Plastic waste is everywhere, and plastic pollution is a growing concern for our environment and health. According to the UK Government's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), the UK generated approximately 2.5 million tonnes of plastic packaging waste in 2020. This means businesses have a unique opportunity to positively impact the environment on a large scale by taking plastic recycling seriously. Knowing what plastics can be recycled and which can’t is key.
Here, we'll explore the types of plastics that can be recycled easily and those that require special attention. From everyday items such as plastic bottles to more complex materials such as polystyrene, we’ll help you understand the differences so you can sort your plastics properly, recycle more effectively, reduce waste and save money.
Why Proper Plastic Recycling Matters for Business
Before we get into the details, let’s take a quick look at how proper plastic recycling will benefit your business:
- Reduces waste and waste disposal costs, saving precious resources from landfill.
- Ensures compliance with increasingly strict legislation relating to plastics and waste disposal. For example, councils can fine you for contaminated recycling loads, while the ban on single-use plastic packaging requires businesses to explore more suitable, sustainable alternatives.
- Helps your business meet its ESG targets and sustainability reporting requirements.
- Supports a circular economy, promoting reuse and recycling, while reducing waste and the need for virgin materials.
Identifying Recyclable Plastics
For consumers and households, local council collection rules determine what’s accepted for recycling. However, the recycling opportunities are far greater for businesses, particularly if they understand what plastics can be recycled and can segregate different plastic types to collect them for recycling at the appropriate waste processing plant.
However, it’s essential to recognise that not all plastics can be recycled, as some are more easily recyclable than others.
Let’s take a deeper look now to help you sort waste well.
Common Recycling Symbols
Most plastic materials are marked with a recycling code that indicates the type of plastic they’re made of. You’ll usually find these different recycling symbols on finished packaging rather than raw materials, so they’re most relevant when managing incoming goods or products heading out of your business premises.
Typically, plastics carry a Resin Identification Code (RIC) – a number from 1 to 7 inside a recycling triangle – thanks to a system set up by the Plastics Industry Association to make it easier to spot different types of plastic. Types 1 (PET) and 2 (HDPE) are the ones you'll find at most council-run recycling centres because they're in high demand and have useful properties. You'll see PET plastic in water bottles, while milk bottles often use HDPE.
Other common symbols include:
- The Mobius Loop, that familiar triangle of arrows, which tells you an item can be recycled
- The Green Dot indicates a financial contribution to recycling schemes rather than the recyclability of the item itself
- The On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) provides valuable information to consumers on the recyclability of plastic products
Which Plastics Can Be Recycled?
Not all plastic items follow the same recycling route. The type of plastic used – and how it's processed – determines whether it can be recycled and what it can be turned into.
PET, HDPE, and PP are the most commonly used plastics in most business settings. These are widely recycled and commonly found in packaging and containers. Each undergoes a mechanical recycling process, but the methods and end uses can vary slightly, depending on the material.
Let’s look at these three plastic types in turn.
PET Plastic (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
PET plastic is one of the most widely recycled plastics, commonly used in water bottles and food containers. PET is highly recyclable because of its useful properties and market demand for recycled PET. It is indicated by the RIC code ‘1 PET’.
Mechanical recycling is the primary method used for PET, involving processes such as grinding the plastic into small pieces, washing it, and melting it to form new recycled plastic products.
HDPE Plastic (High-Density Polyethylene)
HDPE plastic is another highly recyclable material. It is found in everyday items such as milk bottles and shampoo containers, as well as pipes in the construction industry. This plastic is valued for its durability and chemical resistance, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. It is indicated by the RIC code ‘2 HDPE’.
HDPE recycling involves similar mechanical processes to PET recycling, such as collection, sorting, cleaning, and reprocessing into small pellets. Recycled HDPE pellets are often combined with virgin HDPE to manufacture new products.
PP Plastic (Polypropylene)
PP plastic, or polypropylene, is known for its versatility and resistance to heat, making it a popular choice for items such as yoghurt pots, ready-meal trays, and food containers. It is indicated by the RIC code ‘5 PP’.
The recycling process for PP involves sorting, cleaning, and then processing it into new products, similar to the processes used for PET and HDPE. The process for recycling PET, HDPE, and PP plastics does not change the plastic's original chemical structure.
Managing Hard-to-Recycle Plastics
Not all plastics can go in standard recycling bins. Soft plastics, films, pouches, bubble wrap and other flexible packaging materials often require separate collection and processing. These materials can still be recycled, but follow a different route from rigid plastics such as bottles or tubs.
In a business setting, these plastics might come from bulk packaging, protective wraps, food service items or product liners. While they’re often overlooked, they comprise a significant part of commercial waste.
