Recycling packaging might not seem like a big deal. It can be easy to toss your packaging into the blue bin without a second thought, but did you know not all packaging is equally recyclable?
In this post, we’re going to give you some tips to think about when deciding where your packaging goes. Read on to learn more!
Identify Your Material
The first step in properly disposing of your packaging is to figure out what it’s actually made of! Most paper products are recyclable (more on that later), but not all plastic are equally recyclable. There are 7 types of plastic that you’ll see in everyday life:
| Plastic Number | Type of Plastic | Examples of use |
| 1 | Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE) | Single use beverage bottles, salad dressings, vegetable oil bottles |
| 2 | High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) | Milk cartons, detergent bottles, toys, rigid pipes |
| 3 | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl) | Plumbing pipes, credit cards, toys, IV fluid bags, medical tubes |
| 4 | Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) | Plastic wrap, sandwich bags, beverage cup liners, squeezable bottles |
| 5 | Polypropylene (PP) | Hot food containers, bottle caps, packaging tape, straws, clear cups |
| 6 | Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam) | Cups, takeout food containers, cutlery |
| 7 | Other | Electronics, DVD/CDs, clear plastic cutlery |
PET (1) and HDPE (2) are the most commonly recyclable types of plastic. For any other types that you’re not sure about, check with your local recycling facility!
Check For Lamination
Packaging can sometimes have a laminate finish for aesthetic purposes! These finishes are achieved using a separate plastic film that is not recyclable. Packaging that has lamination will often have a matte or glossy finish, making them easy to identify. Before you discard any items that have lamination, peel the plastic laminate off! You might be wondering: how is this my issue? Won’t the recycling facility do this? The answer is no! Most recycling and waste facilities do no have the equipment to process laminated items.
Remove Any Fabric
Fabric isn’t always a part of our packaging, but we often see it in places like handles for paper bags! These fabric handles are not recyclable (at least not in your blue bin!) so ensure their removal before you recycle! Some luxury rigid boxes might also have a satin or velvet lining, so make sure you’re also checking for this before you toss your packaging.
De-Stick Your Packaging
If your packages come with any labels, tape or stickers, make sure you remove them before tossing your items in the blue bin! Adhesives can stick the machinery during the recycling process, making it more difficult to process your packaging.
TIP: Having trouble removing a label from glass? Soak the glass in some warm soapy water to loosen the adhesive!
Why Should I Be Recycling My Packaging?
Packaging waste is one of the largest waste categories worldwide. Here at LeKAC, we strive to offer eco-friendly packaging alternatives, and that oftentimes means encouraging our clients to make the switch to more easily recyclable packaging! By recycling, we reduce the need for new resources to be taken from our environment and can give our products a more circular life cycle.
Looking to make the switch to more eco-friendly alternatives? Contact us today for a free consultation! If you’re still unsure what is and isn’t recyclable, remember to check with your local waste management facility to see what the best approach is! Some cities like Toronto even have searchable databases that can tell you where your items can be disposed!
