Maya Ellison
Plastic is one of the most complicated materials to recycle, and only about 9% of plastic waste is recycled. However, some plastics are more recyclable than others. The most widely recycled plastic globally is PET, which is used for soda bottles, water bottles, and other food packaging. This plastic is recycled into fashion items, such as polar fleece clothes, backpacks, and carpets. Another easily recyclable plastic is HDPE, which is used for milk bottles, shampoo bottles, and cleaning product containers. Other plastics, such as PVC, are not commonly recycled. The general rule of thumb is that plastics with lower resin codes are more likely to be easily recyclable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most widely recycled plastic | PET |
| PET recycling rate in the US | 31% |
| PET recycling rate in Europe | 52% |
| Second most widely recycled plastic | HDPE |
| HDPE recycling rate in the US | 30% |
| Plastic with the lowest recycling rate | PVC |
| Hard-to-recycle plastics | Styrofoam, shrink wrap, manufacturing scrap, crisp packets, salad bags, plastic wrap |
| Plastic resin codes | 1 to 7, with 7 being 'other' |
| Plastic recycling rate in 2018 | 8.7% |
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What You'll Learn
PET/PETE is the most recycled plastic globally
PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is the most widely recycled plastic globally. It is a clear, durable, lightweight, and versatile plastic that can be easily moulded into various products, making it a popular choice for many industries. PET is commonly used in plastic packaging, particularly bottles and trays, and is valued for its low weight and high mechanical strength.
Despite being relatively easy to recycle, some countries struggle to achieve high recycling rates for PET. As of 2011, the global collection rate for PET was approximately 7.5 million tons, with India, Europe, and South Korea achieving rates above 50%. However, countries like the US and China have lower recycling rates. PET can be recycled into fashion items, such as polar fleece clothing, backpacks, and carpets, or even new bottles, reducing the need for new plastic and its environmental impact.
The recycling process for PET involves transforming it into flakes, which can then be spun into yarn. This process helps reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to using new plastic. However, current recycling methods for PET can be costly, and the mechanical recycling process may lead to lower-quality products.
While PET is the most recycled plastic, it is important to note that plastic recycling rates overall are still low. Only about 9% of plastic waste is recycled globally, according to 2018 data. Reducing plastic consumption and improving recycling technologies are crucial steps in addressing the environmental impact of plastic waste.
Additionally, while almost all plastic can be recycled in principle, various barriers exist in practice, such as the difficulty of separating and recycling multi-layered plastic items. Nevertheless, with collective effort and improved recycling technologies, we can make significant progress in reducing plastic waste and its negative impact on the environment.
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HDPE is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle
While almost all plastic can theoretically be recycled, in practice, this is not always feasible due to various environmental, economic, and technical barriers. For instance, items that contain multiple types of plastic or different layers can be challenging and costly to separate.
One of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle is High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is accepted at most recycling centers worldwide and can be recycled in all its forms, including bottles, bags, tanks, film, offcuts, and sheets. It is a popular plastic type due to its strength, flexibility, and high tensile strength.
The process of recycling HDPE involves sorting, cleaning, and separating the material from other polymers and items. HDPE is then shredded, melted down, and cooled to form pellets, which can be used to manufacture new products.
HDPE is often recycled into items such as bottles, pens, plastic lumber, picnic tables, toys, piping, decking, bike racks, plastic fencing, benches, furniture, recycling bins, and trash cans. Recycling HDPE is beneficial as it helps protect the planet, saves money on plastic disposal, and improves a company's bottom line by reducing production costs.
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LDPE is a thinner, more flexible plastic commonly used for wrapping and packaging
LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is a type of plastic that is commonly used for wrapping and packaging due to its flexibility and durability. It is also moisture-resistant and offers superior protection for products at a low cost. LDPE is identified by the number 4 recycling symbol and is known for being thinner and more flexible than other plastics.
LDPE is widely used in packaging and consumer products, such as plastic bags, shrink wrap, squeeze bottles, food storage containers, bubble wrap, six-pack rings, and trash cans. It is also used in industrial applications such as agricultural films and wire insulation due to its toughness and chemical resistance. LDPE is a popular material for food and beverage storage containers because of its low toxicity.
