PLASTICS TO PAVEMENT RECYCLING PROGRAM
An Everyday Plastic
with No Everyday Solution
Plastic Can Holders are made of High Density Polyethylene (#2 HDPE), one of the more commonly accepted plastics in curbside recycling programs. Yet though they’re made of a recyclable material they are rarely picked up or read correctly by the sorting systems at Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs).
Due to the flat shape of the handles it raises the chances that they are not sorted correctly and don’t make it to the optical sorter, which is used to sort various plastics along with other items. “…Because the handles are so slim, they may flow with paper, cardboard, and other two-dimensional items, which creates a potential double-whammy: The plastic doesn’t get recovered, and it may contaminate whatever feedstock with which it’s been improperly sorted.” [VinePair]
The Black Plastic Paradox
Right Plastic, Wrong Color
This is especially true for black Plastic holders - coincidentally, the least expensive color of can holders - as black plastics in general have a harder time being recycled than most any other color [Science Focus]. MRFs use a light beam, close to infrared, that bounces off of plastics to identify and sort them. Unfortunately the technology has a low sensitivity to black and other dark colors, which absorb the light from infrared radiation and to not provide accurate identification for sorting.
Local Study
Plastic Can Holders Aren’t Picked up by MRF Tech
For these reasons, as found in a study by the EDCO Escondido MRF, “none of the black can toppers were able to be sorted by the optical and likely ended up on the residual line headed for the landfill” while “the green ones were picked up by the optical sorter about 50% of the time”. Due to the low recyclability of this material’s shape & color combo, compounded with how commonplace they have become as a beverage holder, plastic beverage handles are one of the top materials we aim to divert.
We Do What the MRF Can’t
& Partner with Local Businesses to Collect Plastic Can Holders
Customers return Plastic Can Holders to the store takeback bins in their local brewery, restaurant, store, or organization.
They then transport the collected Plastic Can Holders to one of our collaborative hubs.
At this point, Plastic Can Holders will be put through a grinder to turn them into a small, usable size for what is to come next.
The Solution
Plastic to Pavement
Plastic to Pavement diverts our collected & ground Plastic Can Holders to MacRebur Southern California, where they will use the small pieces along with other polymers and MacRebur’s secret method to create an alternative to some of the fossil fuel in asphalt!
Asphalt companies purchase the alternative to fossil fuel and consumers can request it for their projects. In addition to the reduction in virgin fossil fuel used in the asphalt, this plastic has now been given a use besides filling a landfill.
Win win!