The amount of recycled plastics has increased every year. It is estimated that the United States' plastic waste in 2008 was 33.6 million tons, of which 2.2 million tons (6.3%) were recycled, 2.6 million tons (7.7%) were burned to produce energy, and 28.9 million tons (86%) went to landfills.

Approximately 25.1 million tons of plastic were generated in Europe, of which 59.1% were recovered (25.1% recycled and 34.1% energy recovered) and 40.9% was taken to disposal (landfill "Landfill (garbage)")[2]​.

The main plastics recovered are:

Due to the different molecular weights of their long polymer chains, plastics have a low mixing entropy. So when different types of plastic are mixed, they tend to separate into phase layers, like oil and water, so the types of plastics have to be identical to mix efficiently. The interfaces between phases cause weak structural points in the material obtained, so mixtures of different polymers have very few uses.

Another problem when recycling plastic is the use of dyes, fillers and other additives that are in plastics, they are generally very difficult to remove without damaging the plastic.

A final barrier is that many common small plastic items, such as plastic cutlery, do not have the universal triangle symbol and its corresponding number.

Five types of plastic polymer groups are used worldwide in the packaging and container industry,[3]​ each of them has specific properties (see attached table to better understand). Each plastic polymer group is identified by its Plastic Identification Code or PIC – usually a number or abbreviation. For example, Low-Density Polyethylene is identified by the number "4" or the letters "LDPE." The PIC is presented contained within a triangular symbol with three successive arrows. The symbol indicates whether a type of plastic can be recycled to obtain new products.

The PIC was created by the Plastics Industry Society, in order to have a uniform system for the identification of different types of polymers and to help recycling companies separate the different types of plastic for reprocessing. In some countries it is mandatory for manufacturers of plastic products to place PIC identifications.[4]​.

[1]​.

The amount of recycled plastics has increased every year. It is estimated that the United States' plastic waste in 2008 was 33.6 million tons, of which 2.2 million tons (6.3%) were recycled, 2.6 million tons (7.7%) were burned to produce energy, and 28.9 million tons (86%) went to landfills.

Approximately 25.1 million tons of plastic were generated in Europe, of which 59.1% were recovered (25.1% recycled and 34.1% energy recovered) and 40.9% was taken to disposal (landfill "Landfill (garbage)")[2]​.

The main plastics recovered are:

Due to the different molecular weights of their long polymer chains, plastics have a low mixing entropy. So when different types of plastic are mixed, they tend to separate into phase layers, like oil and water, so the types of plastics have to be identical to mix efficiently. The interfaces between phases cause weak structural points in the material obtained, so mixtures of different polymers have very few uses.

Another problem when recycling plastic is the use of dyes, fillers and other additives that are in plastics, they are generally very difficult to remove without damaging the plastic.

A final barrier is that many common small plastic items, such as plastic cutlery, do not have the universal triangle symbol and its corresponding number.

Five types of plastic polymer groups are used worldwide in the packaging and container industry,[3]​ each of them has specific properties (see attached table to better understand). Each plastic polymer group is identified by its Plastic Identification Code or PIC – usually a number or abbreviation. For example, Low-Density Polyethylene is identified by the number "4" or the letters "LDPE." The PIC is presented contained within a triangular symbol with three successive arrows. The symbol indicates whether a type of plastic can be recycled to obtain new products.

The PIC was created by the Plastics Industry Society, in order to have a uniform system for the identification of different types of polymers and to help recycling companies separate the different types of plastic for reprocessing. In some countries it is mandatory for manufacturers of plastic products to place PIC identifications.[4]​.

[1]​.