Large-Volume Plastic Recycling: Common FAQs From Commercial Customers

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Hello, my name’s Mark Lindon. I have to admit that I wasn't always the “greenest” person. I was even known to take a risk and litter once in awhile. However, I started to study the effects of waste on our environment and energy, and I was appalled. I found myself reading and absorbing as much information as I could on the subject. Where I live, recycling isn't a requirement. This makes me mad; it should be a requirement everywhere! I sat my wife and three children down and talked about the importance of recycling. I explained that if we spread the word, we would make a difference in the world. My kids were particularly excited about this concept. Along with their friends, they started encouraging people to have separate bins for their recycle goods. I’m going to share more about this for you.

Large-Volume Plastic Recycling: Common FAQs From Commercial Customers

8 January 2020
 Categories: , Blog


When you have an industrial or manufacturing company that has a high volume of plastic waste, finding a good plastic recycling company is always an important thing. Here is a look at some of the questions you may have about large-volume plastic recycling. 

Can you get money for recyclable plastic?

Some companies do offer to pay you for certain types of plastic if they are in high demand in the manufacturing industry. For example, soda bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, which is a type of plastic that is in high demand because of the popularity of these products. Therefore, if your company has a large volume of recyclable PET plastic, you may be paid for it. 

What does it mean if a company works with international contacts?

Some plastic products are more in demand in international locations. Therefore, some plastic recycling companies do work with international contacts to recycle the plastic that clients provide. Typically, finding a company that works with international contacts is a good thing because it means the company will be able to accept a greater range of plastic products and they may offer payment for certain types of plastics.  

What types of plastic are recyclable?

Numerous types of plastic are recyclable, even though not every company will willingly accept all types of plastic waste. Some of the most commonly recycled types of plastic include: 

  • low-density polyethylene
  • high-density polyethylene
  • polypropylene
  • polystyrene
  • PET
  • engineering-grade plastics 

Since the types of plastic a company can accept can vary, it is always good to make a list of the plastic types you intend to recycle before you reach out to different companies to find out how they can help you out. 

How does single-stream plastic recycling work?

Single-stream plastic recycling means you can put all types of plastic in a single receptacle; it does not have to be separated before the recycling company picks up the material or you take it to the recycling center. For manufacturers that have a high volume of plastic waste of different types, single-stream can be a highly efficient way to contain items. 

Will the company require plastic to be in bails?

All recycling companies will have different requirements about how the plastic should be if they will be picking it up. Some companies do prefer plastic to be bailed for easy handling and storage, but this is actually less common than simply requiring the plastic to be housed in large containers. Look for plastic recyclers near you for more information.