Visit Greenstore Today!

Browse > Home / Recycle / Plastics Recycling

Plastics Recycling

December 8, 2008 by  
Filed under Recycle

Leave a comment

In Singapore, 684,400 tonnes of plastic waste was generated in 2008 and the recycling rate is 9%. Plastic waste, especially plastic bottles and containers, are usually sorted, baled and exported overseas for recycling. There are also plastic recycling companies in Singapore that sort and process plastic waste into small pellets to be used as feedstock for making plastics products.

Let’s take a closer look at plastics recycling:

1. Types of Plastics for Recycling

Plastic waste can be divided into pre-consumer and post-consumer plastic waste. Pre-consumer plastic waste are plastic scraps generated by companies during the manufacturing of products. These plastics are usually easier to recycle as they are clean and homogeneous.

Post-consumer plastic waste are generated by the consumers after use. These plastics are usually not favored by recyclers as they are difficult to collect, easily contaminated with food, and not homogeneous.

There are many types of plastics in the market. To make sorting and recycling easier, The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) in the United States developed the SPI resin identification code to provide a standard marking code for consumers to identify the main types of plastics.

It is quite common to find this identification code on plastic bottles and products. There are seven types of plastic codes:

1. PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) – Used for water bottles, soft drink and cooking oil bottles, and meal trays.

2. HDPE (High density polyethylene) – Used for milk and detergent bottles.

3. PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) – Used for plastic pipes, food trays, shrink wrap, and bottles.

4. LDPE (Low density polyethylene) – Used for plastic bags and bin liners.

5. PP (Polypropylene) – Used for bottle caps, margarine tubs, and meal trays.

6. PS (Polystyrene) – Used for food containers, egg cartons, vending cups, plastic cutlery, and protective packaging for electronic goods.

7. OTHER – Includes any other plastic that does not fall into the above categories.

2. Why Recycle Plastics

By recycling plastics, we reduce the environmental impacts associated with the production and disposal of plastics. The production of plastics requires significant quantities of non-renewable fossil fuels and according to Waste Online:

It is estimated that 4% of the world’s annual oil production is used as a feedstock for plastics production and an additional 3-4% during manufacture.

Plastics are non-biodegradable and takes hundreds of years to break down. When they are landfilled, they take up landfill space. When they are incinerated, they release carbon dioxide and potential toxic gases such as dioxins.

3. The Plastics Recycling Process

At the plastics recycling plant, plastic waste are sorted according to their type and colour manually, by optical sensors or by a flotation process. The sorted plastics are shredded, washed and then melted to produce strands of plastics. The strands are cut into small pellets, which are used as feedstock for making new plastics products.

Watch this animation video on the plastics recycling process from RecycleBank:

YouTube Preview Image

4. Recycled Plastic Products

Depending on the type of plastics, the recycled plastic pellets can be used to make a wide range of plastic products such as plastic bags, containers, trays, pipes, CD cases, garden furniture, carpets, and clothing.

5. Plastics Recycling in Singapore

In Singapore, 684,400 tonnes of plastic waste was generated in 2008 and the recycling rate is 9%. Pre-consumer and post-consumer plastic waste are usually collected by the plastics collectors and traders, and through the recycling programmes.

For pre-consumer plastics, there are plastic recycling companies in Singapore that sort and process these waste into small pellets to be used as feedstock for making plastics products. Pre-consumer plastic waste are also sorted and exported overseas for recycling.

Common types of post-consumer plastics that are collected include PET and HDPE bottles and containers, which are sorted, baled and exported overseas for recycling.

6. Collectors, Traders and Recycling Companies for Plastics

To find a recycling collector or someone who wants your plastic waste, you can use our online business waste exchange, Waste is not Waste. We connect businesses and organisations that generate waste materials with those who want the materials, thus helping both parties save time and money while helping the environment.

Visit Waste is not Waste to learn more about us, the benefits and how it works. Remember that waste is not waste, but potential resources to be used again.

