PLASTIC RECYCLING

Plastic is recyclable and often viewed as the more environmentally acceptable material whether it really is or not. Most plastic products come with a code on the bottom, this code determines if and how this product can be recycled.

Before being recycled the plastic is sorted by a Plastic Identification Code and number; there are 7 classifications for plastic. These classifications are used world wide along with the arrowed triangle.

I t is the misunderstanding of these arrows that contribute to plastic lagging far behind other recyclable materials.

Unfortunately not all codes are accepted in all recycling centers, every city has their own standards of plastic acceptance. This information can usually be determined with a call to the recycle center.

Plastic is a versatile synthetic material and has integrated itself in human usage over the years. We wrap our food in it, store items in it, drink from it and eat off it, we have parties surrounded by plastic and even wear it; of all this plastic only 3 to 5 percent is recycled in America.

Much of the rest of this plastic goes into landfills and takes 200 – 400 years to decompose.

Plastics can be recycled and turned into many items from clothing to lumber. Taking the responsibility of the consumer use is the only means of avoiding plastics in the landfill.

Ensure your plastic makes it to a recycle center; given the choice of plastic or glass choose glass since it is more durable.

Take a reusable water bottle with you and refill it instead of buying the filled water bottles.

Buy clothing made from natural materials such as organic cotton, hemp and silk. When at the grocery store and asked if you would prefer plastic or paper say what I always say; “no thanks, I brought my own bags today”.

Plastic recycling is showing increase with PIC numbers 01, 02 and 06 being the most commonly recycled plastics in the United States;

however, in the UK the amount of plastics recycled is very low due to the lack of recycling facilities and services. 

Most of the plastic that is re-used in the UK is being sent to China for recycling which has raised a few ethical concerns.

Israel is working on the recovery and recycling of plastic films to be made into useful household items.

The environmental benefits of recycling plastics include fewer toxins and less waste.

There are some misconceptions of plastic recycling. Plastic containers gathered curbside is recycled into plastic containers again; many of the containers are actually turned into un-recyclable products such as textiles and plastic lumber. The knowledge of plastics being recycled has increased the usage of plastics while the curbside pick up has not increased to match resulting in more plastics reaching the landfill.

The use of plastic containers produces less energy use; the recycling and production of disposable plastics uses as much energy as that of producing glass containers that can be reused, using reusable containers will conserve energy.