Effective LDPE plastic recycling is critical for reducing waste and minimising plastic’s detrimental influence on our world. Malaysia has acknowledged the importance of LDPE plastic recycling, and initiatives to increase recycling rates and encourage sustainable practices are continuing. 

In this post, we will look at the situation of LDPE plastic recycling in Malaysia, the issues the sector faces, and the steps being implemented to promote a more sustainable future.

What is LDPE Plastic?

LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) is a form of plastic frequently used in Malaysian packaging products. While it has numerous advantages, such as being lightweight and flexible, it also generates a substantial quantity of the trash, which may be hazardous to the environment.

Agriculture also uses LDPE film to keep strawberries, mushrooms, and tomatoes fresh. While LDPE is thinner than HDPE, they are occasionally used for similar purposes, such as in warehouses as bubble wrap or to cover pallets. Due to the film’s strength and transparency, it has become an excellent choice for various industrial applications.

Where Can You Find LDPE Plastic?

Low-density polyethylene can be found in a variety of household goods. This might include:

• Containers for Pallet Wrap
• Packing with shrink wrap
• Coverings and bags
• Frozen food bags
• dry cleaning is all examples of clear plastic bags.

Can LDPE Be Recycled? 

LDPE may be recycled; however, the method used and the difficulties encountered depend on the different types of plastic. Flexible items, for example, are more challenging to recycle, mainly because they are often contaminated by the object they are packing. The more rigid 

LDPE plastic recycling is simpler as it is frequently collected and reprocessed by curbside recycling programs. 

The number ‘4’ will be put on anything to indicate whether it is LDPE plastic. But it would be best to verify with your local agency to ensure it may be recycled in your area. 

Tips for LDPE Plastic Recycling

With these LDPE plastic recycling steps, you can easily ensure that your plastic #4 tends to end up in the recycling cycle rather than the solid waste stream:

Many LDPE plastics are approved through your local curbside recycling programme. Just confirm this with the headquarters of your recycling programme. On the other hand, others will take milk cartons and food container lids but not LDPE plastic bags, so be careful to verify while speaking with them.

Drop-off programmes at grocery stores: 

In the United States, some supermarkets, such as Safeway and Lucky Food Centers, accept LDPE plastic bags for recycling. Check with your neighbourhood grocery shop to see if they offer a programme.

Reuse: 

In many circumstances, old plastic food containers may be reused to hold more food, crafts for children, workplace materials, etc. If you can’t recycle these plastics using the above methods, seek ways to repurpose them around your house instead of throwing them away.

Why Should We Separate Our Waste?

Apart from the fact that failing to separate your garbage is a crime (and you risk a punishment), there are numerous more reasons why separating your waste is helpful in the long term.

Waste Separation: 

• It prevents recyclable items from being discarded.
• Reduces the quantity of solid waste disposed of in landfills
• It will save time and money that would otherwise be spent on further waste separation.

How Do I Sort My Waste?

In general, divide your garbage into residual waste and recyclable products. Sort your recyclables into plastic, paper, and other categories.

After sorting, place the remaining waste in the rubbish can and the recyclable waste alongside it.

Following that, appointed collection businesses will collect residual garbage, paper recyclables, plastic recyclables, and other recyclable products following the 2+1 philosophy, which states:

• The remaining garbage will be collected twice a week while
• Once a week, recyclable trash and bulky waste products will be collected.

Remaining Waste:

Food, moist materials (such as tissue and paper towels), and filthy materials are examples of residual waste (i.e., diapers).

Things that can be recycled include:

Paper, plastic, and miscellaneous materials are the three main categories of recyclables (i.e., glass, metal, aluminium, electronics, computer components, etc.). Verifying that the items are clean is also critical before placing them in the recycling bin!

Recycling Plastic Waste:

Plastic garbage recycling might be perplexing on its own at times. Don’t worry. We’re here to assist you! Plastic garbage recycling is vital since plastic is used in many facets of our everyday life.

There are seven types of plastic in total, but only around three of them are recyclable in Malaysia. In Malaysia, the three categories are 1, 2, and 5, which are all 99% recyclable. 

Due to the nation’s lack of supporting infrastructure, the remaining categories are more challenging to recycle.

Final Thoughts 

To summarise, recycling LDPE plastic is critical for decreasing plastic waste and promoting a more sustainable future. We can all help reduce plastic’s harmful impact on the environment by following some basic measures, including cleaning and segregating LDPE plastic, checking for recycling codes, and finding recycling facilities or programmes. 

Recycling LDPE plastic saves resources and energy, helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and keeps plastic out of landfills and the seas. We can all contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet with a little effort and commitment. 

CY Group is a proud Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) member, representing the plastics recycling industry in Malaysia, the United States, and the UK. We actively pursue a pollution-free planet policy to turn plastic waste into reusable plastic products for the next generation. Talk to us, and let us assist you in making the planet a safer environment.