Chloe Zhang
Recycling is a critical part of building a more sustainable world. While recycling is not the only solution to the environmental challenge posed by plastic waste, it is an important one. The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) is a prominent organization in this regard, providing technical standards and expertise for what is and isn't recyclable. They work with companies to improve plastic recycling and create solutions to strengthen recycling systems. TerraCycle is another innovative company that offers free recycling programs to recycle hard-to-recycle materials, including hard plastics, from popular brands. They also provide turnkey solutions for organizations of all sizes to recycle a variety of items, such as coffee capsules and PPE. Additionally, they have developed Loop, a reuse platform that enables partners to redesign disposable packaging into durable, reusable alternatives. Other organizations like Ridwell and RecycleSmart also contribute to the effort by providing convenient collection services and finding suitable recycling or reuse solutions for various items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Organizations that recycle hard plastics | TerraCycle, Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), Plastic Action Centre, How2Recycle, Ridwell, RecycleSmart |
| Services offered | Custom supply chains for unique recycled materials, turnkey solutions for organizations, bulk solutions for offices and facilities, free recycling programs for schools, collection services for households, doorstep pickups |
| Types of plastic accepted | Polyethylene-based plastics (HDPE and LDPE), soft plastics, plastic film, plastic bags and wraps |
| Impact | Keeping billions of pounds of plastic out of oceans and landfills, providing thousands of jobs, promoting the use of recycled materials over virgin plastic |
| Other initiatives | Design guidance and recognition, recycled content certification, policy education and advocacy, marketing opportunities, awards and recognition for sustainable packaging innovations |
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What You'll Learn
Companies that recycle hard plastics
Plastic recycling is a crucial process that transforms waste plastic materials into new products or raw materials. It involves the collection, sorting, cleaning, and processing of plastic waste to produce recycled plastic resin, which can be used in manufacturing. This process helps to reduce the consumption of petroleum, conserve energy, and minimize the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or oceans, thereby improving the environment and bettering waste management solutions. However, it is important to note that only about one-tenth of the plastics ever produced have been recycled once, and only 1% have been recycled twice. This is due to various economical, environmental, and technical challenges, as well as the high cost of collecting, recycling, and reusing plastic compared to producing new plastic products.
Despite these challenges, several companies are actively contributing to the recycling of hard plastics. Here are some notable examples:
TerraCycle
TerraCycle is a waste management company that operates in over 20 countries and engages over 200 million people annually. They offer free and paid recycling programs to recycle hard-to-recycle trash from popular brands. They develop custom supply chains to collect and process unique recycled materials, such as beach plastic and festival waste, for integration into their partners' primary packaging. They also have a reuse platform called Loop, which enables their partners to rethink and design disposable packaging into durable, reusable alternatives.
AMP Robotics
AMP Robotics creates robotic systems that sort recyclable materials using AI and automation. Their proprietary AI platform, AMP Neuron, identifies and classifies different types of recyclables from mixed material streams, including small objects like bottle caps. The platform then guides robotic arms, called AMP Cortex, to sort the recyclables into bins at high speed and accuracy. AMP Robotics also generates data and insights on the composition, quality, and value of the recyclables.
B&B Plastics Recycling Inc.
B&B Plastics Recycling Inc. is a North America-based plastic recycling company with a presence in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. They have five plastic recycling facilities and can recycle 112.5 kilotons of plastics annually. The company delivers commodity-grade and engineering-grade plastic products, including PVC resins, HDPE, PC, and LDPE, to end-user customers.
SUEZ SA
SUEZ SA is a company headquartered in France, operating in waste management, energy services, and water management across five continents. They have nine specialist facilities globally and process nearly 400,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually. SUEZ SA recycles Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) plastic, converting plastic packaging waste into high-quality post-consumer recycled plastics.
Empower
Empower provides a digital platform for plastic waste management and recycling, utilizing technologies like blockchain, smart contracts, digital tokens, AI, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. Their platform enables transparent and traceable plastic waste collection and processing, and their technology has been used in over 40 countries to collect and track over 450,000 tons of materials.
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The process of recycling hard plastics
Recycling hard plastics is a complex process that is essential for reducing pollution and preserving resources. The process can be broken down into several key steps, each of which is important to ensure that the plastics are properly recycled and can be used to create new products.
The first step in the recycling process is collection. This involves individuals placing their used hard plastics into recycling bins, whether they are curbside bins, public recycling bins, or community recycling centers. This step is crucial as it determines the amount of material available for recycling.
Once collected, the hard plastics must be sorted. Sorting is a critical step as most recycling machines can only process one type of plastic at a time. The plastics are typically sorted by color or thickness, either by machine or by hand in smaller communities. After sorting, the hard plastics are baled into compressed rectangular blocks and sold to recyclers.
The recyclers then further process the hard plastics. This involves shredding or crushing the plastics into smaller pieces, known as flake or regrind. These small pieces are then washed and dried to remove any surface dirt, adhesives, and thin layers of other materials.
The washed and dried flake is then separated according to density, as some plastics float while others sink. This step helps to separate different types of plastics, such as HDPE and PET. The separated flake is then rinsed and air-dried again.
If the recycled hard plastic is intended for food-contact packaging, it undergoes a decontamination process using vacuum and heat under low oxygen levels to meet food safety standards. The flake is then melted and filtered to remove any remaining solids, and finally processed into pellets.
