For this reason, HDPE is used to make picnic tables, plastic lumber, waste bins, park benches, bed liners for trucks and other products which require durability and weather-resistance.
It is also a popular material for recycled plastic raised garden beds. Products made of HDPE are reusable and recyclable. To cut down, consider replacing your disposable produce bags with reusable alternatives. It is commonly used as the sheathing material for computer cables, to make plastic pipes and parts for plumbing, and in garden hoses. Because PVC is relatively impervious to sunlight and weather, it is used to make window frames, garden hoses, arbors, raised beds and trellises.
Products made using PVC plastic are not recyclable. To avoid items made with PVC plastic, consider replacing plastic food wrap with reusable beeswax wraps ; plastic toys with reclaimed wool stuffed animals ; and your PVC garden hose with a Drinking Water Safe Garden Hose. LDPE is often found in shrink wraps, dry cleaner garment bags, squeezable bottles, and the type of plastic bags used to package bread.
The plastic grocery bags used in most stores today are made using LDPE plastic. Some clothing and furniture also uses this type of plastic. LDPE is considered less toxic than other plastics, and relatively safe for use. It is not commonly recycled, however, although this is changing in many communities today as more plastic recycling programs gear up to handle this material.
When recycled, LDPE plastic is used for plastic lumber, landscaping boards, garbage can liners and floor tiles. Products made using LDPE plastic are reusable, but not always recyclable.
You need to check with your local collection service to see if they are accepting LDPE plastic items for recycling. To cut down on the amount of LDPE that you consume, try replacing your plastic grocery bags with fabric alternatives and taking a cloth bag to your local bakery the next time you buy a loaf of bread. You can also replace plastic sandwich bags with platinum silicone alternatives , which are heat safe. Polypropylene plastic is tough and lightweight, and has excellent heat-resistance qualities.
It serves as a barrier against moisture, grease and chemicals. When you try to open the thin plastic liner in a cereal box, it is polypropylene. This keeps your cereal dry and fresh. PP is also commonly used for disposable diapers, pails, plastic bottle tops, margarine and yogurt containers, potato chip bags, straws, packing tape and rope.
Recycled PP is used to make landscaping border stripping, battery cases, brooms, bins and trays. However, 5 plastic is today becoming more accepted by recyclers.
PP is considered safe for reuse. To recycle products made from PP, check with your local curbside program to see if they are now accepting this material. To cut down on how much PP you consume, opt for reusable straws instead of plastic ones, reusable water bottles , and cloth diapers. These also become health hazards for the people who need to collect and sort through all the recyclables before they are processed.
Plastics bags are an unusual problem for recycling facilities. This can lead to jamming of conveyor belts and gears, resulting in unplanned downtime. To remedy this problem, some grocery chains or big box stores often offer a separate recycling bin for plastic bags. However, segregating plastic bags is difficult as these often do not contain any labels that pertain to what type of plastics they are made of. A more effective and sustainable solution is to reduce the use of plastic bags altogether or to reuse them as many times as possible before disposal.
The most difficult step of the whole recycling process is the first one — collection. This requires the cooperation of businesses, restaurants, and the general public to ensure that all recyclable plastics end up in the proper recycling bins.
Ideally, there should be multiple collections in an area that are accessible and convenient. Local governments can also provide a service that goes to businesses or houses to collect their recyclables. Collection is particularly essential because the whole process of recycling hinges on its proper implementation and compliance.
Take note that recyclable plastics will not make it to the recycling facility if they are thrown in with regular trash. Collection is also the major point of failure as it requires the compliance of a lot of people for it to work.
In countries or cities where recycling has not yet become a norm, even succeeding in this first step will prove to be a huge challenge. Recyclable plastics typically arrive at recycling facilities at an unsorted state.
Since recycling processes are specific for each type of plastic, each lot has to be sorted to avoid cross-contamination. This is done either through dedicated sorting equipment or manually. It also takes into account the size, color, or even how the plastic product was made. This is necessary because recycled plastic often has designated applications that will require specific physical and chemical characteristics.
