Recycling is very necessary to cut down on waste as it helps in saving the environment. In Ontario, knowing which plastics are recyclable really cuts down on landfill waste. In effect, this can mean ensuring a sustainable future as well. This guide will surely help you navigate those better options for recycling of plastic materials and choose the best for plastic waste disposal.
Understanding Plastic Recycling in Ontario
Plastics are categorized by the resin identification code (RIC), which is a number from 1 to 7 placed inside the recycling symbol. Not all plastics are recyclable, although many common household plastic items can be recycled, making them efficient.
Plastics That Can Be Recycled in Ontario
Here are the main types of plastics that are accepted in Ontario’s recycling programs:
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) – RIC #1
- Found in Water bottles, soft drink bottles, and some food containers.
- Recyclability: Widely accepted. Used to make new recycling plastic bottles, polyester fabric, and food containers.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) – RIC #2
- Found in Milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent containers.
- Recyclability: Highly recyclable, turned into new bottles, piping, and plastic lumber.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – RIC #3
- Found in plastic pipes, medical tubing, and some packaging.
- Recyclability: Limited; check local programs for specific guidelines.
LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) – RIC #4
- Found in Shopping bags, bread bags, and some squeeze bottles.
- Recyclability: Some municipalities accept LDPE; consider returning plastic bags to retail stores for recycling.
PP (Polypropylene) – RIC #5
- Found in Yogurt containers, bottle caps, and straws.
- Recyclability: Increasingly accepted; check with your local program.
PS (Polystyrene) – RIC #6
- Found in: Foam cups, takeout containers, and packaging peanuts.
- Recyclability: Limited; best to avoid or reuse when possible.
Other (Mixed Plastics) – RIC #7
- Found in Multi-layered plastics, baby bottles, and some food packaging.
- Recyclability: Rarely accepted; check for specialized recycling programs.
How to Recycle Plastic in Ontario Effectively?
In order to ensure proper plastic recycling in Ontario, there are a number of steps that need to be followed.
- Remember to give containers a quick rinse when stashing them in the blue bin.
- Recycling rules vary from one community to the next, so inquire.
- Prevent contamination and recycle accurately – never put non-recyclable plastic with recyclable materials.
- Recycle any items not taken by retail representatives back to retail collection points.
Green Ontario with Re-Source Recycling
Creating a greener Ontario is something we can all do a little something to help out with. So choose wisely and recycle responsibly!
For more information on how to recycle plastic in Ontario, visit Re-Source Recycling.