7. What Can I Do

You can recycle plastics through the various recycling programmes at home, in school and your office, or through the public recycling bins in your neighbourhood. But before you do so, remember to minimise your plastic waste by Reduce and Reuse.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related Content

Environmental Consultancy for SMEs by Green Future Solutions

Comments

41 Comments on "Plastics Recycling"

  1. Fiona Neo on Tue, 17th Nov 2009 9:03 am 

    Not all materials are easily understood. Recycle bin normally put pictures like drinking bottle, glass, newspaper as guildlines. How about egg plastic container, small ones like yakult drink bottle, or even shampoo container.. is it recyceable?
    Maybe town council can help with its magazine with a series of feature on all this so that more people are aware of it.. giving more examples from our daily usage of grocery stuff what can be placed in the bin

  2. Eugene on Wed, 25th Nov 2009 5:40 pm 

    Hi Fiona, we agree with you. We have plans to do something about that, see http://www.zerowastesg.com/2009/09/23/can-recycle/. Most likely will start the section on Can Recycle? beginning next year.

  3. Sam on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 12:28 am 

    Hi, in terms of plastic bag, is there any fully bio-degradable ones available in the market? I dont see people start using plastic bag, thus the only solution i see is to use 100% bio-degradable plasitc bag…

  4. Eugene on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 5:43 pm 

    Hi Sam, yes there are biodegradable bags in the market. Eg http://www.winrigo.com.sg/index.html and http://bioplastics.com.sg/.

  5. Sam on Mon, 3rd May 2010 10:09 pm 

    Hi Eugene,

    Thanks for the reply but why is it that these 100% biodegradable plastic bags are not very popular? Is there any tax incentive if a company adopt any green initiative?

  6. Eugene on Tue, 4th May 2010 1:38 pm 

    Even if you use biodegradable bags, they are still disposed and burned at the incineration plants. The best way is still to reduce the use of plastic bags and use reusable bags.

    There’s no tax incentives for general green efforts but there are various funding and incentives for specific programmes, see the list at http://www.greenbusinesstimes.com/2009/08/06/the-green-business-times-guide-to-30-singapore-government-funding-and-incentives-for-the-environment/.

  7. Edward on Mon, 31st May 2010 5:25 pm 

    Hi Eugene,
    Is there any online portal or website that provides information on how the overuse of plastic affects specifically Singapore?

  8. Eugene on Thu, 3rd Jun 2010 11:23 am 

    Hi Edward, you can go to http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/ and search for news related to plastics in Singapore.

  9. ET on Thu, 24th Jun 2010 2:23 pm 

    I agree with Eugene that most plastic bags are still going to the incinerators in Singapore, as we have a relatively good waste management system in place in Singapore. However, not all 100% of those litters will be correctly disposed off, there will still be a percentage of plastic litters going around in the environment.

    For eg; We all know that Singapore is well known for tourism. If the tourists bring the non-degradable plastic bags or packaging back to their country and anyhow dispose them (in drains, on the road, into the ocean etc), what will happen? That will add on to their level of ‘White Pollution’ even though it is not happening here in SG. Should we also spent a thought on that aspect?

    There’re many so-called 100% degradable bags or packaging in the market right now. Typically, you will see Starch based or Hydro-degradable type (made of Polylactic Acid PLA), and the Oxo-biodegradable type. What are the differences between these two types and how can consumer know which one should be preferred?

    Another point to note, even though if the plastic bags or packaging have prints that mentioned “This is a 100% Biodegradable Bag”, how do we know if the statement is true about that particular bag? We have seen bags in the market which have that sentence print but upon 3rd party testing, it didn’t break down at all… interesting? :)

    So, to all consumers and fellow earth-lovers, choose wisely.

    ;)

    - ET

  10. Ange on Sat, 17th Jul 2010 12:42 am 

    I have a bunch of bottles left from the liquid soap, shampoo and insecticide I bought. Is there a place to discard them or they are considered too ‘toxic’ for recycling?

  11. Eugene on Mon, 19th Jul 2010 10:34 am 

    Hi Ange, rinse the bottles first before putting them into the recycling bags or bins

  12. Archie Hill on Wed, 21st Jul 2010 2:56 am 

    we always put garden furnitures made of hardwood in our backyard garden..”~

  13. Mr Mubarak on Thu, 4th Nov 2010 10:05 am 

    hi there! im doing a project for a unit regarding plastic recycle and environmental awareness. Part of my progress requires the estimated price for the whole plastic recycling process per annum. i would really appreciate if u can give me the quotation, this would really help a lot in my progress… thank you.

  14. pat on Mon, 8th Nov 2010 2:41 pm 

    So, I want to recycle my used plastics, and I dedicate a bin in my house for that, but where do I go to ensure that the plastic I collected really go into recycling? There is a recycling bin downstairs where I live, but the 3 bins are always rummaged through by an uncle who collects these as well (I’m not sure where he brings them to).

