Plastic comes in many forms. The common plastic bottle resins, as listed in the resin identification code (that small triangle you find on most bottles), are:
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
- High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polystyrene (PS)
- Other
As of the end of 2005, PET and HDPE comprised over 95% of the plastic bottle market and 99.6% of the recycled pounds. Of the five remaining resins, polypropylene had the largest market share of the plastic bottle market at 2%. Although each of the #3 through #7 resins are recyclable, the challenge has always been reaching critical mass for collection, transport, and processing of these materials.
Barriers to Increased Plastic Bottle Recycling
Consumers continue to be unaware of the significant value and high market demand for HPDE post-consumer resin (PCR). Plastics recycling would benefit from significant local education campaigns.
Many communities have experienced large turnover in their recycling coordinators. As determined from recent plastic recycling workshops conducted by the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers with ACC support, many of the new municipal and county recycling managers are not aware of the value of recycled plastic bottles. Ongoing education needs to be focused on collection methods, collection expansion, and consumer education regarding the strong markets for recycled bottles and the critical need for this valuable raw material.
Thanks to the American Chemistry Council and the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers for this information.