly used materials in manufacturing today. HDPE is a cheap, heavy-duty plastic with high strength and solvent resistance. It is widely recycled and has a strong internal structure, making it safe for reuse in a variety of applications. It is also considered one of the most eco-friendly plastic alternatives as it is made using post-consumer products and can be recycled again once they are discarded. It does not contain allergens, heavy metals, or phthalates, and it does not release harmful fumes into the environment.
HDPE is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide. It is used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers, detergent bottles, construction pipes, window frames, and electric cable insulation. Once recycled, HDPE can be used to make bottles, pens, rope, toys, bike racks, furniture, picnic tables, benches, recycling bins, trash cans, and building materials such as plastic lumber, piping, and decking.
Despite the recyclability of HDPE, there are still challenges in the plastic recycling process. Plastic recycling requires specific separation and processing, and recycled plastic often needs to be mixed with virgin material to meet performance standards, limiting the market demand for recycled content. Additionally, some types of plastic are not widely collected and recycled from households, and certain plastics are challenging to recycle, such as thin bags or films that can clog recycling machinery.
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LDPE products are sometimes recyclable
LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is a type of plastic commonly used in products such as plastic bags, grocery bags, food wrappings, and containers. While LDPE is very widely used, it is not as widely recycled, which has significant environmental implications. LDPE is known as plastic type #4 and can be identified by the number '4' on the product.
The recyclability of LDPE products also depends on their level of contamination. LDPE used in agriculture, for example, may be contaminated by the items it packages and must undergo a thorough cleaning and sorting process before recycling. This adds time, energy, and financial costs to the recycling process, making it less viable for some facilities.
Despite the challenges, recycling LDPE is important for reducing waste and saving energy. Recycled LDPE can be used to create new products such as garbage cans, manufactured lumber, and new plastic bags. Additionally, LDPE recycling companies may offer competitive prices for LDPE waste, providing an incentive for businesses to recycle their LDPE waste.
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PP products are sometimes recyclable
Polypropylene (PP) is a popular choice for manufacturing due to its durability and resistance to degradation. However, PP products are not always recyclable through standard recycling bins or programmes. This is because they often contain non-compatible materials, such as PET, or they are difficult to identify with optical sorting equipment, like black takeaway containers.
PP products with few additives and no contamination from other types of plastic are straightforward to recycle. Industrial PP products, like Renegade fabrics, are widely recycled. However, many consumer products made from PP, such as yoghurt containers, are not accepted by Material Sorting Facilities (MRFs). This is due to their variety of shapes, sizes and colours, as well as the addition of non-PP materials, which contaminate the PP recycling stream.
Recycling PP products can extend their life, reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills and decreasing the need for virgin material extraction. Recycled PP can be used to create products such as plastic lumber, kitchen utensils, outdoor rugs, car seats, toys, furniture, automotive parts and more.
While PP is technically recyclable, the recyclability of a product depends on the availability of recycling infrastructure and the guidelines of local municipalities. For example, hard-to-recycle plastics, including Styrofoam, shrink wrap and manufacturing scrap, may require specialised handling that is not available in all areas.
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PS products are sometimes recyclable
Polystyrene, or PS, is a widely used plastic with a range of properties that make it useful in various industries. It has excellent insulation properties and a high melting point, making it ideal for applications that require thermal insulation, such as in packaging materials and food service items like disposable cups and plates. However, one of the main concerns with PS is its impact on the environment and the challenges associated with recycling it.
PS recycling can be complex and costly, and it is not as environmentally friendly as some other plastics due to its non-biodegradable nature. The recycling process involves collecting and processing PS waste to remove impurities and contaminants. The PS is then melted down and reformed into pellets that can be used to create new products. While recycling PS can help reduce plastic waste and conserve natural resources, it is not always accepted by local municipalities or recycling companies due to the specialised handling required for hard-to-process plastics like Styrofoam.
The recyclability of PS products depends on various factors, including the capabilities of the recycling facility and the local guidelines for waste management. Some facilities may have the technology to effectively recycle PS, while others may not. Additionally, certain municipalities might prohibit the inclusion of PS products in recycling bins, opting for alternative disposal methods for hard-to-recycle plastics.
Despite the challenges, there is a growing emphasis on improving plastic recycling methods and increasing the types of plastics being collected for recycling. This includes initiatives by organisations and governments to implement zero-waste-to-landfill policies and promote eco-friendly disposal methods. With advancements in technology and a collective effort to reduce plastic waste, the recyclability of PS products can be enhanced over time.
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Frequently asked questions
PET (or PETE) is the most widely recycled plastic in the world, and HDPE is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. Both are accepted at most recycling centres worldwide.
Plastics numbered 3 to 6 are more difficult to recycle, and some recycling centres do not process them. Plastic number 7 is even harder to recycle and is almost always excluded. Examples of non-recyclable plastics include bioplastics, composite plastic, plastic-coated wrapping paper, and polycarbonate.
PVC products cannot be recycled.
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. The number inside the triangle corresponds to a different type of plastic.
