Plastics
See also Plastic Bags.Plastics are a large family of materials, which can readily be formed into complex shapes, and are widely used to manufacture products and for packaging. Plastics are generally long-chain hydrocarbon polymers, derived principally from petroleum.
The PACIA Plastics Recycling Survey 2001 (Nolan-ITU) estimated that total plastics recovered increased from just less than 60,000 tonnes in 1992, to over 160,000 tonnes in 2000. Recovery rates for individual plastics in the year 2000 are shown below.
Most plastic containers are stamped with an identification code - a number, within the familiar triangle of arrows. The number identifies the type of plastic (see below) - it does not guarantee that the product is recyclable - that is usually determined by local factors, linked to the market for recyclables, freight costs etc. Check with your local Council or commercial recycler.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), usually a clear plastic, made into bottles for soft drinks and other foods. Recycling PET saves 84% of the energy required to make it from raw materials (Grant et al, 1999).
Can be readily recycled (Australian recovery 32% in 2000), just rinse, remove lids (because they are usually a different plastic), and flatten bottles.
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). Can be un-coloured (slightly opaque) or coloured. In its un-coloured form, it is typically used to make milk and cream containers. In its coloured form, it is used to make a variety of containers for foods, shampoos etc. It may be uneconomic in some areas to recycle coloured HDPE, so check with your Local Council regarding their policy for kerbside collections, or with your recycler for commercial collections. 15% of HDPE used in Australia was recovered in 2000. To recycle - rinse, remove lids, and flatten bottles.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), capable of being made in flexible or rigid grades, for a variety of uses from fruit juice bottles to water pipes. It may be uneconomic in some areas to recycle PVC, so check with your Local Council regarding their policy for kerbside collections, or with your recycler for commercial collections. 5% of PVC was recovered in 2000. To recycle - rinse, remove lids and flatten bottles.
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), a flexible plastic, widely used for packaging such as dry cleaning bags and rubbish bin liners. It is not recovered by kerbside collection, so look for alternatives wherever possible. 11% of LDPE was recovered from commercial sources in 2000.