Plastic recycling takes care of only two percent of all the plastic used every year. Even with plastic recycling factories in place all over the world, the impact of recycling is not as big as environmental agencies would like it to be. Because more and more plastics make their way into our life everyday, the importance of plastic recycling is even more urgent. Plastic is now used in everything from credit cards to food wraps.

There are seven types of plastic that can be recycled, which adds to the complication. Some plastics can only be recycled in certain plants, while others are more easily reused. Plastic recycling can mean anything from melting down the plastic to obtain polymer (fibers) to cutting parts to turn them into different objects. The seven groups in which plastic can be divided include:

• Group 1: beverage/soda bottles, mouthwash containers
  
• Group 2: milk jugs, detergent/shampoo/cleaner bottles
  
• Group 3: cooking oil bottles
  
• Group 4: grocery and produce bags, food wrap
  
• Group 5: yogurt containers, margarine tubs
  
• Group 6: food trays, hot beverage cups, egg cartons
  
• Group 7: anything else made of plastic, as long as there are no mixes from two different groups above

  Not all plastics can be recycled, so many of them end up in landfills. When it comes to plastic recycling, plants have very specific rules to follow. First, they examine the containers to make sure there is no foreign material present, such as labels and rocks, and that the group numbers match. A special machine then chops the containers into small pieces or flakes, after which they are washed and dried, before being melted in a special extruder. After filtering and cleaning, the flakes are then compressed into pellets, which is what the recycling plant sells to companies who make products of recycled plastic.

  Plastic recycling has become a great way to obtain raw material to build window frames and flooring, garden furniture, building insulation, office accessories, and filling for sleeping bags. Some companies are experimenting with creating toys, building equipment, and even clothes using recycled plastic.