UPDATE: NYC is undertaking a new waste characterization study. This summer, we will have new statistics to update the table below based on what is in the waste stream in 2012/13. The information about markets below will also be updated to reflect the current market environment.
In 2004/05, the average New Yorker discarded 107 pounds of different plastic items each year. The table below shows the different plastics NYC residents discarded, and which ones were targeted for collection in NYC at that time.
This table was calculated from the NYC Department of Sanitation's detailed and in-depth 2004-05 Residential and Street Basket Waste Characterization Study. Because of the complexity and importance of plastics, plastic waste was sorted into nineteen separate categories and, where possible, quantified by resin and molding method.
Different Types of Plastics NYC Residents Discard
Figures refer to pounds set out for collection at the curb, per capita, per year;
based upon 2004-05 waste characterization study results,
applied to fiscal year 2009 curbside refuse and recycling tonnages
and 2008 Census population estimates for NYC. |
Resin Code | Name | Molding Method | Common Product Examples | Pounds Discarded (annually per NYC resident) | Accepted for Recycling in NYC | Market Status |
1
PETE | polyethelene
terephlalate | blow molding | soda & water bottles | 9.05 | yes | high |
2
HDPE | high density
polyethylene | blow molding | milk jugs, detergent bottles | 7.01 | yes | high |
3
PVC | polyvinyl chloride | blow molding | household cleaner & shampoo bottles | 0.10 | yes | weak(a) |
4
LDPE | low density
polyethylene | blow molding | soft-sided juice bottles | 0.04 | yes | weak(a) |
5
PP | polypropylene | blow molding | various bottles & jugs | 0.14 | yes | weak(a) |
7
OTHER | any other type of plastic | blow molding | various bottles & jugs | 0.53 | yes | weak(b) |
1
PETE | polyethelene
terephlalate | injection molding | deli containers | 0.04 | no | weak(c) |
2
HDPE | high density
polyethylene | injection molding | yogurt cups, margarine tubs, take-out containers | 0.40 | no | weak(c) |
3
PVC | polyvinyl chloride | injection molding | various tubs & trays | 0.01 | no | weak(c) |
4
LDPE | low density
polyethylene | injection molding | various tubs & trays | 0.03 | no | weak(d) |
5
PP | polypropylene | injection molding | yogurt cups, margarine tubs | 1.29 | no | weak(c) |
7
OTHER | any other type of plastic | injection molding | various tubs & trays | 0.29 | no | none(e) |
2
HDPE or 4 LDPE or no code | may be one of
many different
types of resins | extrusion | shopping & grocery bags | 20.51 | no | weak(f) |
6
PS
or no code | polystyrene (nonexpanded) | injection molding | clear deli
clamshells, CD cases, tamper-proof packaging | 1.83 | no | weak(c) |
none | polystryene
(expanded), also known as
styrofoam | extrusion | packing peanuts, mail order packaging, cups, plates, clamshells | 4.03 | no | weak(c) |
none | other rigid
packaging | injection molding (usually) | caps, lids, strapping, crates | 5.74 | no | none(g) |
none | single-use plastics | blow or injection molding | disposable cups, plates & cutlery | 3.85 | no | none(h) |
none | all other plastic
durables | injection molding (usually) | hardware, toys, housewares | 15.96 | no | none
(i) |
none | other film plastic | extrusion | garbage & dry cleaner bags, baggies, wraps & wrappers | 35.70 | no | none(k) |
total all plastics
discarded annually per resident: | 106.54 lbs |
Notes:
(a) There are weak markets for these plastic bottles and jugs due to the tiny amount in the waste stream, but they were designated for recycling in NYC in order to maximize the return of #1 and #2 plastic bottles and jugs which are very marketable.
(b) There are no markets for these plastic bottles and jugs because #7 refers to a wide range of different resins, but it is designated for recycling in NYC in order to maximize the return of #1 and #2 plastic bottles and jugs which are very marketable.
(c) There are weak markets for these type of plastics when commingled with other plastics, but occasional markets when kept clean, separate, and recovered via take-back programs.
(d) There are weak markets for this type of plastic due to the tiny amount in the waste stream.
(e) There are no markets for this type of plastic because #7 refers to a wide range of different resins.
(f) There are weak markets for this type of plastic when commingled with other plastics, but markets exist for clean, dry shopping bags that people can return to retailers for recycling under the NY plastic bag recycling law.
(g) There are no markets for this type of plastic due to variations in resins and molding method. In other cities' programs that accept #1-7 tubs & trays, these items lead to high contamination rates because they resemble numbered tubs and trays.
(h) There are no markets for this type of plastic due to variations in resins and molding method, and high contamination with food and drink residues.
(i) There are weak markets for some of these plastics, and no markets for others. Generally, marketability of non-numbered plastics is problematic because plastic type cannot be identified.
(k) There are no markets for mixed film plastics found in residential waste. Some material recovery facilities can sort out and market the clear plastic bags used for setout of recyclables. Dry cleaner bags and clean garbage/recycling bags can also be returned to retailers for recycling under the NYS plastic bag recycling law.
ALSO SEE:
what to recycle with sanitation
what happens to nyc's recyclables
what's in nyc's waste: pie charts
focus on residential plastics (pdf)
recycling stats
back to top | back to recycling plastics in nyc | back to all about plastics
Quantities of Different Plastics in NYC's Waste
