The Complete Guide to Plastic Recycling

 

Approximately 250 pounds of plastic waste are disposed of per year by the average American. Rather than being recycled or downcycled, most of this waste ends up in landfills. Recycling your plastics is a step in the right direction, even if you cannot lead a zero-waste lifestyle.

Having trouble figuring out what goes in this blue bin? There's probably a reason for that, since it's always changing.

Market conditions and city government policies determine what can be recycled. Recycling companies and recyclers will pay you for recycling these materials if they are in demand. Further, companies have the opportunity to recycle legally-mandated products due to government regulations, but each municipality has different regulations.

The market for all plastics is not the same. The first step to understanding which plastics can be recycled is to understand what the different types of plastic

Plastic recycling numbers

The bottom of most plastic items is marked with a triangle-shaped number. Material type and disposal instructions are indicated here.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)

The most common plastic type is polyethylene terephthalat.

As the most common thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family, polyethylene terephthalate is referred to as PET, PETE, or the obsolete PETP or PET-P. For clothing, containers for liquids and foods, thermoforming, and engineering resins, it can be combined with glass fibre.

This clear plastic is usually found in:

• Bottles of water

• Beverage bottles

• Packaging for food

The majority of curbside recycling programs accept PET. Plastic bottles, pallet straps, carpet fibers, and clothing fibers can be created using recycled polyethylene terephthalate.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) may look similar to PET, but its density makes it more difficult to recycle.

The high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene high-density (PEHD) polymers are produced from the monomer ethylene. In the case of HDPE pipes, it is sometimes referred to as "alkathene" or "polythene". HDPE is commonly used for plastic bottles, corrosion-resistant piping, geomembranes, and plastic lumber. Recyclable HDPE has the resin identification code "2" and is commonly recycled.

The following are common uses of HDPE:

• Jugs of milk

• Bottles for personal care

• Garbage bags

• Containers for food

• Liners for cereal boxes

• Plastic pallets

• IBC Totes

HDPE plastics are usually accepted by curbside recycling programs. It is possible to reuse them as detergent bottles, floor tiles, plumbing pipes, or fences.

Polyvinyl chloride or vinyl

Are you familiar with PVC pipes? Polyvinyl chloride is used to make these.

PVC is used in:

• Pipes

• Bottles of cleaning products

• Cooking oil bottles

• Packaging for food that is clear

• Equipment for medical use

There is a limited amount of recycling available for this type of plastic. In addition to decks, panels, flooring, cables, speed bumps, and mats, it may be accepted by manufacturers of plastic lumber.

Low-density polyethylene

Despite having a lower density than PETE or HDPE, this type of plastic is more difficult to recycle. Despite its softness and pliability, this material is prone to breaking down recycling machines.

Plastics made from low-density polyethylene, or LDPE, include:

• Bags for grocery shopping

• The bags used for dry cleaning

• Bottles with squeezable caps

• Tote bags

• Textiles

• Home furnishings

• Floor coverings

There are some stores that will recycle their LDPE shopping bags, but curbside recycling does not usually include this type of plastic. Recycling companies that accept it can turn it into trash can liners, compost bins, shipping envelopes, and landscaping materials.

Polypropylene (PP)

Are you unsure if you should leave the lid on your water bottle? A recycling program's acceptance of polypropylene will determine whether it can be recycled.

PP is most often found in:

• Bottles of ketchup

• Disposable yogurt containers

• Caps for drinks

• Caps for beverages

• Drinking straws

• Bottles for medicines

Polypropylene is accepted by some curbside recycling programs. Among the things they can make with it are streetlights, battery cables, brooms, rakes, ice scrapers, bicycle racks, and bins.

Polystyrene

As a strong plastic, polystyrene can be difficult to recycle without the right equipment.

Polystyrene can be found in:

• Dinnerware that can be thrown away

• Trays for meat

• Carton of eggs

• Bags and containers for carryout

• Foam styrofoam

• Bottles for medicines

Polystyrene and PS may be accepted by your curbside recycling program. In this case, the material can be repurposed as insulation, a light switch plate, an egg carton, a ruler, foam packing, or carry-out containers.

Other Plastics

Other types of plastic are included in this category. It is not possible to recycle type O plastics through curbside recycling programs. There is one exception to this rule, and that is biodegradable plastic, known as PLA. It cannot be recycled, but it can be composted.

Recycling plastics: how to prepare them

It is possible to make a big difference by recycling plastic properly. You can use the following checklist to determine whether an item can be recycled and find resources to help you do so.

Locate the plastic number

The type of plastic the item is made of can be determined by looking at the number on the bottom. A How2Recycle label may also provide more detailed recycling instructions.

Find out what your local recycler accepts

Consult your curbside service's website for a list of recyclables they accept. Google "City name" + curbside recycling requirements to find out what is required.

Make sure the items are clean

Make sure the item is free of dirt or food remnants. By doing this, you will prevent bugs from attracting to the recycling bin and facilitate the recycling process.

Make sure all non-recyclable items are separated

Different types of plastic may be present in your items. Plastic type 1 can be used to create a water bottle, but plastic type 6 for the lid, and paper for the label.

Ensure that you separate them from the main product if your recycler doesn't accept one of these. It is impossible to recycle them if they cannot be separated.

Recycle it!

Your recycler will collect it on the designated recycling day if you place it in the blue bin.

Items that are commonly confused

Used Plastic bags

Types 2 and 4 plastic bags are the most common. There are issues associated with these types of plastics. Recyclable bags are frequently wrapped around equipment and prone to blowing off recycling trucks and piles.

Plastic bags can be recycled at donation centers that specialize in bag recycling. Make sure other recyclable materials are weighed down if you decide to recycle them.

Bottle caps

The cap of a bottle is usually made from type 5 plastic. Due to its different melting temperature, this plastic causes problems in plastic bottles (type 1). A recycling plant's pressurized process can also lead to caps flying off, causing workers to sustain injuries.

Since these factors exist, it has traditionally been advised that bottle caps should be removed when recycling bottles. On the conveyer belt, removing them completely makes them difficult to see.

Today, technologies have advanced and recyclers advise to keep the bottle caps on so that they can be found and sorted properly.

Styrofoam

In terms of plastics, Styrofoam is a number 6. Due to its limited resale market, most recyclers do not accept styrofoam. It is important to ensure that the plastic is properly cleaned when it is disposed of at your recycler if it accepts this plastic. When styrofoam is placed in a landfill, it attracts dirt and food remnants and then decomposes for 500 years.

Upcycling styrofoam at home by reusing it is the most sustainable option.

Coffee cups

Polypropylene film and paper are used to make coffee cups. As well as preventing liquid from dripping out of the cup, type 1 plastic regulates the temperature of your drink.

Unfortunately, most recycling plants do not have the necessary machinery to separate these materials. Due to their inability to be recycled, these items end up in landfills. For a more sustainable energy boost, bring your own coffee mug to a coffee shop.