Recycling in Ohio

Plastics Recycling

Plastic Recycling Codes #1 PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) Also known as PET, this plastic is most commonly used for soft drink bottles, water bottles and frozen food trays. PETE and HDPE are also the most readily recyclable plastics for consumers #2 HDPE (high-density polyethylene) Used to produce food containers such as milk and juice jugs, liquid detergent bottles, trash bags and cereal box liners. #3 VINYL (vinyl) Used in clear food packaging, shampoo bottles and medical tubing. Also used extensively in building and construction. #4 LDPE (low-density polyethylene) Used in food packaging such as bread and frozen food bags and shrink wrapp. Also used for dry cleaning bags, trash bags and wire and cable applications. #5 PP (polypropylene) Used to make ketchup and medicine bottles, some dairy containers and molded automobile parts. Consumer recycling opportunities are limited. #6 PS (polystyrene) PS foam is used as packing material and to make disposable food and drink containers. Solid polystyrene is used to make hard plastic items, such as glasses, containers and disposable cutlery. #7 (other) Other plastics and difficult-to-recycle composites of multiple types of plastic and other material.

Plastics are a rapidly growing segment of the nation's municipal solid waste stream. Our nation generated more than 19.3 million tons of plastic waste in 1994, and yet less than 5 percent was recovered by recycling.

Although more plastic was recycled in 1994 than in years past, the U.S. is throwing away more plastics than ever. Here in Ohio, most of the plastics that end up in our local landfills are from packaging and containers.

Plastic is a valuable commodity because it is an oil or natural gas-based product. By recycling plastics, Ohioans are saving energy and conserving a non-renewable source. The plastics industry has voluntarily devised a coding system which makes recycling plastics easier for local communities. As many as 65 percent of plastic bottles are made of PET (#1) and HDPE (#2) plastic, the most readily recyclable forms of plastic for consumers.

Important facts about plastics recycling:

• Plastic products make up 10.5 percent of the nation's waste stream by weight, according to U.S. government figures, but a greater percentage in volume because of their relatively light weight.
• A typical single-family household will set out about 13 pounds of plastics per person each year in curbside recycling programs.
• Recycling plastic containers into new products saves about 50 percent of the energy used to make the same product from new material. In addition, recycling plastics can save twice as much energy as incineration.
• Plastic containers and packaging in the waste stream have increased rapidly, from 120,000 tons in 1960 to 11.2 million tons in 1999, a figure that does not include trash bags or single-serving plates, cups or utensils. Some of these containers are widely recycled. The national recycling rate for PET plastic (#1) soft drink bottles reached 40 percent in 1999, but overall, recovery of plastic containers that year was estimated at 9.7 percent. The recycling rate for all plastics in the waste stream that year — durable and non-durable goods as well as containers and packaging — was just 5.6 percent, according to U.S. government figures.
• About 1,200 soft drink and salad dressing containers could carpet the average living room.
• It takes 1,050 HDPE (#2) milk jugs to make a six-foot plastic lumber park bench.

Ohioans must continue to look at new ways to reduce the state's solid waste stream, and recycling plastics is a viable alternative. To ensure the success and growth of plastics recycling, Ohioans must choose plastics that can be recycled and purchase containers and plastic products that are made with recycled materials.