Ethan Clarke
Plastic is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW) and is found in all major MSW categories. While recycling plastic can be a complicated and frustrating process, it is important to understand which plastics are recyclable and which are not. The Society of Plastics Industry, now known as the Plastics Industry Association, started a numbering system to identify the plastic resin content, with seven types of plastics in total. Generally, most recyclers accept plastics #1 and #2, but it is important to check with your local recycling program to see which types of plastics it accepts. For example, some facilities recycle polypropylene (number 5), commonly used in yogurt containers. Additionally, it is worth noting that some plastics, such as polystyrenes (#6 plastics), are not easy to recycle and many city recycling programs will not pick them up. On the other hand, HDPE (#2 plastic) is 100% recyclable and accepted at most recycling centers worldwide.
Plastics that are recyclable in the US
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic resins | Used in PET bottles and jars, HDPE bottles for milk and water, and other plastic containers, bags, sacks, wraps and lids |
| PET bottles | Can be recycled into new bottles, fashion items, polar fleece clothes, backpacks, carpets, and construction materials |
| HDPE | 100% recyclable and accepted at most recycling centers globally |
| Polypropylene (PP) | Recycled into plastic lumber, park benches, auto parts, and speed bumps |
| LDPE | Recycled at grocery stores into outdoor and mechanical applications |
| LLDPE | Used for food wrapping and packaging |
| PVC | Not commonly recycled but can be used for pipes, fittings, paneling, decking, automotive parts, and shoes |
| Polystyrenes | Not easy to recycle but can become outdoor furniture, roofing tiles, and coat hangers |
| Plastic #7 | Includes polycarbonates, polylactides, nylon, and biodegradable plastics |
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What You'll Learn
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most widely recycled plastic in the world
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is 100% recyclable and accepted at most centres globally
- Polypropylene (PP) is found in clothing, ropes, tubs, and bottles
- Polystyrenes are difficult to recycle and many city programs won't pick them up
- Plastic resins are used in containers, packaging, bottles, bags, sacks, wraps, and lids
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most widely recycled plastic in the world
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most commonly used plastics worldwide. It is an inexpensive, lightweight, and durable material that can be easily moulded into a variety of products. PET is most commonly used for single-use packaging materials, such as disposable consumer items and packaging. It is also used in the textile industry, where it is known as polyester.
Due to the increasing demand for plastic products and the lack of efficient and economical recycling methods, there is growing concern about plastic pollution. The proliferation of plastic products over the last several decades has resulted in a negative environmental footprint. The long-term risk of hazardous chemicals from PET waste in the environment poses a serious threat to ecosystems, food safety, and human health.
Recycling is one of the most important actions that can be taken to reduce the impact of PET waste on the environment. PET is the most widely recycled plastic in the world, and it can be recycled using various methods, including mechanical and chemical recycling. Mechanical recycling involves processing PET through a machine to break it down into smaller pieces, which can then be used to create new products. Chemical recycling, on the other hand, involves breaking down the chemical bonds in PET to create new chemicals that can be used in various applications.
One of the advantages of PET is that it can be recycled into the same product form. For example, PET bottles can be recycled into new beverage bottles. This makes PET a more valuable material for recycling than other plastics that cannot be recycled into the same form. Additionally, PET is widely accepted at recycling centres worldwide, as it is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle.
Despite being a relatively easy plastic to recycle, some countries are still struggling to reach high recycling rates for PET. While countries like India, Europe, and South Korea have recycling rates for PET higher than 50%, others, such as the US and China, are still working to improve their numbers.
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High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is 100% recyclable and accepted at most centres globally
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a widely used plastic polymer. It is popular due to its strength, flexibility, and high tensile strength. HDPE is used in the production of milk and shampoo bottles, pipes, and wheelie bins. It is also used in detergent and bleach bottles, as it is resistant to many chemicals, acids, and alcohols.
HDPE is 100% recyclable and is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. It can be recycled in all its forms, including bottles, bags, tanks, films, offcuts, and sheets. The process of recycling HDPE involves sorting, cleaning, separating, shredding, and melting. It is then cooled and formed into pellets, which are used to create new products. This process can be repeated, as HDPE can be recycled multiple times.
HDPE is accepted at most recycling centres globally, including in the UK, US, and Canada. It has a resin identification code of 2, and it is recommended to check with local authorities whether it can be included in domestic recycling bins. Some local recycling facilities may not accept certain types of plastics, so it is important to check with your local centre.
The recycling of HDPE is important to help protect the planet and reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste. Despite being a challenging process, recycling plastic is crucial to safeguard the environment.
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Polypropylene (PP) is found in clothing, ropes, tubs, and bottles
Polypropylene (PP), also known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of applications. It is the second-most widely produced commodity plastic, after polyethylene. Phillips Petroleum chemists first demonstrated the polymerization of propylene in 1951, and large-scale commercial production began in 1957.