If you’re working with a waste management partner such as Waste Mission, these materials can be managed and collected separately for appropriate processing. This includes:
- Plastic films and wrap – pallet wrap, shrink film and soft packaging from stock or supplies
- Flexible food packaging – eg crisp packets, pet-food pouches or multilayer sachets
- Carrier bags and liners – from internal use or supplier deliveries
Polystyrene – used in everything from food boxes to packaging – is another good example of a plastic that requires special care. Contrary to popular belief and many internet sources, all types of polystyrene can be recycled in the UK and it’s increasingly profitable. However, it must be clean and free from contaminants to be recycled well.
Challenges with Recycling Certain Plastics
Not all plastics are straightforward to recycle. Some types present challenges due to how they're made or used. Different polymers often require separate processing methods, and in many cases, sorting them can be time-consuming and costly. Unfortunately, when the cost of recycling outweighs the value of the recovered material, recycling becomes less viable.
Contamination also plays a significant role. Biodegradable plastics, for example, look similar to conventional plastics but can disrupt mechanical recycling systems. In some cases, entire batches of otherwise recyclable plastic may be rejected.
Contamination in Plastic Recycling
Contamination is one of the most common barriers to effective recycling. It can be caused by the wrong types of plastic, leftover food, or items that haven’t been rinsed properly. Even small amounts of the wrong material can result in large volumes of otherwise recyclable material being sent to landfills.
Clear labelling and basic preparation can make a big difference. Items marked with a rinse or clean symbol should be emptied and washed before disposal. Reducing contamination at source supports higher-quality recycling and less waste overall.
Different Plastic Recycling Procedures
Recyclable plastics can be turned into new products in three different ways:
Mechanical Recycling
As we’ve seen, mechanical recycling involves steps such as grinding, washing, drying, re-granulating and compounding plastic without changing its chemical structure. Plastics such as PET, HDPE and PP are generally suitable for this method of transforming recyclable plastic into new products.
Proper sorting and cleaning of plastics are essential to avoid contamination during recycling. The only disadvantage of this type of recycling is that plastic loses quality after being recycled more than once, and its uses become more limited.
Chemical Recycling
Chemical recycling is a solution for plastics that are hard to recycle mechanically. This method, which takes several different forms, breaks down plastics into their original chemical components, creating high-quality new materials. Chemical recycling is particularly valuable for dealing with contaminated or mixed plastic waste, which mechanical recycling struggles with.
The current status of chemical recycling technology in the UK is still developing, requiring investment and development on an industrial scale. Despite these challenges, chemical recycling holds promise for expanding the range of recyclable plastics and reducing plastic waste.
Energy Recycling
This process involves converting plastic into thermal and electric energy through incineration. Though widely used in some European countries, waste-to-energy incineration is generally considered an option of last resort in the UK to avoid landfill because of concerns over its environmental impact and emissions.
Recyclable vs. Compostable vs. Biodegradable: What's the Difference?
As more businesses look for ways to reduce plastic waste, alternatives such as compostable and biodegradable plastics are becoming more common.
Understanding how each material behaves and how it’s processed can help you make the right choices for your business:
- Recyclable plastics, such as PET and HDPE, are still the most widely used in commercial settings. Well-established recycling systems support them and are easily sorted when bins are clearly labelled.
- Compostable plastics are designed to break down under specific industrial conditions, typically involving temperatures between 50 and 70°C. These materials can be a strong option for food packaging, catering disposables, or any items likely to be contaminated with food.
- Biodegradable plastics also break down over time, but require specific conditions, such as home composting, which the open environment does not offer. They’re unsuitable for standard recycling, so treating them differently from conventional plastics is important.
Why Work with a Waste Management Partner?
Managing waste well isn’t just about compliance; it’s about finding an efficient setup that preserves precious resources without interrupting your core operations. Working with a specialist waste management partner such as Waste Mission can help give you a clearer view of what’s being thrown away, where improvements can be made, and how recycling works for your benefit.
Waste Mission helps make recycling a routine so you can focus on running your business safely with the knowledge that your waste is being handled efficiently and sustainably.
With support tailored to your business and the materials you handle, we help you sort waste correctly, avoid contamination, and meet your sustainability goals. We also help you track progress over time, giving you a clearer view of your impact.
How Businesses Can Improve Plastic Recycling Rates
If you’re ready to get serious about your plastic recycling, here are a few key steps to help get you started:
- Book a waste review with our team. Improving your plastic recycling starts with understanding what’s currently going to waste. A review can reveal which plastics are being handled and disposed of, and where improvements can be made.
- Ensure you have adequate facilities to collect and sort different types of plastics. Waste Mission offers a wide range of commercial bins and can help you decide the type and size you need.
- Clear signage on bins is vital. Labelling containers by plastic type – such as PET or HDPE – makes it easier for your team to sort materials correctly and helps reduce contamination.
- Training is key. When teams know what goes where and why it matters, recycling becomes part of the routine rather than an afterthought.
Together, we can build a future that’s a few shades greener.