Maya Ellison
Plastic recycling is the process of converting plastic waste into other products. It is a critical part of building a more sustainable world, as it helps reduce landfill waste, conserve resources, and protect the environment from plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the reality is that most plastic items collected for recycling are not actually recycled and often end up in landfills or are incinerated. Despite the challenges, recycling plays a crucial role in protecting our planet, and organizations like the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) provide guidelines, technical expertise, and innovations to improve plastic recyclability and drive the circular economy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic recycling rate | 9% of all plastic waste has been recycled as of 2015 |
| Plastic recycling methods | Mechanical recycling, feedstock recycling, burning in place of fossil fuels, biochemical conversion |
| Plastic recycling challenges | Sorting plastic by colour and polymer type is complicated and expensive, degradation at the molecular level, microplastic release |
| Plastic waste disposal methods | Landfills, incineration, recycling |
| Plastic waste export | In 2016, about 14 Mt of plastic waste was exported, with China taking 7.35 Mt. High-income countries such as the US, Germany, Japan, and the UK were the top exporters |
| Plastic waste generation | From the start of plastic production until 2015, the world produced around 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste |
| Plastic recycling organisations | Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), Republic Services |
| Plastic types that can be recycled | Polyethylene terephthalate (#1), high-density polyethylene (#2), polypropylene (#5) |
| Plastic types to avoid reusing | PET, PVC, polystyrene |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic recycling rates and methods
Plastic recycling is the process of converting plastic waste into other products. It is an essential step in reducing plastic pollution, protecting the environment, and conserving resources. However, the recycling rates for plastic lag behind those of other materials, such as aluminium, glass, and paper. From the beginning of plastic production up to 2015, approximately 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste was generated globally, with only 9% recycled and a mere 1% recycled more than once. The low recycling rates are attributed to various factors, including the economic feasibility of recycling, technical challenges, and the complex and expensive nature of the recycling process.
The recycling process typically involves mechanical recycling, where plastic is melted and reformed into new items. This method can lead to polymer degradation at the molecular level and requires meticulous sorting of plastic by colour and polymer type, which can be challenging and costly. Feedstock recycling is another method, where plastic waste is converted into its original chemicals, allowing the creation of fresh plastic. This technique, however, demands higher energy and capital investments.
Burning plastic in energy recovery facilities is another disposal method, but it releases toxic chemicals and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Some countries, particularly those with landfill diversion policies, predominantly use burning as a disposal method. While it reduces landfill waste, it poses significant health and environmental risks.
The plastic waste trade is another critical aspect of recycling. High-income countries, such as the United States, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom, have been major exporters of plastic waste. China was once a significant importer, but in 2017, it restricted waste plastic imports, leading to a shift towards other countries, primarily in Southeast Asia.
Despite recycling efforts, a significant amount of plastic waste ends up in landfills, contributing to environmental degradation. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the plastic recycling rate in the United States was 8.7% in 2018, and an NGO report indicated a drop to around 5% in 2021. The UK, in comparison, recycles about 17% of its annual plastic waste. These statistics highlight the need for improved recycling rates and more effective solutions to combat plastic pollution.
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The global plastic waste trade
In 2019, 187 nations signed the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, an international treaty aimed at addressing gaps in plastic waste disposal and restricting participating nations from trading plastic scraps internationally unless they lack sufficient recycling or disposal capacity. Despite this, the global trade in plastic waste continues, with Europe exporting nearly 80% of the world's traded plastic waste, primarily within the region, and Asia's largest plastic exports coming from Japan, traded with other Asian countries.
The plastic waste trade has been associated with organised crime, human rights violations, and environmental destruction, with millions of tonnes of waste dumped in countries ill-equipped to manage it properly. This has resulted in illegal open burning and dumping of plastics, causing major health risks and environmental degradation for surrounding communities. The issue is further compounded by the practice of greenwashing, where governments count items as recycled if they have been exported, regardless of the actual outcome, leading to environmental dumping in weaker economies.
While recycling is a critical part of building a more sustainable world, the global plastic waste trade highlights the need for comprehensive solutions that address the entire system, including reduction and reuse. This includes initiatives such as the #BreakFreeFromPlastic movement, which urges the European Union to ban plastic waste exports to both non-OECD and OECD countries, and the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP), which brings together governments, businesses, and civil society to combat plastic pollution and advance a circular economy.
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Plastic recycling organisations and standards
Plastic recycling is the process of converting plastic waste into other products. It is an essential step in reducing our dependence on landfills, conserving resources, and protecting the environment from plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the recycling rates for plastic lag behind those of other materials such as aluminium, glass, and paper. The complexity and cost of sorting plastic waste by colour and polymer type, as well as the challenge of inconsistent feedstock properties, hinder the recycling process.
The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) is a prominent organisation in the field of plastic recycling. They provide design guidance, recognition, recycled content certification, and policy education to companies across the plastics recycling value chain. The APR Design® Guide, developed by APR, is a globally recognised standard for recyclable plastic packaging. It offers extensive design guidance and testing protocols to ensure that packaging is compatible with the recycling process. The guide helps companies minimise contamination, reduce costs, and improve productivity in the recycling value chain.
