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MASTER THE BASICS OF PLASTICS RECYCLING

by Deborah Mitchell
plastic recycling

Plastics recycling can seem confusing, but overcoming any challenges is important, especially because plastic is made from nonrenewable and increasingly expensive fossil fuels (petroleum and/or natural gas), and because discarded plastics occupy about 25 percent of landfill space.

Consumers like plastic products because they are usually light and convenient. But plastic has downsides:

  • plastic requires large amounts of energy to manufacture
  • plastic contributes to solid waste pollution
  • plastic contains chemicals that can infiltrate foods and negatively impact health.

To reduce solid waste, some have proposed biodegradable plastic. This plastic contains 5 percent vegetable oil or cornstarch, which bacteria consume, causing the plastic to disintegrate. But landfills prevent degradation, so bacteria often can’t do their work, and plastics remain in landfills. Biodegradable plastic cannot be recycled because the organic matter contaminates the quality of recycled plastics. Photodegradable plastic, which needs sun exposure to break down, is usually covered by waste and can’t decompose.

Reducing plastic use is the main goal, but because plastic products will be around for many years, plastics recycling needs to be easier. Currently, rates of plastics recycling in the United States are behind those of other items, such as newspaper (about 80%) and cardboard (about 70%); one reason is that consumers don't understand which plastics they can recycle in their area. Types of plastics are assigned a number, which is usually stamped or printed on the bottom of containers and surrounded by a pyramid of arrows.

Types of Plastics*:

  1. PETE, polyethylene terephthalate: Soft drink, water, and juice bottles

  2. HDPE, high density polyethylene: Milk jugs, trash bags, detergent bottles, some produce bags

  3. Vinyl: Cooking oil bottles, meat packaging

  4. LDPE, low density polyethylene: Grocery bags, bread bags, some produce bags

  5. PP, polypropylene: Yogurt, sour cream, and margarine containers

  6. Polystyrene: Hot beverage cups, some disposable plates, egg cartons, meat trays

  7. Other

* These are typical examples; always check items for the plastics number.

The most-often recycled plastics are numbers 1 and 2. In 2003, only 25.2 percent of PETE and 31.9 percent of HDPE plastics were recycled. By 2006, the PETE recycling percentage had declined to only about 20 percent, while HDPE remained relatively steady. HDPE is especially useful, as it is recycled into plastic lumber, tables, benches, bike racks, truck cargo liners, fencing, speed bumps, trash receptacles, planters, and more.

Plastics recycling can be as easy as 1, 2, 4, and 6, depending on the extent of the program in your area. Even if there is no plastic recycling program near you, you can still help reduce plastic waste, as you’ll see below.

Recycle Plastic:

  • Contact your city or county Department of Public Works, Department of Solid Waste Disposal, or recycling center to learn which plastics can be recycled in your area. You can also get state recycling information by calling 1-800-CLEANUP (covers all states).
  • Only recycle the plastics that your recyclers request. Mixing in other plastics creates more work and may cause them to refuse your materials.
  • Help an elderly neighbor or friend to recycle.
  • Rinse out containers with water, then squash them. Save water by using the rinse water from one container to rinse others.
  • You can leave paper labels on bottles but throw away plastic caps and sprayer inserts, as they are usually made from a plastic that cannot be recycled easily.
  • Many plastics lumber manufacturers accept all plastics. See if there is a plastics lumber manufacturer in your area.
  • To find a facility that accepts solid polystyrene (type used to pack and ship electronics, appliances, etc.), check with the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers.
  • Recycle plastic grocery, bread, and produce bags at your grocery store. These bags are usually type 2 or 4. Both can often be mixed, but confirm this with the store. Recycle clean bags only.
  • To recycle packing "peanuts," call local packing and shipping stores, or contact the Plastic Loosefill Council at 800-828-2214.
  • If you feel creative, make a tote bag out of plastic grocery bags.
  • Most printing and copier cartridges can be recycled or reused. Many office supply stores accept them, and some nonprofits collect them as well (e.g., World Land Trust and Animal Rescue Foundation).

Reduce Your Plastic Use:

  • Use canvas or net bags for groceries instead of plastic bags.
  • Reuse plastic containers for leftovers and to store small items (nails, screws, pins, buttons, etc.).
  • Donate nonrecyclable plastic containers to a plant nursery, schools (for class projects), senior centers, or a center that has programs for children (YMCA/YWCA, scouts, after-school programs).
  • Buy in bulk.
  • Bring plastic containers to restaurants for leftovers. This eliminates the need for taking home a polystyrene container.
  • If you have a choice between buying something in plastic or something else, choose something else.
  • Buy products that are in recyclable and/or recycled packages.

Our dependence on plastic, like our dependence on oil, is costly for the environment. Plastics recycling, as well as reuse and reduced use of plastics are ways you can help keep that impact down.