Not everything you put in the recycling bin gets recycled. Rates vary from 75 percent for aluminium to under 10 percent for plastic. This guide covers what actually happens to your recyclables.
Recycling rates by material
| Material | Global recycling rate |
|---|---|
| Aluminium (cans) | ~75% |
| Steel and iron | ~65 to 90% |
| Paper and cardboard | ~60 to 70% |
| Glass | ~30 to 60% (varies dramatically) |
| Plastic (all types) | Under 10% |
| PET plastic (bottles) | ~30% in developed markets |
| Electronic waste | Under 20% (formal) |
| Textiles | Under 15% |
Why metal recycling works
Aluminium and steel have strong economics. Recycling uses 5 to 20 percent of the energy of primary production. Both are homogeneous materials with established markets. Recycled aluminium is indistinguishable from primary.
Paper recycling
Paper has established recycling with clear markets. Contamination (food, plastic coatings) reduces value. Global paper recycling rates 60 to 70 percent, higher in developed markets.
Glass challenges
Glass technically recyclable indefinitely but often downcycled to aggregate or disposed. Weight and transportation cost reduce economics. Best recovered in bottle deposit systems.
The plastic problem
Plastic types
| Resin code | Type | Recycling status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (PET) | Bottles | Recyclable, active market |
| 2 (HDPE) | Jugs, some containers | Recyclable, active market |
| 3 (PVC) | Piping, some films | Rarely recycled |
| 4 (LDPE) | Films, bags | Limited recycling |
| 5 (PP) | Containers, caps | Growing markets |
| 6 (PS) | Styrofoam, cutlery | Rarely recycled |
| 7 (Other) | Mixed and biodegradable | Rarely recycled |
Contamination effects
Food residue, plastic bags, and non recyclable items reduce recycling stream value. High contamination can render an entire load unrecyclable.
Materials recovery facilities
MRFs sort mixed recycling into commodity streams. Automated sorting (screens, optical sorters, magnets) plus hand sorting. Modern MRFs recover 90 percent of clean recyclables. See our companion article on waste management and recycling system.
Downcycling
Recycled materials often become lower quality products. Plastic bottles to fibre; cardboard to lower grade paper. Downcycled materials often ultimately landfilled after next use.
Recycling markets
Recycled materials are commodities. Prices fluctuate with primary material prices, contamination, and demand. China National Sword policy (2018) disrupted global markets. Southeast Asia now dominates import markets with quality restrictions.
Chemical recycling
Chemical recycling breaks plastic back to monomer or feedstock. Emerging at commercial scale. Higher cost than mechanical recycling but handles contaminated and mixed plastic. Still limited scale.
Extended producer responsibility
EPR programmes shift cost of end of life management to producers. Encourages design for recyclability and higher recovery rates.
Deposit return schemes
DRS for bottles achieves 90+ percent return rates. Germany, Nordic countries, some US states, Australia have successful programmes. High material quality.
What consumers can do
- Reduce consumption first.
- Reuse where possible.
- Rinse containers before recycling.
- Do not put plastic bags in curbside recycling (return to store).
- Follow local rules (varies significantly).
- Consider deposit return schemes.
- Advocate for EPR and DRS.
Where recycling is going
- EPR expansion globally.
- Deposit return schemes.
- Chemical recycling scaling.
- Design for recyclability requirements.
- Reduced single use plastics.
- Circular economy transition.
Frequently asked questions
What percent of recyclables actually gets recycled?
Varies by material. Aluminium 75 percent; plastic under 10 percent.
Why is plastic recycling so low?
Multiple incompatible polymers, contamination, downcycling economics.
What is downcycling?
Recycled material becomes lower quality product; ultimately landfilled.
Should I still recycle plastic?
Yes for PET and HDPE bottles and jugs. Uncertain for other plastics.
What is chemical recycling?
Break plastic back to monomer or feedstock chemically.
Is compostable plastic recyclable?
No. Requires industrial composting facility.
Where does exported recycling go?
Southeast Asia primarily. Many restrictions.
Do deposit return schemes work?
Very well. 90+ percent return rates typical.
What can I do?
Reduce first, reuse, then recycle. Follow local rules.
Where can I read more?
Local recycling authority, EPA, EU commission.
Summary
Recycling rates vary dramatically by material. Aluminium and steel work well. Paper reasonably. Glass depends on system. Plastic mostly does not recycle in practice. Contamination and downcycling reduce economic viability. Deposit return schemes and EPR programmes achieve much higher recovery. Reduce and reuse before recycling. Chemical recycling is emerging as a potential solution for hard to recycle plastic.
Next reading
- Waste and recycling system
- Solid waste management
- How landfills work
- Browse the UtilityRadar directory
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