What plastics are recycled and which do not

You will have realized in your day to day that there are many different types of plastics and that many can be recycled. But,How plastic is recycled? Actually, it is a relatively simple process, because the first thing that is done in plastic recycling plants, once selected that can be processed, is separate them according to the type of resin which has been used to manufacture them. Then, in the next step of the recycling process, the possible impurities that the object, such as labels and other waste, then it crushes and melts To mix the resin well. The result is resin balls that can be introduced into machines that produce plastic objects, such as bottles or boxes.

If you wonder How recycling plastic is used After all this process, think of virtually any bottle, box, boat or toy that takes the recyclable plastic code again. It is very possible that the bottle you throw in the yellow container ends up being another new bottle.

How are plastic bottles, carafes, bags, etc. classified? As we have commented, there is the plastics classification and coding system to be able to manage its recycling. In the main image of this article we see all the symbols that are part of this coding and that are usually stamped in the base or a side of the object. Take note of the Plastic identification code for management and recycling:

• PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate): indicated with the Number 1. This type of material is very present in our day to day because it is in bottles of water, soft drinks and juices, as well as in food containers, as it is very transparent and prevents that between oxygen. It is one of the most recycled.
• HDPE (high density polyethylene): indicated with the number 2. Among the different types of polyethylenes this is the most resistant for its high density. Therefore, it is usually used in cosmetic products, cleaning and some foods, such as tetrabricks.
• PVC (vinyl polychloride): indicated with the number 3. It is one of the most dangerous plastics and is found in cables, pipes, gutters, bottles and carafes of cleaning products such as liquid detergents, and so on.
• LDPE or PEBD (low density polyethylene): indicated with the number 4. Being low density is the most elastic polyethylene form. It is used in film paper, bags, soft plastic bottles, and so on.
• PP (polypropylene): marked with the number 5. It is a material that endures the pressure well, so it is used in the car industry, in the construction and even in the caps and tapas of different types of containers.
• PS (polystyrene): marked with the number 6. They are commonly known by the Porexpán brand. It is a very insulating material, so it is used in foam packaging, such as appliances.
• Others: marked with the number 7 or letter or. They are other plastics other than the previous ones or are mixtures of several resins at the same time. The most common are polycarbonate and butadiene stretch or ABS acrilonitrile. Normally their recycling can not be recycled or it is very difficult, so they do not accept them at all clean points. Those marked with the letter or are products that surely can be reused, although not always recycling.

Thus, in doubt about What plastics are recycled We can affirm that all those who are marked with the RIC Code are usable in the recycling process and, therefore, can be thrown into the yellow container Or, take to a clean point.

Therefore, you can recycle plastic containers and wrapssuch as bottles, vessels, dishes, trays, carafes, caps, etc.

For example, if you wonder what types of plastic bottles can be recycled, keep in mind that because they are of this material with the naked eye, they do not have to be recyclable, they will only be marked with this code.

But what are the Types of non -recyclable plastics? Indeed, there are no recycling, although Yes we can reuse plastics at home easily with some very useful crafts.

Take note in the following lines of what are the materials of this type that should not be thrown into the yellow container.

So what are these plastics that cannot be recycled? This is a very widespread doubt because many times, when we are going to throw something we normally use and do not discard in the yellow container we do not usually be very clear about the best place to throw it. Therefore, it is convenient to know the types of plastics that are not recycled:

• Plastics mixed with other materials: Be a classified or not, when it comes to materials difficult to separate, such as glue, aluminum of medication blisters
• Plastics made with other resins: If it is a resin object, such as some exterior furniture, it cannot be recycled even if it carries plastic parts or parts.
• Sun degraded plastics: These materials often crack with hardly touching them, and can even cut, because the plastic is decomposing. Therefore, they cannot take advantage of having lost their properties to build a new object.
• Some pigmented plastics: There are certain dyes that add in this material during the manufacture of some objects that modify the plastic itself. The inconvenience is that these dyes when processing in recycling machines can turn plastic into threads that damage and stamped the machines.

If you want to read more articles similar to What plastics are recycled and which do notwe recommend that you enter our recycling and waste management category.