What are Plastics?
Plastics, or polymers, are made from crude oil, gas and coal. There are about 40 different plastics in use today.

A Plastics Identification Code or "tattoo" is stamped onto products to identify the polymer type. But the chasing arrow symbol around the number doesn't always mean it can be recycled - you should check with your local council to find out which plastics they accept for recycling, or go to Recycling Near You to find out more about your local council's recycling policy.

What happens to the plastic containers we put out for recycling?

Step 1 - Separation
Plastic containers are removed from the recycling stream and sorted into polymer types at the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF).

Step 2 - Baling and contaminant removal
Bales of different types of plastic are transported to factories for reprocessing where large contaminants are removed.

Step 3 - Processing
The plastics are either shredded, chopped or ground and then washed to remove further contaminants. The plastic is melted and pushed through an extruder, a bit like an old fashioned mincer or a spaghetti maker. It is then cooled and pressed through a die and chopped or pelletised into granules. It is then ready to be made into new products.

Facts

• Plastic was invented by Alexander Parkes in 1860.
• In 1997, 5.5% (by weight) of household garbage in Victoria was made up of plastics. (BIEC 1998).
• The Australian Plastics Industry began in Australia during WW1 when the first buttons were made.
• Over 1.5 million tonnes of plastic were consumed in Australia in 2006 but only 244,011 tonnes of plastic was reprocessed (PACIA 2006).
• Recycling PET bottles saves 84% of the energy it takes to make PET bottles from raw materials.
• PET soft drink bottles are either used in Australia to make bottles with 25% recycled content, or exported to be used in carpet, ecofleece and other synthetic fibre products.
• HDPE (milk and detergent) bottles are recycled into items such as plastic wheelie bins or outdoor furniture.
• Recycled plastic can also be used to make guide posts, building panels, railway sleepers, and chemical spill trays.
  
  Recycling Tips - Sort it, check it, keep it clean
  • Each council accepts different plastics for kerbside recycling, so check the bottom of your containers and make sure that the tattoo matches the council brochure information. If in doubt call your council or go to Recycling Near You.
  • Remove all lids and caps and throw them into the garbage - they are made from a different plastic to the container and can't be recycled.
  • If your recycling is separated into containers and paper/cardboard, make sure the plastic containers go in with the other containers.
  • Empty and rinse the containers to remove any residue.
  • Do not put plastic containers inside one another or inside other containers such as metal cans - they won't be sorted properly at the Materials Recycling Facility.
  • Plastic bags, plastic household items such as toys, baskets and food packages, personal hygiene products and confectionery wrappers cannot be recycled through the kerbside bin.
  • Contaminated plastic and other medical waste (such as syringes and colostomy bags) require a specialised service. Check with your GP, community nurses or council to find out what is available in your area or go to 'What to do with Medical Waste'
    
    Reuse
    Some plastic containers can be used several times, for example:
    • Plastic bags as bin liners;
    • Ice cream containers for storing and freezing food; and
    • Soft drink bottles for storing water in the car.  Once you have reused plastic bottles a few times, place them in your recycle bin. Plastics break down over time and exposure to sun, so drinking bottles should only be reused a few times before disposing of them reponsibly.
      
      Reduce
      Avoid using plastic products that cannot be recycled or reused such as plastic bags, packaging and single-use disposable products.
      
      NSW Plastics Recycling
      In 2006 around 49,596 tonnes of plastic was recycled in NSW.
      In 2005 in Australia, more than 1.3 million tonnes of plastics were produced, with almost 244,011 tonnes being recycled.  This represents a 18.7% recycle rate (up from 12.5% in 2004).
      Victoria recycles more than 45.7% of its plastic, with NSW recycling more than 28%.
      
      Close the Loop and Buy It Back!
      There's no point in recycling if we don't buy back the products made from recycled materials. The next time you go shopping remember that some plastic containers have recycled content, and others are recyclable. Always read the labels and check the tattoos to make sure they match with your recycling service.
      
      Sources:
      WSN Environmental Solutions
      
      Department of Environment and Climate Change
      
      Department of the Environment and Water Resources
      
      National Plastics Recycling Survey
      
      Planet Ark
      
      Plastics and Chemicals Industry Association (PACIA)
      
      Recycling Near You
      
      Visy Industries