2020 California Consumer Plastic Recycling Survey
The purpose of the survey is to document and analyze credible data to enable Californians to make effective decisions to reduce plastic waste and improve recycling. The information was found in the public domain in July 2020. Traceable links to the sources of the data are provided. The information has been peer-reviewed by waste and recycling experts. Submission of new data and revisions to referenced data is welcomed. Please send information to lastbeachcleanup@gmail.com Surveys and data shown on full screen devices only.
Which Consumer Plastic Waste Items are Recyclable in California?
Is the item worth collecting, sorting & processing into a new product? Does it have sufficient value?
Survey Results
Yes: Recyclable in CA
Survey: Acceptance of Plastic Item by California Municipal Material Recovery Facilities
Collection and sortation of plastic waste are the first steps in the recycling process. A comprehensive survey of California's Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) was performed and 75 Residential Single Stream MRFs were identified. These 75 MRFs accept the contents of curbside recycle bins and separate materials into bales for sales to Plastic Waste Processors who then recycle the plastic into new resin or products.
Survey: Plastic Waste Generation and Processing Capacity in California
An accurate estimation of the capacity of plastic waste processors in California is necessary to determine the state's ability to recycle the plastic waste that it generates. Collection and sortation of plastic waste are only the first steps in the recycling process. If facilities do not exist to process the collected plastic into recycled materials, then the plastic cannot be recycled into new products. Overseas export of California's plastic waste to other countries is not responsible management. (Read more about the harms of plastic waste exports here). Other U.S. states, Mexico and Canada have limited processing capacity and are struggling to recycle their own plastic waste. Trucking California's plastic waste long distances to other U.S. states, Mexico or Canada for processing is not consistent with the state's commitment to reduce carbon emissions and minimize the impacts of climate change.
Survey: 2020 Plastic Waste Processing Capacity in California
***Note: The actual amount of plastic waste processed may be less than the Facility Capacity if there is a lack of buyers/orders for recycled plastic or if excessive contamination impacts process efficiency.
California's Exports of Plastic Waste
California exports more plastic waste to other countries than any other state. As described on our exports webpage, the social and environmental harms caused by plastic waste exports are clear. Non-OECD Countries are countries that lack adequate waste management infrastructure, environmental regulations and wage, age and other worker protections. California is currently exporting 8.6 million kg of plastic waste to Non-OECD Countries. Starting on 1/1/2021, these plastic waste exports will be restricted under the Basel Plastics Agreement and must stop. California and other states must take responsibility for their own plastic waste.
Item
Viable Market
Collection & Sortation at 75 CA MRFs
Processing Capacity
Recyclable in CA?
VIABLE MARKET
Is the item worth collecting, sorting & processing into a new product?
Does the waste have sufficient value?
COLLECTION & SORTATION
Is the item collected and sorted into single material bale by companies serving at least 75% of Californians?
PROCESSING CAPACITY
Are there enough production facilities in California with equipment to recycle the plastic waste into new pro​ducts?
RECYCLABILITY CRITERIA
SUMMARY: PLASTIC ITEM RECYCLABILITY IN CALIFORNIA
PET #1 Bottles
10-11 cents/lb
High: 100% Acceptance
High: 73% Processing
YES
HDPE #2 Bottles & Jugs
28-30 cents/lb Natural
5-7 cents/lb Color
High: 100% Acceptance
Moderate: 42% Processing
PET #1 Clamshells
Not Available
Low: 19% Acceptance
No Processing
NO
#2-7 Plastic Bags
Negligible: 1 cents/lb
Very Low: 7% MRF Acceptance,
Takeback Bins for "Store Dropoff" No Longer Required in CA & Very Few Stores Have Bins
Negligible Processing
NO
PP #5 Tubs (Containers with lids)
Negative:
-2 to 1 cents/lb
Mixed Plastics #3-7 Bale
Moderate: 63% Acceptance as Part of Mixed Plastics #3-7 Bale
Negligible Processing
NO
Polystyrene #6 Foam Food Service Packaging
Not Available
Very Low: 9% Acceptance
No Processing
NO
Plastic Cups
(typically PP#5 & PS#6)
Negative:
-2 to 1 cents/lb
Mixed Plastics #3-7 Bale
Low: 13% Acceptance
Negligible Processing
NO
YES
Plastic Plates
(typically PP#5 & PS#6)
Negative:
-2 to 1 cents/lb
Mixed Plastics #3-7 Bale
Very Low: 7% Acceptance
No Processing
NO
Plastic Trays & Bowls
(typically PP#5 & PS#6)
Negative:
-2 to 1 cents/lb
Mixed Plastics #3-7 Bale
Low: 21% Acceptance
Negligible Processing
NO
Plastic Cutlery, Straws & Stirrers
(typically PP#5 & PS#6)
Negative:
-2 to 1 cents/lb
Mixed Plastics #3-7 Bale
Negligible: 4% Acceptance
No Processing
NO
Plastic Food & Mailing Pouches, Wraps, Films
(typically PE #2, #4 or PP#5)
Negligible: 1 cents/lb
No MRF Acceptance,
Takeback Bins for "Store Dropoff" No Longer Required in CA & Very Few Stores Have Bins
No Processing
NO
Plastic Coffee Pods
(typically PP#5 & PS #6)
Negative:
-2 to 1 cents/lb
Mixed Plastics #3-7 Bale
No Acceptance
No Processing
NO