Recycling isn’t just about tossing your plastic bottle into the right bin and hoping for the best, it’s an entire world of transformation, where yesterday’s water bottle could be tomorrow’s plastic park bench.

‍

But not all recycled plastics are the same! Let’s take a look at some of the different types.

‍

1. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

PET is the A-lister of recycled plastics. Found in water bottles and food containers, it’s the most commonly recycled plastic, and for good reason, it can be turned into anything from new bottles to polyester fabric. So yes, your favourite yoga leggings might have once been a fizzy drinks bottle.

‍

‍Talk about a glow-up!

‍

2. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) 

This sturdy plastic is found in milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent containers. When recycled, it can be transformed into pipes, plastic lumber, and even playground equipment. So next time you're reliving your youth chilling on a swing in the park at 1am, thank an old milk jug for the support!

‍

3. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) 

PVC is a bit tricky, it’s found in pipes, credit cards, and vinyl flooring, but it’s not the easiest to recycle due to its chemical makeup. Still, with the right process, it can be repurposed into flooring, window frames, and even traffic cones.

‍

4. PS (Polystyrene) 

Popularly known as the stuff packaging peanuts are made out of, also known as Styrofoam, PS has a bad rep for being difficult to recycle (unless you eat the forbidden foam snacks)! Some innovative processes are finding ways to turn old foam packaging into insulation and even new plastic products. 

‍

Just in case it wasn’t clear, don’t eat the packaging ‘peanuts’! 

‍

The future is bright for plastic

With new technology and increased consumer awareness, the future of recycling looks promising. So next time you toss that bottle into the recycling bin, just imagine, maybe one day, it’ll come back to you. 

‍