Chloe Zhang
Plastic waste is a pressing environmental concern, with only a small amount of plastic waste being recycled. Plastic recycling is cumbersome and expensive, and many plastic products are not easily recyclable due to the use of additives and colourants in their production. The most widely recycled plastic in the world is PET, which is used to make beverage bottles. However, PET bottles are often downcycled into fibre or wood replacements instead of being recycled into new bottles. Downcycling, also known as cascaded recycling or open-loop recycling, occurs when a material is remade into an item of lower quality that cannot be recycled again. Despite the challenges, incredible products can be obtained through recycling, and new technologies are being developed to improve the process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Plastic | There are seven different types of plastic used around the world. |
| Plastic Recycling Rate | In 2018, the recycling rate for plastics was 8.7% (3 million tons) in the US. |
| Plastic Generation Rate | In 2018, 35.7 million tons of plastic were generated in the US. |
| Plastic Landfill Rate | In 2018, landfills in the US received 27 million tons of plastic. |
| Plastic Combustion Rate | In 2018, 5.6 million tons of plastic were combusted in the US. |
| Most Widely Recycled Plastic | PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) |
| Other Recycled Plastics | HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) |
| Non-Recyclable Plastics | Bioplastics, composite plastic, plastic-coated wrapping paper, polycarbonate, cling film, blister packaging |
| Downcycled Plastics | PET, HDPE, Plastic Film |
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What You'll Learn
PET plastic bottles are recycled and downcycled
PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is a widely used packaging material and one of the most valuable types of plastic. It is lightweight, clear, durable, and versatile. PET plastic bottles are the most widely recycled plastic in the world, with a global recycling rate of 29.1% in 2018. In the US, the recycling rate for PET bottles and jars was 33% in 2023, the highest since 1996.
Despite these high recycling rates, many PET bottles are downcycled. Downcycling is a recycling practice that involves the reuse of materials for lower-value products. In the case of PET bottles, they are often downcycled into fiber or wood replacements instead of being recycled into new bottles. This is because the current recycling system does not distinguish between PET beverage bottles and non-food-grade plastic bottles. As non-food-grade plastic bottles contain 40% more contaminants than PET beverage bottles, the mixed recycling process necessitates a separate collecting system for PET bottles to be recycled into new bottles.
In China, over 81% of collected post-consumer PET is downcycled into fibers. This is due to the country's dominant informal recycling system, which does not have the infrastructure to separate different types of plastic bottles. To promote the high-value recycling of PET bottles, some countries have implemented Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit-Refund Systems (DRS). These systems aim to hold producers responsible for the entire life cycle of their products, including the recycling and final disposal of discarded items.
While downcycling can extend the life of a material, it breaks the recycling loop as it generally prevents an item from being recycled again. For example, a PET bottle that has been downcycled into a carpet or bench will eventually end up in a landfill or incinerator. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between recycling and downcycling and to promote the former whenever possible.
To improve the recycling of PET bottles, manufacturers, consumers, retailers, and recyclers must work together to ensure PET is selected, collected, and recycled effectively. This can be achieved through voluntary brand commitments, legislation, and systems like EPR and DRS that hold producers accountable for the environmental impact of their products.
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HDPE bottles are recycled and downcycled
HDPE, or high-density polyethylene, is one of the most common plastics, found in rigid and soft plastic forms. It is used in everyday items like milk and ice cream containers, shampoo and conditioner bottles, detergent bottles, and children's toys. As a soft plastic, HDPE is found in freezer bags, plastic bags, and other plastic food packaging. It is also used in reusable shopping bags.
HDPE is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide. Recycling companies collect HDPE products and send them to large facilities to be processed. In the US, the recycling rate for HDPE bottles was around 30% in 2018, which is comparable to the rate for PET bottles and jars. However, it is important to note that this rate includes both recycling and downcycling.
Downcycling occurs when a material is remade into an item of lower quality, which typically cannot be recycled again. While recycling closes the loop and keeps an item in circulation, downcycling turns it into a one-way arrow. For example, HDPE bottles may be downcycled into decking, garden materials, or rubbish bins. These items, once they have reached the end of their useful lives, will likely end up in a landfill or incinerator.
To recycle HDPE, consumers can separate their plastic waste according to resin type and colour. Recycling facilities will then further process the plastic, which may involve washing, grinding, and melting the material or breaking it down into monomers to form new polymers. However, it is important to note that most plastics can only be recycled or downcycled a few times, and even recycled content should be minimised in favour of reusing existing materials.
