Can Plastic Packaging Be Recycled?
Answering whether plastic can be recycled is not straightforward. Plastic containers and packaging, unlike glass and aluminum, are made from a variety of compounds and not a single source. Recycling success rates vary with different resins.
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Numeric Designations
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Like other recyclable items, plastics bear the familiar "chasing arrows" logo. In the case of plastics, that logo by itself is insignificant. The important thing to consider is the number stamped inside the arrows. This number indicates the type of plastic. The type of plastic, in turn, determines whether or not it can be recycled.
Plastics #1 and #2
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Many plastic packages and containers like beverage bottles and containers for liquids (like detergent or bleach) bear the No. 1 or 2. These are made from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and HDPE (high density polyethylene) plastics, respectively. Success rates for recycling these types of plastics are high, and many drop-off recycling centers and curb-side pickup services will accept plastics designated with either of these numbers.
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PVC Packages
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PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is often used in rigid or blister-type packaging due to its properties and ability to withstand weather and impact. Although PVC is ideal for many types of packaging, it is not as easily recycled as PET and HDPE plastics; therefore, it is not as widely accepted for recycling.
Film Packaging
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Film packaging is made from low density polyethylene (LDPE). It is typically used for grocery and dry cleaning bags. Many recycling centers and curb-side services will not accept low density polyethylene plastics (designated with the number four); however, many stores, especially grocery stores, have collection containers for your used plastic bags.
Other Plastic Packaging
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Polypropylene (PP) is designated with the No. 5 and is often used to make food containers. This type of plastic is not widely accepted for recycling, but in many instances, the corresponding lids for these containers are made with PET (#1) which can be readily recycled.
Foam containers are usually made with polystyrene (#6), which is not usually accepted at recycling centers or by curb-side services. Finally, plastics designated as #7 are made from a combination of polymers and are almost never recycled because they do not contain a single type of resin.
Finding a Recycling Center
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Because plastics can be difficult to recycle, it's important to know exactly which ones are accepted in your area. To find out which plastics you can recycle, click on the link in the resource area below. Enter "plastic" in the "What" section and your ZIP code in the "Where" section. The site will populate a list of centers near you and indicate exactly what types of plastic they will accept. You will also see a list of stores that accept plastic bags. If you have a curb-side service, call the hauler or your municipality to find out what types of plastic you can recycle.
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