Why are some plastics recyclable and others are not? (2024)

FAQs

Why are some plastics recyclable and others are not? ›

The difference in the recyclability of plastic types can be down to how they are made; thermoset plastics contain polymers that form irreversible chemical bonds and cannot be recycled, whereas thermoplastics can be re-melted and re-molded.

There are many various categories of plastics, and even within a single category, different packaging types do not have the same physical and chemical properties, and so will not recycle equally.

Thermosetting plastics, like Bakelite or polyurethane, are different because they harden as you heat them. Once they have set, you can't melt them. This makes thermosetting plastics almost impossible to recycle.

Plastic films, plastic wrapping and thin plastic bags – these generally fall into the RIC 4 category and commonly find their way into rigid plastic-only recycling bins, which can then clog reprocessing machinery.

Yes, it is possible to use 100% recycled plastic in various applications, but there are some considerations and challenges associated with its use.

The difference in the recyclability of plastic types can be down to how they are made; thermoset plastics contain polymers that form irreversible chemical bonds and cannot be recycled, whereas thermoplastics can be re-melted and re-molded.

"On a facility average basis, between 82% and 85% of everything that's brought to us is recycled,” said Terrell. “That other 15%, depend[ing] on what exactly the type is, goes to a landfill. It's unrecyclable.”

Bakelite is not easily recyclable because it is a thermosetting plastic that hardens irreversibly when exposed to heat and pressure. However, some recycling facilities may be able to use Bakelite in small amounts as a filler material in other products.

Plastic waste is one of many types of wastes that take too long to decompose. Normally, plastic items can take up to 1000 years to decompose in landfills. But plastic bags we use in our everyday life take 10-20 years to decompose, while plastic bottles take 450 years.

Recycling is becoming increasingly important in the plastics industry, and both thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics can be recycled to some extent. Thermoplastics are more easily recycled than thermosetting plastics because they can be melted and remoulded multiple times without losing their properties.

Can butter tubs be recycled? ›

Tubs and trays are made of plastic and are widely recycled. Clean butter tubs can be placed loose in your dry recycling (green/orange lidded) bin at home. Consider if tubs or trays could be reused. Plastic tubs make great plant pots or small storage containers.

Flexible plastic bags and wraps – often called plastic film packaging – are recycled differently than bottles and containers. Plastic bags and wraps DO NOT go in most curbside recycling bins. Plastic bags and wraps DO go to participating retail store recycling bins.

Tampon Recycling – What You Can and Cannot Recycle

It's a good question. Unfortunately, you cannot recycle tampon applicators. Because tampons have been in contact with blood which is considered human waste, conventional city or country recycling streams are unable to process them.

Paper: 5 to 7

The average number of times your printer paper can be recycled is about five to seven times. After that, the fibers will become too short and can't be made into copier paper anymore. At that point, the short fibers can be used to make things like newsprint or egg cartons.

Paper, for example, is best processed when it's clean, and any food particles or moisture on other recycled items could mean that paper never gets recycled. That's why greasy pizza boxes, for example, typically go in the trash instead. (Want to recycle your food scraps? Read our guide to composting.)

Infinitely Recyclable. Aluminum is one of the most recycled—and recyclable—materials in use today. A recycled aluminum beverage can, car door or window frame is often recycled directly back into itself. And this process can happen virtually infinitely.

There are some materials that have been so changed in their manufacturing, that it's very difficult to recycle. Food cans and soda cans are easy to recycle. But rubber car tires, which are chemically processed as they're made, are nearly impossible to recycle into new rubber products.

Plastics are nearly impossible to recycle because of the many different types that cannot be recycled together. Thousands of different chemical additives make plastics soft, fire resistant or give them other properties, Enck says.

Part of this problem is that plastics have to be separated into different types as each type has different properties and they can't be recycled together.”

Many commonly recycled items either need specialist recycling treatment or are so contaminated that they cannot be processed properly. Think toothpaste tubes, takeaway packaging and juice cartons. So if you're sticking these items in the recycling bin or box, you might want to rethink how you're disposing of them.