The Uncomfortable Truth About Plastic Recycling
Only about 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, according to research published in Science Advances. The main reason isn't lack of will — it's economics. Many plastic types have no viable recycling market. The variety of resin types, dyes, additives, and shapes makes sorting and processing expensive relative to the value of the recovered material.
Focusing on plastics that DO have markets (#1 and #2) and reducing your overall plastic consumption are the most impactful steps you can take.
Plastic #1 (PET) — Your Best Bet
Clear water bottles, soda bottles, peanut butter jars, salad dressing bottles. PET has the best recycling infrastructure of any plastic. It gets turned into polyester fiber (for clothing, carpet), strapping, and new food-grade bottles. Accepted at nearly every recycling center in the U.S.
Plastic #2 (HDPE) — Also Excellent
Milk jugs, HDPE juice bottles, shampoo and conditioner bottles, laundry detergent containers, some grocery bags. HDPE is heavy and stiff, sorts easily, and has strong markets for lumber, drainage pipe, and non-food plastic containers. Second only to PET in recycling infrastructure.
Plastics #3–7: Mostly Avoid Curbside
#3 (PVC): Avoid. Chlorine content makes recycling hazardous and expensive. #4 (LDPE): Plastic bags and film — take to grocery store drop-offs, NOT curbside. #5 (PP): Acceptance growing; check locally. #6 (PS/Styrofoam): Rarely accepted; specialty foam drop-off programs exist in some cities. #7 (Other): Generally not recyclable.
Film Plastics: A Special Case
Plastic bags, bread bags, produce bags, dry cleaning bags, and bubble wrap (#4 LDPE film) should never go in curbside bins — they wrap around sorting machinery and cause expensive shutdowns. However, thousands of grocery and retail stores operate film plastic drop-off programs. Look for the 'Store Drop-Off' symbol on packaging, or use the How2Recycle database to find locations.