These pellets can then be used as raw material for creating new products, completing the recycling process and giving hard plastics a second life. The process of recycling hard plastics is intricate and involves many steps, but it is crucial for reducing waste, protecting the environment, and promoting sustainability.
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Innovations in hard plastic recycling
Plastic recycling is critical to improving the environment and bettering waste management solutions. It involves converting waste plastic materials into reusable products, reducing the dependence on virgin plastic production. While simple methods such as reusing plastic containers and melting plastic waste to create new products were prevalent in the early days, advancements in technology have led to significant improvements.
One promising innovation in hard plastic recycling is chemical recycling, which can break down plastic waste into its molecular components. This process has the potential to transform a broader range of plastic waste, including mixed plastics and contaminated materials, into high-quality recycled materials. Technologies like depolymerisation, pyrolysis, and gasification are gaining traction in chemical recycling. Depolymerisation breaks down plastic polymers into monomer units, which can then be used to produce new plastic products. Pyrolysis and gasification involve heating plastics without oxygen, converting them into fuel or feedstock for various industries.
Another innovative method is solvent-based recycling, which dissolves plastic waste in suitable solvents to extract valuable components. This enables the recovery of high-quality polymers and additives from complex plastic mixtures. Hydrothermal processing involves treating plastic waste with hot pressurised water or steam, converting it into useful chemicals and reducing the environmental impact of disposal.
Upcycling and downcycling are also important innovations in the circular economy, extending the lifespan of plastic materials. Upcycling transforms plastic waste into products of higher value or quality, such as using plastic bottles to create innovative furniture or fashion accessories. Downcycling, on the other hand, converts plastic waste into lower-value products, like plastic lumber or fibre.
Additionally, 3D printing technology has opened up exciting possibilities for transforming plastic waste into functional and aesthetic objects. By using plastic filament made from recycled plastics, 3D printing enables customisable and sustainable designs, reducing the demand for new raw materials.
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Hard plastics that are unrecyclable
Plastic waste is a key concern for environmentalists, governments, and organizations, as the vast majority of plastics are disposed of in non-environmentally friendly ways. Recycling plastic is critical to improving the environment and bettering waste management solutions. While many commonly used plastics can be recycled in theory, only about one-tenth of all the plastics that have ever been produced have been recycled once, and only about 1% have been recycled twice.
There are many reasons why a plastic item may not be recycled, including economical, environmental, and technical factors, as well as the way the plastic was made. For example, thin bags or films run the risk of clogging recycling machinery if not separated properly, so they are often not accepted by kerbside recycling programs. Similarly, coloured plastics are less likely to be recycled as a stray coloured plastic item can ruin an entire batch of white plastic.
Some other hard plastics that are unrecyclable include crisp packets, salad bags, plastic wrap, plastic tampon applicators, plastic-coated wrapping paper, and polycarbonate. Bread bag clips, single-use condiment pouches, and pill packaging are often too small and fall between the belts and gears of recycling machinery, so they are treated as trash. Flexible packaging, such as chip bags, is made from layers of different types of plastic and is often lined with aluminum, making it difficult to separate the layers and capture the desired resin.
Bioplastics, composite plastic, and blister packaging are also examples of non-recyclable plastics. Additionally, plastics numbered 6 and 7 are never recycled.
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How to recycle hard plastics at home
Recycling hard plastics is a great way to help reduce plastic waste. Here is a guide on how to recycle hard plastics at home:
First, it is important to identify the type of hard plastics you want to recycle. Hard plastics, also known as rigid plastics, are commonly found in manufacturing industries and everyday life. Examples include plastic chairs, toy parts, baskets, trash cans, pipes, bottles, and bottle caps.
Once you have identified the type of hard plastic you want to recycle, the next step is to check with your local recycling program to see if they accept these items for recycling. Local authorities, states, and countries have different rules and regulations for recycling. Some materials may be accepted in one area but not in another. It is important to familiarize yourself with the specific guidelines provided by your local recycling program.
If your local program does not accept hard plastics, there are still other options available. Some retail stores, grocery stores, and supermarkets offer specialist recycling collection for hard-to-recycle plastics. You can check with your regular outlet to see if they provide such services. Additionally, some organizations like TerraCycle offer free recycling programs to recycle hard-to-recycle trash from popular brands.
When preparing hard plastics for recycling, ensure that they are clean and free from food residue. Containers contaminated with food cannot be recycled. Rinsing or scraping off any food residue is usually sufficient to make them recyclable.
Lastly, if you are unable to recycle hard plastics through existing programs, you can advocate for improved recycling infrastructure. Writing to or speaking with political representatives is a direct way to push for more public recycling bins or collection points for specialist recycling. Additionally, you can volunteer for local clean-up initiatives or join campaigns, such as Clean4Change, to tackle plastic waste and protect the environment.
By following these steps, you can effectively recycle hard plastics at home and contribute to reducing plastic waste and building a more sustainable world.
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Frequently asked questions
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) are examples of hard plastics.
There are several organizations that recycle hard plastics, including TerraCycle, the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), and Ridwell.
TerraCycle is a waste management company that offers free and paid recycling solutions for hard-to-recycle trash, including hard plastics. They operate in over 20 countries and engage over 200 million people annually.
The APR is an organization that provides guidance and expertise on plastic recyclability. They work with companies to create sustainable packaging solutions and recognize innovations in plastic recyclability.
Ridwell provides bags for recycling plastic film and other items. They offer collection services, picking up recyclables from your front door and working with vetted partners to ensure your items are recycled or reused.
