Plastics Recycling - Rutland Plastics

Plastics has become one of the most popular and useful materials of the present day. We now use about 20 times more plastic than we did 50 years ago. By recycling it is possible to reduce the need to create virgin materials. This has the benefit of conserving oil (although plastic is largely a by-product), reducing energy consumption, reducing landfill and reducing carbon dioxide and other gas emissions.

One of the difficulties is that there is a wide range of different plastic materials in use. Some of these cannot currently be recycled in the UK as we do not have the necessary new technology. Among these materials are those used to make margarine tubs and yoghurt pots, for example. The result is that some plastics still go to landfill, some are incinerated and some shipped abroad.

Plastic waste can be sourced from a variety of origins. Although domestic waste presents the biggest problem, factory scrap is the purest form of plastic as it is normally well sorted, clean and dry. Understandably, this has the highest value.

There is some plastic now becoming available from demolition and refurbishment but as plastic is a relatively new material in construction the amounts are small. The material tends to be of relatively good quality but may require cleaning.

As mentioned above, domestic waste is the highest profile but plastics from this source are often dirty, wet and of mixed types. This makes recycling more difficult and costly.

Polyethylene Terephthalate – fizzy drink bottles and oven-ready meal trays

High Density Polyethylene – bottles for milk and washing-up liquids

Polyvinyl Chloride – food trays, cling film, bottles for squash, mineral water and shampoo

Low Density Polyethylene – carrier bags and bin liners

Polypropylene – margarine tubs, microwaveable meal trays

Polystyrene – yoghurt pots, foam meat or fish trays, hamburger boxes and egg cartons, vending cups, plastic cutlery, protective packaging for electronic goods and toys

Any other plastics, e.g. melamine which is often used in plastic plates and cups

Degradable Plastics

Oil based plastics that either break down or disperse into smaller fragments. These may in turn biodegrade or break down further to reduce the material to water, carbon dioxide, biomass (plant matter) and trace elements.

Biodegradable Plastics

These should break down cleanly, in a defined time period, to form simple molecules found in the environment such as carbon dioxide and water.

Compostable Plastics
These are a form of biodegradable plastics which must demonstrate that they biodegrade and disintegrate completely in a compost bin or system during the 3-4 months composting process.

Note: Biodegradable and degradable plastics will not degrade effectively in a landfill site and could potentially hinder the quality of recycled plastic if they enter a conventional plastics recycling system.