Chloe Zhang
Plastic is one of the most complicated materials to recycle due to the many different types that cannot be recycled together. In the US, only about 5% to 6% of plastics are recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills, oceans, and other places. While some types of plastic, such as PET and HDPE, are widely recycled, others like PVC and LDPE are more challenging to process. This poses a significant environmental challenge, especially as the US is the biggest plastic polluter globally, and calls for better recycling solutions and reduced plastic production.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastic that is recyclable in the US | 5-6% |
| Plastic with the highest recycling rate in the world | PET |
| Plastic with the highest recycling rate in the US | HDPE |
| Plastic that can be recycled into clothing | PET |
| Plastic that can be recycled into plastic bottles | PET |
| Plastic that is widely accepted at recycling centers worldwide | HDPE |
| Plastic that is not accepted by most American recycling programs | LDPE |
| Plastic that is difficult to recycle | PVC, PS, PP, Styrofoam, shrink wrap, manufacturing scrap |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic resin identification codes
The original RIC symbols consisted of arrows that cycle clockwise to form a triangle that encloses a number. The numbers 1 to 6 indicate that the plastic packaging is made from one of six specific types of plastic:
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE): commonly used for beverage bottles, cups, and other packaging. It is one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world and can be turned into products like polyester fabric, filling for cushions, and new bottles.
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE): used for bottles, cups, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, etc. It is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted at most recycling centers worldwide.
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): used for pipes, siding, flooring, and flexible household products like plastic tubing and trays. PVC products cannot be recycled.
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE): used for plastic bags, six-pack rings, tubing, grocery bags, etc.
- Polypropylene (PP): used for auto parts, industrial fibers, food containers, etc. PP products can sometimes be recycled.
- Polystyrene (PS): used for disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers, and to-go food containers. Polystyrene is challenging to recycle and is not typically collected through kerbside recycling.
The number 7 on plastic packaging indicates that it is made of a type of plastic other than the previous six, or a mixture of plastics. These plastics, often referred to as "other plastics," are not recyclable through standard collection methods and include materials like bioplastics, composite plastics, and plastic-coated paper.
It is important to note that the presence of an RIC on packaging does not guarantee recyclability. The RIC system has led to consumer confusion, with many assuming that the chasing arrows symbol indicates recyclability. However, the code only identifies the type of plastic resin used. Consumers should check with local recycling facilities to understand which types of plastic they can accept.
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Plastic recycling rates in the USA
The different types of plastic, which are indicated by a number inside a small triangle, are a significant barrier to recycling. Plastic types 1 and 2, such as clear drinking bottles, milk jugs, and shampoo bottles, are the most commonly recycled plastics and can be placed in standard recycling bins. However, other types of plastic often require specialized handling and are not accepted by local recycling plants. For example, plastic bags can get tangled in recycling equipment and are not always accepted, and Styrofoam is hard to process and is sometimes not collected by recycling companies.
Even within the categories of plastic that can be recycled, there are further complications. For example, PET or PETE, used for plastic bottles and food containers, is one of the few polymers that can be recycled into the same form, but it can also be recycled into textiles. However, despite being relatively easy to recycle, the US has a low recycling rate for PET, with only 29.1% of PET bottles and jars recycled in 2018. HDPE, used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles, is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle, but the US recycling rate for HDPE bottles is only around 30%.
The plastic industry has been criticized for misleading consumers about the recyclability of their products, with claims that they have spent millions of dollars to promote the idea that plastics are recyclable when over 90% are not. However, some states have taken measures to reduce plastic consumption, such as implementing parameters or bans on single-use plastic products. While legislative change to address plastic pollution may not be imminent, there is bipartisan support for addressing the issue, and organizations like Beyond Plastics are working to reduce single-use plastic use and production.
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Plastic recycling processes
Plastic recycling is a complex process that aims to reduce pollution and its negative impact on the environment, ecosystems, and human life. The process involves multiple steps, from collection to sorting, shredding, washing, and finally, creating new products.
The first step in plastic recycling is the collection of used plastic materials from various sources, such as homes, institutions, and public places. This step is crucial as it determines the amount of material available for recycling. It is important to separate common waste from plastic waste to facilitate the recycling process.
The next step is sorting the plastic waste by type, colour, or thickness. This step is essential as most recycling machines can only process one type of plastic at a time. In some cases, a sink float separator is used to differentiate between low-density and high-density plastics.
After sorting, the plastic is shredded into smaller pieces to prepare for the next stage of the process. Washing is a critical step in plastic recycling, as it removes impurities such as dirt, dust, and organic residue that may obstruct the recycling process. Washing ensures that the plastic is clean and free from contaminants.