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Plastic film is hard to recycle, often downcycled
Plastic film is lightweight, flexible, and often used for packaging. It is theoretically highly recyclable, but in practice, it is hard to recycle and often ends up in landfill.
The main issue with plastic film is that it is usually made from multiple layers of different types of plastic, which are difficult to separate and break down. This means that it is not economical to recycle, and it often ends up clogging the machinery in recycling plants, causing production lines to halt.
Another issue is that plastic film is small, thin, and lightweight, so it can fly into the air and get stuck in the machinery at material recovery facilities (MRFs). This means that recyclers do not want it in their conventional curbside streams, but it often ends up there anyway. Workers then have to put themselves at risk trying to clean it out of the equipment.
Some retailers, such as Target and Walmart, now accept plastic bags, wrap, and film for recycling. However, there is controversy over whether these are actually recycled, as the materials are often contaminated with food or liquid, making them unacceptable at the point of sale.
When plastic film is recycled, it is typically downcycled to make composite lumber or other lower-value products. This process saves anywhere from 8 to 23% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to manufacturing new plastic.
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Bioplastics, composite plastic, and plastic-coated paper are non-recyclable
Bioplastics, composite plastic, and plastic-coated paper are generally non-recyclable. However, some exceptions exist, depending on the specific materials and recycling infrastructure involved.
Bioplastics are plastics made from bio-based polymers, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-based plastics. They can be manufactured using carbon-neutral energy and designed for reuse or recycling. However, their recycling capabilities depend on having access to appropriate technologies and controlled environments for biodegradation. Without the necessary infrastructure, bioplastics may not be recyclable and could even contribute to environmental pollution if improperly managed.
Composite plastic packaging, which consists of multiple bonded layers of different materials, poses a challenge for recycling. These layers often include plastics, paper, metals, or wax, and they must be separated before recycling. However, only a few specialised facilities can perform this separation, and it is often not economically viable, leading to most composite plastics ending up in landfills or incinerators.
Plastic-coated paper, such as paperboard with a PE or PET coating, can sometimes be recycled by removing the plastic layer and processing the fibres separately. However, this process is not standard, and the presence of plastic-coated paper in recycling bins can contaminate other recyclable materials. Water-soluble coatings can be advantageous as they dissolve during the paperboard manufacturing process, making the product fully recyclable.
While advancements in technology and a shift towards a circular economy are driving the development of more sustainable options, it is important to recognise that not all recycling programs accept all types of plastics. It is crucial to check with local recycling programs and manufacturers to understand their specific capabilities and ensure proper disposal and recycling practices.
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Plastic bags and films are not collected at kerbsides
In addition to retailer-sponsored programs, there are other ways to recycle plastic bags and films. Some municipalities offer subscription services through specialty recyclers for a monthly fee. Certain communities may also provide flexible films collection bins in public parking lots or community centers.
It is important to note that not all plastic bags and films are accepted through these programs, so it is essential to verify before dropping off. For example, wet or food-soiled plastic wrap and film should not be recycled as they can cause costly contamination. Plastic films are generally made using #2 and #4 plastic resins, which can be recycled. To identify if a plastic film can be recycled, look for an equilateral triangle with resin codes 2 or 4 on it.
While plastic bags and films are not collected at kerbsides, there are ongoing discussions and initiatives to improve the recycling system. For instance, the UK government has committed to collecting flexible plastic from kerbsides in England by 2027, which is expected to increase the volume of soft plastic collected and drive innovation and investment in the recycling system.
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Frequently asked questions
Downcycling, also known as cascaded recycling or open-loop recycling, is when a material is remade into an item of lower quality. These items typically cannot be recycled again, which cuts an item’s overall life cycle short.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – the lightweight resin commonly used to make beverage bottles – diminishes in quality when recycled. These bottles are often downcycled into fibre or wood replacements instead of being recycled into new bottles. Plastic film, a material notoriously difficult to recycle, can be downcycled into composite lumber and refashioned into decks, benches, and playground sets.
The most widely recycled plastic in the world is PET. The recycling rate of PET bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is accepted at most recycling centres in the world, as it is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. The recycling rate for HDPE bottles was 29.3% in 2018.
Examples of non-recyclable plastics include bioplastics, composite plastic, plastic-coated wrapping paper, and polycarbonate. Other well-known non-recyclable plastics include cling film and blister packaging.
Many items can include multiple types of plastic and different layers which are hard to separate and make recyclability difficult and costly. The many additives and colourants used in the production of plastic products can also make the recycling process difficult.
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