Should milk jugs be crushed before recycling? This is a common question that many people have when it comes to recycling plastic items. While crushing items may seem like a good idea to save space, it can actually have negative effects on the recycling process, especially when it comes to optical sorting technology.
One of the main reasons why it is not recommended to crush plastic items, such as milk jugs, before recycling is because it makes it harder for the optical sorting technology to properly sort them. Optical sorting technology relies on sensors and cameras to identify and separate different types of plastics. When plastic items are crushed, they lose their original shape and can become misidentified or mixed with other types of plastics. This can result in contamination of the recycling stream and reduce the efficiency of the sorting process.
I have personally experienced this issue when I used to work at a recycling facility. We would often receive crushed plastic containers, including milk jugs, and it was a challenge to properly sort them. Some of the crushed items would get misidentified and end up in the wrong recycling stream. This meant that they would either be sent to the wrong recycling process or, in worst cases, be considered as contaminants and end up in the landfill. It was a frustrating and time-consuming process to manually separate the crushed plastic items and ensure they were properly sorted.
Leaving plastic items in their original shape is crucial for the optical sorting technology to accurately identify and separate them. By doing so, plastic recyclables can be directed to the appropriate recycling process and be transformed into new products. This not only conserves valuable resources but also helps reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or oceans.
In addition to the sorting issue, crushing plastic items can also affect their overall value as recyclables. When plastic items are crushed, they may become less desirable to recycling facilities because they may be more difficult to process. This can result in lower prices for the recycled plastic, which can affect the economics of recycling and the viability of recycling programs.
To summarize, it is best to not crush plastic items, including milk jugs, before recycling. Leaving them in their original shape helps the optical sorting technology properly identify and separate them, reducing contamination and improving the efficiency of the recycling process. By doing so, we can ensure that plastic recyclables are turned into new products and contribute to a more sustainable future. So next time you go to recycle your plastic items, remember to leave them uncrushed and help support proper plastic recycling.