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Learn how to recycle plastics

Simply by knowing which plastics are valuable for recycling you can make a big difference to the environment, by reducing the amount of waste on our landfills and dumps and recycling plastics into useful commodities.

Battery recycling is not a matter of possibility. It comes down to the efforts you’re willing to take. Your ability to recycle will also depend on where you live and your closest designated drop-off point.

PLASTIC	USED IN	RECYCLED INTO
Polyethylene terephthalate	Cold drink and water bottles, plastic jars and clamshell packaging	Hollow fibre filling for jackets, duvets, pillows and sleeping bags is the main use for clear PET bottles in South Africa. Green bottles are turned into building insulation (Isotherm); PET is also recycled in geo-textiles for road stabilization and dam lings, and Plastiwood.
High-density polyethylene	Milk bottles, cleaning products, cosmetics and toiletries, crates and motor oils	Recycling bins, compost bins, buckets, detergent containers, posts, fencing, pipes, plastic timber and plastic chairs.
Polyvinyl chloride	Clear trays for foods and toiletries, clear bottles, pipes and gutters.	Gumboots, hangers
Low-density polyethylene	Rubbish bags, frozen veggie bags, building film, squeezable bottles and cosmetic tubs	Bin-liners, pallet sheets, irrigation piping, a variety of containers and construction and building film.
Polypropylene	Bottles, ice cream tubs, straws, micro-wave dishes, kettles, garden furniture, lunch boxes, packaging tape and bottle caps	Pegs, bins, pipes, pallet sheets, oil funnels, car battery cases and trays.
Polystyrene	Two kinds: high impact (eg. Coat hangers, yoghurt cups) and expanded (e.g. meat and vegetable trays)	Picture frames, curtain rails, finials, skirting boards, cornices, stationery e.g. rulers, seedling trays, coat hangers. Demand far outstrips supply in S.A.