Once the plastic is clean, it undergoes various recycling processes, such as mechanical recycling and chemical recycling. Mechanical recycling is the most common approach and involves transforming plastic waste into secondary raw materials or products without significantly altering the chemical structure. This process includes grinding, washing, separating, drying, re-granulating, and compounding. Chemical recycling, on the other hand, involves changing the chemical structure of plastic waste through processes like pyrolysis, gasification, hydro-cracking, and depolymerization. These processes break down the long hydrocarbon chains in plastics into shorter fractions or monomers that can be used as feedstock for new chemical reactions to create recycled plastics and other chemicals.
It is important to note that not all plastics can be recycled together due to their different chemical compositions. This challenge has led to widespread concerns about the recyclability of plastics, with claims that only a small percentage of plastics in the United States are truly recyclable.
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Plastic recycling symbols
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE/PET): This plastic is often used for soft drink bottles, water containers, fruit juice containers, and cooking oil containers. It is easily recyclable and is accepted by most curbside recycling programs.
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): This plastic is commonly used for containers such as milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and cleaning product containers. It is lightweight but durable and can be easily recycled into pipes, oil bottles, pens, and detergent bottles.
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): PVC plastic is used in bubble foils, trays for sweets and fruit, and expanded PVC foam board for commercial applications. It is rarely recycled and is not usually part of curbside recycling programs.
- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): LDPE plastic is used for shopping bags, highly-resistant sacks, and crushed bottles. This type of plastic is not usually recycled but can be converted into floor tiles and shipping envelopes.
- Polypropylene (PP): PP plastic is used in furniture, luggage, toys, and the lining and external borders of cars. It is one of the safer types of plastic and is used for ketchup bottles and medicine bottles. PP is increasingly being accepted in curbside recycling programs.
- Polystyrene (PS): Polystyrene is used in toys, hard packing, refrigerator trays, cosmetic bags, costume jewellery, CD cases, and vending cups. It is not accepted in many curbside recycling programs, but it can be recycled to make egg cartons, takeout containers, and rulers.
- Other: This category includes plastics that don't fit into the other six categories, such as acrylic plastic, polycarbonate plastic, polylactic fibers, nylon, and fiberglass. Products in this category may contain harmful substances like BPA and LEXAN, so they are not accepted in curbside recycling but may be accepted by drop-off centres or mail-in programs.
While these symbols provide information about the type of plastic, they do not always indicate whether a product is recyclable. For example, the chasing arrows symbol commonly seen on plastic products does not necessarily mean that the product is recyclable. Additionally, the recyclability of a product depends on the capabilities of local recycling facilities.
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Plastic recycling solutions
Plastic recycling is a complex process, and consumers often don't know which types of plastic can be recycled and how. In the US, only about 5% of plastic is recyclable, with the rest ending up in landfills, oceans, and other places. However, there are solutions and ongoing efforts to improve plastic recycling rates and reduce plastic pollution.
One solution is to encourage consumers to reduce their plastic consumption. This can be done by avoiding products packaged in plastic and opting for stores that offer product refills in reusable containers. Some states have also implemented bans or restrictions on single-use plastic products, such as plastic bags.
Another solution is to improve plastic recycling education and infrastructure. Consumers should be aware of the different types of plastic and their recyclability. Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle, indicating the type of plastic. Types 1 and 2 plastics, such as clear drinking bottles, milk jugs, and shampoo bottles, are the most commonly recyclable. These can be tossed into standard recycling bins. However, other types of plastic may require specialized handling or cannot be recycled at all, like PVC and PS products.
Additionally, recycling companies and local municipalities play a crucial role in plastic recycling. While some plastics, like PET and HDPE, are widely accepted at recycling centers, others, such as Styrofoam and plastic bags, are not always accepted due to processing challenges. Improving the recycling infrastructure and technology to handle a wider range of plastics can significantly impact recycling rates.
Finally, there is a need for legal reform to hold the plastics industry accountable for its environmental impact. This includes addressing the misleading recycling symbols on plastic products, which often confuse consumers about a product's recyclability.
By combining consumer education, infrastructure improvements, legal reforms, and a shift towards more sustainable alternatives, we can improve plastic recycling rates and reduce plastic pollution in the US.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic #2 is high-density polyethylene (HDPE). It is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and more.
Yes, plastic #2 can be recycled in the USA. However, it is important to check with your municipality's recycling guidelines, as some areas may not accept certain types of plastic.
Plastic #2 can be recycled into new products such as plastic lumber, tables, roadside curbs, benches, and other durable plastic products. This process is known as downcycling, where materials are reused for lower-value products.
Recycled plastic #2 is often used to create non-food application bottles, such as detergent, motor oil, and household cleaner bottles. It is also used for film packaging and products like pipe, lawn products, and non-food application bottles.
