What is the Process of Recycling Milk Jugs?

Plastic jugs are a common packaging for milk sold at grocery stores. Milk jugs are made from high density polyethylene (HDPE), and are commonly collected in residential recycling programs and reused in various products.

Collection

• Milk jugs are collected at recycling centers and curbside pickup programs. They are separated from the other materials and plastic resins. Milk jug are made of homopolymer HDPE and must be separated from copolymer HDPE plastics such as colored detergent bottles. They are then compacted into large bales and sold to plastic manufacturers for reuse.

Processing

• Bales of plastic are shredded at the plastic manufacturer. The shredded parts are washed in soap and water to remove dirt, impurities and labels from the plastic. The shredded plastic is then dried and stored in large boxes.

Reuse

• The shredded plastic is used in a hot mix, which is a combination of new and recycled plastic polymers. The flakes melt in the hot mix and bond with the other plastic. Finally, the hot mix is injected into molds of new products, such as bottles, plastic lumber and other products.