Guide to Plastic Recycling
Many households have adopted the habit of collecting their recyclables for pickup, but few have a complete grasp of what can and cannot be within different municipalities, especially when it comes to plastics. While many people think that the triangle of arrows on the bottom of the package means an item can be recycled, but that on it s own is fairly meaningless without looking at the number inside those arrows.
The Society of the Plastics Industry debuted the numbering system in 1998, which provided a clear labeling system for consumers to identify which types of plastic products are recyclable. However, many municipalities throughout the United States are only capable of recycling certain plastics. The list below details each numbered plastics category to help consumers figure out what to buy, what can be recycled in most places, and what plastics to avoid purchasing altogether.
1: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
PET is clear, delicate plastic that is often used in water bottles and other beverage bottles, as well as other commonly used food packages. It is easily recycled through most curbside recycling programs. Recycled PET (rPET) has virtually the same chemical makeup as new PET, and is often used to make new beverage containers or other products like carpet. rPET products are also accepted through most curbside recycling programs. Recycling PET is one of the easiest ways to prevent plastic from taking up space in landfills. According to RecycleBank.com, recycling one pound of PET uses 84 percent less energy than producing the same amount of new PET.
2: High-density Polyethylene (HDPE)
A stiff and opaque plastic, HDPE is used to create jugs and gallons of milk, toiletries, and laundry soap products, as well as some types of plastic bags. Beyond use as packaging for consumption, when recycled, HDPE is used to make outdoor items like plastic building products, garden planters, and benches. This type of plastic is recyclable through many curbside recycling programs.
3: Vinyl (PVC)
Vinyl is used in packaging materials, wire insulation, floor tiles and medical supplies. While the recycled no. 3 plastic can be made into things like 3-ring binders, traffic cones, and office supplies, many recyclers do not accept it through curbside recycling. Easily recyclable alternatives to vinyl are available, so purchasing non-vinyl options is one way of reducing the impact of this plastic on the environment.
4: Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
The soft plastic bags that dry cleaning, bread, and grocery bags are made of are typically made with LDPE. When recycled, this plastic can be made into shipping envelopes, plastic lumber, or trash bins. Some larger municipalities will accept a no. 4 plastic, but many do not. However, many supermarkets have positioned recycling stations to take back grocery bags for recycling.
5: Polypropylene
One of the well known uses of no. 5 plastic is in the use of manufacturing yogurt containers. Also found in other food tubs, like margarine containers, and bottles, this plastic is not as easily recycled as many other types of plastic. This plastic is also used to create many of the caps that are found on shampoo bottles, milk jugs, and other packaging. Some companies, such as Preserve products, will accept no. 5 recyclables via a mail-in system or by stopping by one of their recycling stations at various retailers like Whole Foods. The company recycles the material into common goods, like toothbrush handles and dinnerware.
Aveda, the eco-friendly beauty company pioneered a recycling program to showcase the amount of plastic caps, made from no. 5 plastic, that end up in the oceans and environment. Consumers can take any caps, such as those from soda bottles, water bottles, and milk jugs to any Aveda retail store or concept salon for recycling. Aveda’s recycling partner breaks down the plastic so it can be made into new caps for the products Aveda manufactures.
Most municipalities within the United States do not offer recycling for no. 5 plastic containers. However, many metropolitan areas may have community groups which collect and ship these plastics to recycling stations that can process the plastic.
6: Polystyrene
Found in products like CD cases, some egg cartons, and disposable plates, polystyrene is a brittle and clear plastic. It is not always accepted through curbside recycling programs, though more municipalities are adding it to their list of accepted plastics. When it is recycled, it is made into things like foam packaging or foam disposables. Because of its limited use in recycling, it is not a great choice for purchasing.
7: Other Plastics
Items that are labeled with the no. 7 plastic recycling system are typically made from unidentifiable resin or a combination of some of the aforementioned plastic types. Some of the common packaging applications of this plastic are ketchup bottles, and large capacity gallons, like a 3-gallon or 5-gallon jug. Most municipalities do not accept no. 7 plastic into the curbside recycling program.
More Resources for Plastic Recycling and Curbside Recycling Programs
The IDES Plastics Database of Recyclable Plastics
Information About Plastics Recycling from Stanford University
Recycling Facts Graphic: talking about facts about plastic recycling among other things.
Download a Guide About What Plastics Can Be Recycled
Annalise Kaylor is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant specializing in search engine optimized content for the web. As a writer, her work has appeared across the United States in print ads for Whirlpool, Maytag, Home Depot, and Lowe's, among others. As a consultant, she has worked primarily in the education sector, helping universities increase their web visibility and construct and implement social media strategy. Annalise is an avid reader, knitter, organic gardener and baker, as well as the author of the popular baking blog, Knead To Be Loaved. Annalise enjoys fly fishing, camping, and hiking.
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