PP is commonly used in the manufacturing of clothing, ropes, tubs, and bottles. Its fibre form is used in tote bags, ropes, twine, tape, carpets, upholstery, clothing, and camping equipment. Its waterproof properties make it ideal for the marine sector. In addition, PP is widely used in the automotive industry for parts such as battery casings, trays, bumpers, and door trims. It is also used in the medical field due to its waterproof properties, flexible strength, and resistance to mould, bacteria, and chemical corrosion.
PP is a safe and non-toxic plastic that is approved by the FDA and EPA for food containers. It does not contain bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical found in hard plastics that can leach into food when heated and cause potential health issues. However, new studies suggest that PP microplastics may be harmful to human health, although research in this area is limited.
Despite its widespread use, PP recycling is challenging and expensive. It has a low melting point, making it highly flammable and susceptible to UV degradation and oxidation. Recycled PP often ends up in industrial applications, such as plastic lumber, park benches, and auto parts.
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Polystyrenes are difficult to recycle and many city programs won't pick them up
Plastic recycling is a complex and frustrating process, and less than 10% of the seven billion tons of plastic waste generated globally has been recycled. The type of plastic, its use, condition, and how it is disposed of all play a role in determining whether or not it can be recycled. Polystyrenes, in particular, are notoriously difficult to recycle due to their inability to biodegrade, and many city recycling programs do not accept them.
Polystyrene is a versatile plastic used in packaging, insulation, appliances, toys, and electronics. It is often combined with other materials, making it challenging to separate and recycle. Additionally, polystyrene is difficult to recycle due to its light weight, which makes it costly to transport in large quantities.
The high recycling cost and limited profitability of polystyrene recycling further contribute to the challenge. The global average processing expense for polystyrene is higher than that of other plastics like HDPE, PP, LDPE, and PET. This high expense puts polystyrene recycling businesses under economic strain, as seen with the Polystyrene Loop Initiative, which faced bankruptcy in 2022.
While polystyrene can be recycled into products like outdoor furniture, roofing tiles, and coat hangers, it cannot be used for food containers due to safety concerns. The acceptance of polystyrene for recycling also varies by location, with some areas offering styrofoam recycling and others excluding it from their single-stream household curbside collection services.
To recycle polystyrene, it is essential to check with local recycling centers or refer to local policies. Some areas may provide styrofoam recycling, while others may require special arrangements for polystyrene waste. It is crucial to ensure that the polystyrene is clean and free from contaminants, as dirty containers may be rejected by recycling facilities.
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$16.89
Plastic resins are used in containers, packaging, bottles, bags, sacks, wraps, and lids
Plastic resins are used in a wide range of products, including containers, packaging, bottles, bags, sacks, wraps, and lids. The specific type of plastic resin used depends on the product's requirements, such as flexibility, toughness, and transparency.
One commonly used plastic resin is PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which is clear, tough, and has good barrier properties against gas and moisture. PET is widely recycled and is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide. It is often used in beverage bottles and injection-moulded consumer product containers. Recycled PET can be transformed into various products, including fashion items such as polar fleece clothing, backpacks, and carpets.
Another type of plastic resin is HDPE (high-density polyethylene), which is also accepted at many recycling centres globally. HDPE is used in milk and water bottles and other containers.
LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is a plastic resin used in film applications due to its toughness, flexibility, and transparency. It is also used in manufacturing flexible lids and bottles and in wire and cable applications.
PP (polypropylene) resin is known for its good chemical resistance, strength, and high melting point, making it suitable for hot-fill liquids and flexible and rigid packaging.
PS (polystyrene) is a versatile plastic resin that can be rigid or foamed. It is clear, hard, and brittle, with a relatively low melting point. PS is often combined with rubber to create high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), used for packaging and durable applications requiring toughness.
It is important to note that not all plastics are recyclable, and the recyclability of specific plastic resins varies depending on local recycling facilities and policies. Some plastics, such as polystyrenes (#6 plastics) and miscellaneous plastics (#7 plastics), are challenging to recycle and may not be accepted through standard household collection services.
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Frequently asked questions
The most widely recycled plastic in the world is PET, which is mostly found in plastic bottles. HDPE is also accepted at most recycling centres as it is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle.
Plastic is not always designed with circularity in mind and is intended to be used once and discarded. The additives and colourants used in the production of plastic products also make the recycling process difficult. Many items include multiple types of plastic and different layers that are hard to separate and make recyclability difficult and costly.
Generally, most recyclers accept plastics #1 and #2. Polypropylene (PP) is also recyclable and is found in clothing, ropes, tubs, and bottles.
Polystyrenes are notoriously difficult to recycle and many city recycling programs will not pick up or process #6 plastics. Plastic #7, often labelled as "Other", encapsulates all the miscellaneous plastics that don't fit into the previous six categories, including polycarbonates, polylactides, and nylon.