There are also certain processes that are only designed to handle particular types, colors, and sizes of recyclable plastic products. For some facilities, sorting is necessary as they are only designed to handle certain types of recyclable plastics. Those that cannot be processed are either passed to other recycling facilities or incinerated. The plastic recycling process requires very specific chemical conditions for it to work optimally.
This emphasizes how important it is that contaminants be removed from recyclable plastic before they are processed. Far more common is the need to remove labels and adhesives from plastic packaging. Whether these labels are made of paper or plastic, they cannot be mixed into the recyclables stream.
A contaminated batch of recycled plastic can result in products with questionable structural integrity or a complete failure of the recycling process. In the resizing step, the plastic to be recycled is shredded into very fine particles using a series of sharp blades. This makes them easier to handle, transport, or process. In some facilities, this also provides a final opportunity to remove any contaminants either with a second round of washing or by the use of magnets or metal detectors.
Once the plastics have been shredded, they can be more easily separated according to particular physical and chemical properties. The most common qualifier is density. Plastic particles can be easily separated by density by placing them into a large tank of water or a wind tunnel where the lighter particles will float at the top and the heavier ones will sink to the bottom.
Light and heavy plastic particles can then be processed separately, with their recycled products used for different applications. These fibers shorten over time so they can only be recycled times before it becomes no longer recyclable. Conclusion: PET is recyclable but not reusable.
It is accepted at most recycling centers throughout the world. You can reduce your PET plastic use by opting to use reusable water bottles and beverage containers. Look for products without excessive disposable plastic packaging. Store your toiletries in reusable glass jars or bottles. HDPE is a stiff and strong plastic making it an ideal choice for packaging. It is also impact and moisture resistant making it a versatile choice for many outdoor commercial materials. HDPE is one of the most commonly recycled plastics and is also considered one of the safest forms of plastic as it has a low risk of leaching into foods or liquids.
It should be recycled when it shows signs of cracking, scuffing, scratches or becomes cloudy and discolored. Avoid exposing HDPE plastic containers to sunlight or excessive heat to prolong their lifespan. HDPE can also be beneficial due to its lightweight yet durable properties, making it an excellent alternative to producing heavier materials. This can translate to a lower environmental impact during its production. Conclusion: HDPE is recyclable and reusable.
It is accepted at most recycling centers in the world. By recycling HDPE you prevent it from entering a landfill. Instead of plastic Ziploc bags and plastic Tupperware, you can opt for silicone reusable bags or glass food storage containers. When grocery shopping, opt for reusable cloth tote bags instead of standard plastic grocery bags.
Most people think of white plastic pipes when they hear PVC. Also known as vinyl, PVC is a soft and flexible plastic common for construction and healthcare, but can also be found for personal applications in the home. It has a high tolerance for sunlight and weather conditions making it an ideal material for outdoor products. It has also been linked to birth defects, testicular cancer, and liver problems. When entering a landfill the plastic additives can leach chlorine, carcinogens, and other toxic chemicals into the soil.
These chemicals can also contaminate waterways and air quality. Many European countries have adopted policies to ban PVC from landfills. Conclusion: PVC is not recyclable and not reusable.
This is not a very sustainable material and I would suggest avoiding when possible. Avoid plastic food wrapping with PVC by using beeswax food wrap instead. A water-safe drinking garden hose is also a safer option. Look for alternatives that are PVC-free to reduce your exposure to this potentially toxic plastic.
LDPE is used to make thin and flexible products you will find on food packaging and consumer goods. LDPE has traditionally not been a very recyclable plastic, however, many recycling centers are changing to adapt to this service. When LDPE is recycled it can be used for building materials including such as plastic lumber, paneling, and floor tiles. Other applications include shipping envelopes, compost bins, garbage cans, and furniture.
Conclusion: products made from LDPE are reusable but not commonly recyclable. Check with your municipality or local recycling facility to see if they accept 4 LDPE plastics. Some supermarkets will also accept LDPE plastic bags for recycling so check with your local grocery store to see if this is possible.
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