Another important aspect of plastic recycling is the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies and regulations. EPR laws increase producers' liability for the entire life cycle of their products, including generation, marketing, and disposal. These laws encourage producers to design products with recyclability in mind and facilitate the coordination of domestic and international policies to overcome critical recycling challenges. Countries with established EPR regulations and landfill bans tend to have higher recycling rates.
In addition to organisations like APR, governments also play a significant role in plastic recycling. However, some governments have been criticised for their practices. Many governments count items as recycled if they have been exported for recycling, regardless of the actual outcome. This practice, known as "environmental dumping," involves exporting plastic waste to countries with weaker environmental laws and enforcement, often from the Global North to the Global South. China was a major importer of plastic waste until 2017 when it began restricting waste plastics imports. As a result, exporters turned to other countries, mainly in Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam and Malaysia, and also Turkey and India.
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Plastic recycling plants and centres
Plastic recycling is the process of converting plastic waste into other products. It is an essential step in reducing our dependence on landfills, conserving resources, and protecting the environment from plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the recycling rates for plastic lag behind those of other materials such as aluminium, glass, and paper. The plastic recycling process often involves melting and reforming plastic into new items, which can cause polymer degradation and requires complex and expensive sorting processes.
One prominent organisation in the plastic recycling industry is the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR). APR provides design guidance, recognition, recycled content certification, policy education, and advocacy to companies across the plastic recycling value chain. They have set the global standard for recyclable plastic packaging and play a crucial role in driving innovation and a circular economy. Their Design for Recyclability Training Program helps companies design more sustainable packaging and achieve their environmental goals.
Another key player in plastic recycling is Jayplas, a company with eight sites across the UK that offers a comprehensive plastic recycling process. Jayplas collects, sorts, and reprocesses plastic packaging into pellets, which are then used to manufacture flexible plastic packaging products with up to 100% recycled content. They also provide collection, sorting, and recycling services to help businesses meet their sustainability targets and comply with regulations. Jayplas is committed to investing in recycling infrastructure and promoting the use of recycled plastic within the plastic packaging supply chain.
In addition to these dedicated recycling companies, many governments and municipalities also play a role in plastic recycling. They often provide recycling bins, collection services, and waste-sorting facilities to facilitate the recycling process. However, it is important to note that not all plastic placed in recycling bins is actually recycled, and some of it may end up in landfills or be shipped overseas, contributing to environmental dumping.
To address the challenges of plastic recycling, innovative solutions are being developed. A world-first facility has been established, introducing a revolutionary method to break down 'unrecyclable' plastic waste. This technology has the potential to significantly impact the pollution crisis caused by plastic waste.
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Plastic types and their recyclability
Plastic recycling is the processing of plastic waste into other products. It can help reduce dependence on landfills, conserve resources, and protect the environment from plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the recycling rates for plastic lag behind those of other materials such as aluminium, glass, and paper.
There are seven standard classifications for plastics, and each type has varying degrees of recyclability. The Society of Plastics Industry, now known as the Plastics Industry Association, uses a number system to identify the plastic resin content, indicated by a number inside a triangle on the plastic item.
Plastics numbered 1 and 2 are generally accepted by most recyclers and are the most commonly recycled types. These include Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) or PETE, which is used for water bottles, soda bottles, and other food containers, and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which is used for milk jugs, detergent containers, and shampoo bottles.
Plastics numbered 3 to 6 are more difficult to recycle, and acceptance by recycling centers varies. Plastic #3, or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), is not typically recyclable in normal collections and should be avoided for reuse, especially with food or children's products, due to the toxins they contain. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), or plastic #4, is used for plastic bags, grocery bags, and bread bags, and while technically recyclable, it is often not accepted by recyclers due to the risk of tangling in machinery and low financial incentive. Polypropylene (PP), or plastic #5, is a commonly used packaging material, but only a small percentage is recycled, with most ending up in landfills due to the challenges and costs of recycling it.
Plastic #7 is the most challenging type to recycle and is usually excluded. These plastics often consist of multiple plastic types or other hard-to-recycle materials, such as Styrofoam.
Despite the varying recyclability of different plastic types, it's important to note that almost all plastic can be recycled in principle. However, economic, environmental, and technical barriers can hinder the process. Additionally, the presence of multiple types of plastic or different layers within an item can make separation difficult and costly.
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Frequently asked questions
After collection, plastics are sent to waste-sorting facilities, where they are sorted by type and baled. They are then transported to their next destination.
Mechanical recycling involves melting and reforming plastic into new items. Feedstock recycling converts waste plastic into its starting chemicals, which can then be used to create fresh plastic. Plastic can also be burned in energy recovery facilities or converted into other chemicals.
Plastic recycling can be expensive and complicated, requiring advanced technology and infrastructure. Sorting plastic by colour and type is a complex and costly process, and even the most efficient filtration systems cannot prevent the release of microplastics.
High-income countries such as Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States are top exporters of plastic waste. China was also a major importer of plastic waste for recycling until it began restricting imports in 2017.
While recycling is important, reduction and reuse are more favourable long-term solutions for sustainability. Individuals can reduce their plastic consumption by choosing alternatives such as glass or metal packaging. Reusable containers can also help decrease the need for single-use plastics.
