How are plastic containers recycled?
At the material recovery facility (MRF), workers sort the plastics by the different types, then, as with most other recyclable materials, the containers are compressed into bales. When a sufficient number of bales has been made, the plastic containers are sold to market (a plastic recycler) and shipped by truck. When delivered to a plastic recycler, the plastic containers are ground into flakes, washed, dried and melted to form pellets from which new products are formed. Plastic packages do get recycled into new products PETE #1 and HDPE #2 are the most common plastic containers collected in municipal recycling programs. One of the largest uses of recycled PETE bottles is fibre for carpets, blankets, insulation for ski jackets and sleeping bags, fleece outerwear and other clothing. For instance, 25 recycled two-litre PETE bottles are used to make a sweater. Thirty-five recycled two-litre bottles are used to make enough fibrefill for a sleeping bag. Recycled HDPE bottles are used to mak