  15. Eugene on Mon, 8th Nov 2010 3:45 pm 

    Hi Pat, if you’re staying in HDB estates, you can use the recycling bag or bin provided by the recycling collectors. The plastic items collected will be sent to the recycling plant for sorting and likely to be exported for recycling.

  16. pat on Mon, 8th Nov 2010 11:23 pm 

    thanks eugene.. however, this particular uncle will always get to the bins first before the collectors, so i’m not entirely sure they reach the recycling plant… Anyhow, I’m still going to take the effort to separate my trash

  17. Eugene on Tue, 9th Nov 2010 1:12 pm 

    Hi Pat, even if the uncle gets it first, he will likely sell it to the traders who will send it to the recycling plant or sell it directly to overseas.

  18. Dorothy Yap on Mon, 29th Nov 2010 9:07 am 

    I am pissed and sad with the recycling programme set by gov agencies that come every month end for exchange. Get to know since May 2010 then I start try to collect all from my home plastic … I have a lot ranging from milk, detergents, hand cream bottles etc. I hv asked my helper to wash clean and dry up. But then the condense will built up in it. I asked my brother to collect all the ice bags and we have alot … I even drive all the way from my home with all the recycle stuffs in my van. I even threw some super dirty recycl stuffs away. I took some out from my van and went up to them and said I have alot coming. At first, she said plastic bags cannot be recycle, I told her according to the web that can be recycle. Then she said oh plastic with water cannot be recycle. I told her fine as to let her minus out the water weight as much as she like but she still say NO TO ME. Hello … I have so many plastic bottles with some hv condense so meaning cannot be recycle. PLASTIC WITH WATER CANNOT BE RECYCLE????? So meaning all the plastic throw inside the bins with water cannot be recycle??? Is the campaign just for show … my hubby actually say that I am going to waste my effort and that proven he is right. He is simply laughing at my hard work. Frankly speaking … moving around the plastic and keeping them clean is also very tiring. Or because I am young … the exchange is only for old people. Is just for fun for god sake. I had become a busybody and hard up for the biscuit which cost only maybe max S$2/- for a 20kg load. I have more than 20kg load … that is no fun to move the stuffs around. Sad to say I have to move all to my van again. Effort is all being wasted …

  19. Dorothy Yap on Mon, 29th Nov 2010 9:09 am 

    The campaign is really a joke

  20. zhenwei on Fri, 3rd Dec 2010 12:38 pm 

    hey hi,
    Does anyone knows if those type of plastic sheets that covers our magazines, toys, newly bought files, etc can be recycled? If yes, who and how can the plastic sheets be passed to? If anyone have an answer, do email me, thanks! =)

  21. Eugene on Mon, 6th Dec 2010 10:19 am 

    Hi Dorothy, the monthly exchange is conducted by the recycling collectors and not really a government campaign. Unfortunately, some collectors are more selective on the type of recyclables that they accept.

  22. Eugene on Mon, 6th Dec 2010 10:23 am 

    Hi Zhenwei, yes the plastic sheets can be recycled. Just put them into your recycling bags/bins under the National Recycling Programme.

  23. Dorothy Yap on Mon, 13th Dec 2010 10:15 am 

    Hi! Eugene … I think is either by RC or Town Council … with the recycling ppl. I am pretty sure stuffs I collected can be recycle. Like shampoo / detergent / cosmestic bottles, water bottles, soft drink bottles, moisturer … in my household can generate so many plastic stuffs. The effort is not enough … I did not know that Tzuchi life need the recycle stuffs. I dumped all at that the dumpster after a few days I wrote in. Even the sweepers and cleaners also give me the dirty looks like what the hell. I have abt 50kg+ of plastic and I already weight them all. I done up so nicely too. I called some so called recycle companies up … sad to say those listed in NEA website are not plastic collectors. Only 1 is and he said they only collect from industrial … fed up. I even offer to send in, he said no. I think I have done my part and sad to say is in so much of my efforts all are in denial. We wash and dry the plastic and if the plastic is going to form condense vapour what can we do? Really dun tell me those send to the rubbish incinerator are very clean and without even a drop of water. I think is a pushing me away from here to there and there to no place. So if that is what so about the campaign of recycle … dun you think is a joke? The recycle bin is too small … for god sake is alway full and if rain that is so much water in it. Bleah tell me about no water to be suppose to be in the plastic … ha joke right and downright unethical. The effort is starting from May … till Oct and frankly is not easy … I even rode in my brother and aunt. My mum called me crazy.

