In general, black plastic cannot be recycled, yet 63% of Americans believe that it can be. Although sometimes labeled with a recycling symbol, or even the numbers “1” and “2”, black plastic is generally not recycled in New York State.
Here’s why:
1. Black plastics blend in with conveyor belts and do not reflect light which means that they cannot be identified and sorted by the optical scanners used at recycling facilities.
2. There is currently no market for recycled black plastic. Black plastic cannot be recycled into any other color plastic which decreases its value as a material.
Not only is black plastic tricky to recycle but it can also be a threat to our health. A great deal of black plastic is manufactured using electronic waste or e-waste. E-waste often contains toxic elements such as bromine, chromium, and lead. This can be troubling for humans especially if e-waste is being recycled into items that we come into close contact with, such as single-use food packaging, like to-go containers and coffee cup lids. The next time you come across black plastic, consider how you can avoid it.
Where we see black plastic: | What we can use instead: |
Drink Stirrers | Wooden Stirrers, Metal Spoon |
Utensils | Reusable Utensils |
Coffee Cup Lids | Reusable Mug |
Hairbrushes | Bamboo Hairbrush |
Coffee Pods | Reusable Coffee Pods |
Plant Pots | Glass or Ceramic plant pots |
Clothing Hangers | Wooden Hangers |
Adapted from @RecycleRightNY resources.