While LDPE is recyclable, the process may vary depending on the specific type of polyethylene. The recycling process for LDPE typically involves collecting, sorting, and cleaning the plastic waste to remove any impurities. The clean plastic is then shredded into small pieces or melted down to form pellets, which can be used to create new products. These pellets are often blended with virgin LDPE to improve their strength and reliability.
Recycling LDPE has several environmental and economic benefits. It helps conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease the amount of waste in landfills. Additionally, recycled LDPE is less expensive than virgin LDPE, making it a cost-effective option for manufacturers. However, it is important to note that flexible products made from LDPE can be more challenging to recycle due to potential contamination from the packaged items.
To increase the recycling rate of LDPE, consumers should properly dispose of their plastic waste by separating it from other types of waste and ensuring it is clean. Purchasing products made from recycled LDPE and participating in local recycling programs can also support the recycling of this plastic type. While LDPE may not be the most popular plastic for household supplies, it is still prevalent in homes, especially in the form of carrier bags and cling film. By effectively recycling LDPE, we can reduce its environmental impact and promote the reuse of this versatile material.
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PP products can sometimes be recycled
While in theory, all plastic can be recycled, in practice, this is not always the case. PP, or polypropylene, is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide range of applications, from bottle caps and straws to industrial fabrics and automotive parts. It is also used for consumer products such as yogurt containers and takeout containers.
To recycle PP products properly, they must be collected, sorted, shredded, separated by color, and then compounded. This multi-step process requires specialized machinery and coordination with polypropylene recyclers to ensure the quality of the recycled resin. The recyclers may also pre-wash the PP products to remove dirt and other contaminants that can reduce the value of the recycled material.
While PP recycling has its challenges, it offers significant environmental benefits. Recycling PP can reduce plastic pollution, decrease the need for virgin material extraction, lower associated greenhouse gas emissions, protect biodiversity, and have positive economic and social impacts. Additionally, recycled PP can be used to create various new products, including fibers for clothing, industrial materials, kitchenware, automotive parts, and packaging containers.
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PS products can sometimes be recycled
While in theory, almost all plastics can be recycled, in practice, various barriers can make this difficult. For instance, items made from multiple types of plastic with different layers are hard to separate and make recyclability costly.
Polystyrene (PS) products, such as disposable plates, cups, meat trays, egg cartons, carryout containers, aspirin bottles, and CD cases, can sometimes be recycled. However, not many curbside recycling programs accept PS in the form of rigid plastics, and Styrofoam products—which are made from PS—are not always accepted by recycling companies as they are difficult to process.
PS products are often stamped with a 7 and are made from multiple plastic types or other types of plastic that are hard to recycle. While some PS products can be recycled, it is important to check with your local municipality to ensure they are accepted in your recycling bin.
Recycling symbols on plastic products, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), can help consumers identify which products can be recycled and how. PET is the most widely recycled plastic globally and is easy to recycle, but its recycling rates remain relatively low, around 20%. PET is used for single-use beverage bottles and other food containers because it is inexpensive, lightweight, and recyclable. It is also safe for recycling as it does not easily degrade or trap decomposition products that can leach out.
Other plastics that are widely accepted at recycling centers and are easy to recycle include HDPE (high-density polyethylene). HDPE is used for detergent bottles, motor oil containers, household cleaners, and film packaging. It is also downcycled into plastic lumber, tables, roadside curbs, benches, and other durable plastic products.
Despite the challenges of recycling certain plastics, it is important to continue recycling efforts and to reduce plastic consumption whenever possible.
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Frequently asked questions
The most widely recycled plastic in the world is PET, which is accepted at most recycling centres. It is also one of the easiest plastics to recycle. In fact, according to PETRA, the PET Resin Association, approximately 31% of PET in the United States is recycled, compared with a 52% recycling rate in Europe.
HDPE is another plastic that is accepted at most recycling centres and is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle.
Plastics with the number 6 and 7 are never recycled.
PET is used for soda bottles, water bottles, cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars, and other types of food packaging. HDPE is used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers, and detergent bottles.
PP and PS products can sometimes be recycled. However, they require specialized handling and are not always accepted by recycling companies.