  24. Eugene on Thu, 16th Dec 2010 12:42 pm 

    Hi Dorothy, try to see whether there are Tzu Chi recycling points near your place. They are doing a better job than those recycling collectors.

  25. XioNgmEow JieJie on Sun, 16th Jan 2011 9:50 am 

    Does #5 Plastic (Polypropylene) gets recycle seperately with other plastic material?

  26. Eugene on Tue, 18th Jan 2011 10:30 am 

    Post-consumer plastics are usually collected together and sorted at the plant before recycling or for exporting.

  27. chellam senthil kumar on Fri, 28th Jan 2011 11:56 pm 

    hai sir,i am working in singapore everdy manufauring pt ltd,

  28. XioNgmEow JieJie on Fri, 11th Feb 2011 11:23 pm 

    We do have a bin for recycling stuff but unfortunately, it’s not one of those that seperates paper from plastc, cans,etc. It’s one big bin whereby anyone with recycling items may throw in it. Do you think this works? At the end of the day, will there be someone separating them? What do you think?

  29. Eugene on Sat, 12th Feb 2011 3:01 pm 

    Hi, the recyclables from the mixed recycling bin would still be sorted and recycled by the recycling collector.

  30. Nadya on Tue, 12th Apr 2011 8:44 pm 

    I would like to know whether those plastic containers used for takeaway food need to be completely cleaned before i can put them in the recycling bin. It’s not easy to remove all the oil from these plastic containers, i usually have to wash them at least twice with detergent before the oil completely gets washed off. I began to wonder if all the detergent i use and all the water i waste to wash them may do more damage than if i just throw the oiler containers away, but my mother says it’s not necessary to have these containers completely cleaned before we put them in the recycling bin, just a cursory rinse to have the food particles washed away will do. is that true?

  31. steven YEO on Wed, 27th Apr 2011 9:30 am 

    I have very clean and unused 90,000 PVC plastic files for recyclying. Please advise which compamy will buy my PVC plastic files? HELP! urgent please. thanks

  32. Eugene on Wed, 27th Apr 2011 11:13 am 

    Hi Nadya, would be good to just rinse those containers that are not too oily. For containers that are too hard to wash off the food and oil stains, better to dispose of them.

  33. Eugene on Wed, 27th Apr 2011 11:27 am 

    Hi steven, you can list your material at Waste is not Waste, our new online business waste exchange – http://www.wasteisnotwaste.com/. We connect businesses and organisations that generate waste materials with those who want the materials, thus helping both parties save time and money while helping the environment.

  34. samsiah on Thu, 2nd Jun 2011 8:02 am 

    Hi…is there anyone knows where to buy recycle detergent bottle about 250 ml? We would like to purchase for our school project. If do please email me. Thanks

  35. Gan Jia Jin on Thu, 2nd Jun 2011 10:02 am 

    Hi

    I need 50-60 plastic bottles (recycled ones) with nozzles of about 250 ml for my school project. Could you tell me where I can buy them? Need them soon.

  36. Eugene on Sun, 5th Jun 2011 10:46 am 

    Hi samsiah, you may wish to check with the plastic collectors at http://app2.nea.gov.sg/topics_collectrade.aspx.

  37. Eugene on Sun, 5th Jun 2011 10:46 am 

    Hi Jia Jin, you may wish to check with the plastic collectors at http://app2.nea.gov.sg/topics_collectrade.aspx.

  38. Hendry on Fri, 26th Aug 2011 12:08 pm 

    Hi, i am wondering where can I get a waste plastic that has been sorted and baled and ready for exporting? thank

  39. Eugene Tay on Sat, 27th Aug 2011 10:40 am 

    @Hendry, you can check with the collectors at http://app2.nea.gov.sg/topics_collectrade.aspx

  40. HAS on Thu, 22nd Sep 2011 10:01 am 

    Hi! Just wondering, when I recycle plastics, I did not separate them according to their number. So, when the recycling company collects them, do they separate the plastics manually or mechanically?

  41. Eugene Tay on Fri, 23rd Sep 2011 9:51 am 

    @HAS, most recycling companies sort the plastics manually.

Tell us what you're thinking.