Plastic is used to make a wide variety of containers, from beverage bottles to food and product packaging. Since these items don’t break down in landfills, plastic recycling is vital to protecting the environment. According to the team at Green Earth of Harrisonburg, VA, plastic is a versatile recyclable that can be used to make a range of consumer goods like clothes, building materials, and even carpets. Here, they explain how plastic is recycled, so you can understand how sorting household trash properly helps preserve the environment.

The Stages of Plastic Recycling

1. Collection

The first step in the plastic recycling process starts with you. Green Earth makes it easy to reuse your plastic containers, including jars, bottles, bags and packing materials, by offering curbside recycling services for customers. Rinse all items before placing them in a bin for pickup, as food particles and soap residue can interfere with recycling procedures.

2. Sorting

Once the items arrive at the recycling center, they are sorted based on their resin content and color. During this step, the plastic is also rinsed to remove any remaining contaminants. If you’re curious about the resin content of your plastic items, look for the recycling symbol and number. This information is usually located near the bottom of the product.

3. Cutting

After the recyclables are sorted, they are then cut into small, reusable pieces. Since not all plastics are used for the same purposes, they must be sorted again to separate the materials by weight. These items all go through different deconstruction processes, including being ground or cut into small flakes.

4. Decontamination

Plastic must be cleaned several times during the recycling process. After the material is chopped up, it goes through a final decontamination stage. Recycling centers use specialized equipment to separate the freshly washed pieces again based on their resin content. The flakes are then left to dry.

5. Melting

The final stage of the plastic recycling process prepares the material for reuse. Special equipment is used to melt down the flakes and either process them into granules known as nurdles or mold them into a new shape. At this point, your recyclables are ready to be used for a new purpose.

For more information on the plastic recycling process, speak with the waste disposal experts at Green Earth. This recycling center handles common household materials like paper, aluminum, metals, and plastic, as well as construction waste such as bricks, asphalt, and shingles. In addition to their on-site recycling, Green Earth also offers dumper rental services for big projects. Learn more about their residential services online or by calling (540) 801-8668.