How to Recycle Polyethylene Plastic

Most plastic water bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate and are easily recyclable.

Polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer resin that in its liquid form can be molded or extruded into an almost infinite variety of shapes and products. One advantage of polyethylene is that like many other plastics, it does not biodegrade. Ever. Polyethylene is composed of long tightly-bonded molecules that cannot be broken down by decomposing organisms. This resistance to decomposition is also one of polyethylene's major disadvantages. When products made of polyethylene end up in a landfill, or in the ocean, they stay there, filling up the landfills and causing havoc to marine animals that can get tangled up in products such as plastic bags. Polyethylene products are among the most important to recycle.

Things You'll Need

• Recycling bin
• Computer with Internet access
• Telephone

Instructions

1. Examine the item you want to recycle to determine which type of polyethylene it is made of by locating its recycling symbol. The recycling arrows surround a number stamped somewhere on the product. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a number "1" in the symbol indicates PET or PETE, also called polyethylene terephthalate. This polyethylene is used in plastic drinking bottles and textiles. Number "4" is LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, which is used to make packaging materials, some plastic bottles, food storage bags and trash bags. A number "2" indicates HDPE, or high-density polyethylene. It is a hard, durable plastic used in some containers, building materials, furniture, appliance casings, water tanks and other goods meant to last.

2. Recycle PET or PETE items through your municipal recycling program. Most communities have some sort of recycling program. In some communities, recyclables are picked up at the curb, and in others, householders take them to transfer stations. Either way, virtually all municipal recycling programs accept polyethylene terephthalate.

3. Mail LDPE foam to a fabricator. LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, can be recycled but it takes a little effort. Several manufacturers of PE foam have joined together to set up a mail-in recycling program for this material. Go to the recyclepefoam website listed in Resources to find the fabricator nearest you that accepts recycled polyethylene foam, prepare a mailing label as directed and ship the material via the U.S. Post Service. Postage must be prepaid; fabricators do not accept cash-on-delivery shipments. Other LDPE items such as food storage bags can go with your regular recycling, but they must be scrupulously clean.

4. Research your options for recycling HDPE. HDPE, or high-density polyethylene, can present some challenges for the recycler. Items such as milk jugs, detergent and bleach bottles can usually be recycled the same way PET or PETE is recycled at the curb or at a waste transfer station. HDPE containers for hazardous materials such as chemicals or motor oil generally are not accepted as routine recyclables. High-density polyethylene is also used to make oversized items such as outdoor storage sheds, water tanks, furniture, building materials and appliance casings that would not be picked up with your regular recycling. The problem here is not the material, but the size of the item. For oversized items, contact your municipal waste disposal program and find out if there is a drop-off center where you can take these items for recycling. Alternatively, some municipal governments designate certain days during the year when they will pick up oversized items.

References

• University of California-Davis: The Recycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate
• Recycle PE Foam: Recycle PE Foam Program
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Plastics

Resources

• Recycle PE Foam: Recycle PE Foam Program