Recycling Plastic Types on Construction Sites: Which Grades Can Be Recycled?

Plastic recycling is essential for building a more sustainable construction industry and knowing which types of plastics can be recycled is key to improving the efficiency of waste management processes.

With Recycling Week (22 – 28 September 2025) and Construction Week (30 September – 2 October 2025) fast approaching, it’s the ideal time to focus on how the sector can improve waste management, reduce environmental impact and recover valuable materials.

Join the movement by learning about the various types of plastics that can be recycled to improve our recycling habits and helping the environment.

You can learn more about Recycling Week and explore helpful resources on Recycle Now and WRAP.

Plastic Recycling and Reducing Landfill in Construction

At Hamilton Waste, we help construction companies divert up to 97% of waste from landfill. By carefully sorting and recovering materials, including plastics, we make sure as much waste as possible is reused or recycled. This creates a semi-circular economy where valuable resources stay in circulation rather than being discarded.

Understanding Plastic Recycling Grades

The Resin Identification Code (RIC) system is used to classify plastics into seven grades for recycling. This code is a critical part of waste management because it helps identify the type of plastic and its suitability for recycling.

So what are the types of plastic recycling categories and which ones can you recycle?

Grade 1 – PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate): PET is one of the most common plastics found in bottles, containers and packaging. It is fully recyclable, and recycled PET can be used to create new bottles or textiles. However, recycling PET can be challenging when it’s contaminated or not sorted properly.
Grade 2 – HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): HDPE is known for its strength and is commonly used in products such as milk jugs and detergent bottles. It is one of the most widely recycled plastics. However, types of plastic recycling like HDPE can sometimes face challenges due to contamination, which can impact the efficiency of the recycling process.
Grade 3 – PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): PVC is used in a wide range of products, from plumbing pipes to flooring. Unfortunately, PVC is among the types of plastic that cannot be recycled easily due to its toxic components, which make it difficult to process.
Grade 4 – LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): While LDPE is often used in plastic bags, it is not widely accepted in curbside recycling programs. Some areas may recycle it, but its plastic recycling categories remain limited due to its flexible nature. LDPE can be reused in specific applications, making it a somewhat recyclable plastic.
Grade 5 – PP (Polypropylene): Polypropylene is a highly versatile plastic found in products like food containers and straws and is more widely recyclable compared to other plastics. Recycling plastic types like PP is easier, but there are still challenges around contamination that affect the efficiency of the process.
Grade 6 – PS (Polystyrene): Polystyrene is used in products like disposable cups and packaging materials. Unfortunately, PS is difficult to recycle and has a significant environmental impact. It is a prime example of what type of plastic cannot be recycled, and efforts to improve its recycling are ongoing.
Grade 7 – Other (Various Plastics): Grade 7 includes a range of plastics like polycarbonate and bioplastics. These are often harder to recycle because of their composition. Although there are recycling processes in place, they are limited and not as widely available, making them challenging to manage. Plastic recycling grades for Grade 7 are the least accepted due to their variability.

Can All Types of Plastic Be Recycled?

Some plastics, such as PVC and PS, are difficult to recycle due to their composition and the presence of harmful chemicals. However, Hamilton Waste specialises in the careful sorting and recovering plastics of all grades to ensure that as much waste as possible is reused or recycled.

Why Plastic Recycling Matters in Construction

Plastics are everywhere on construction sites, from protective sheeting and packaging to piping and fixtures. While some plastics are recyclable, others are more challenging.

Instead of focusing on the technical recycling grades, Hamilton Waste assesses the value of each plastic type. For example, a high-quality water pipe has a higher reuse potential than mixed packaging plastics, so we prioritise separating out these valuable materials for recovery.

This approach helps construction firms:

Improve sustainability performance and meet environmental targets
Demonstrate a genuine commitment to reducing landfill reliance.

How We Recycle Plastics to Divert from Landfill

Hamilton Waste uses advanced sorting and processing techniques to maximise plastic recovery. Here’s how it works:

On-site segregation: We work with construction teams to ensure plastics are kept separate from other materials right from the start
Collection and transport: Our fleet collects the plastics and brings them to our dedicated recycling facility
Value-based sorting: Plastics are separated by material type and assessed for reuse or recycling potential
Processing for UK manufacturers: Recovered plastics are reused or cleaned and processed into quality materials ready for manufacturing new products.

This system creates a semi-circular economy, ensuring construction plastics have a second life rather than ending up in landfill.

Best Practices for Recycling Plastics in Construction

To maximise recycling results and reduce waste, companies should follow these proven strategies:

Segregate materials early: Set up clear, well-labelled bins for different waste streams, including plastics, metals, and timber.
Keep plastics clean: Avoid contamination by keeping plastics free of soil, rubble, and other debris.
Work with a trusted recycling partner: Choose a company like Hamilton Waste that understands construction waste and has the expertise to recover high-value materials.
Monitor progress: Track recycling rates and costs to continually improve waste management processes.

These steps don’t just help the environment, they also make good business sense by reducing disposal costs and improving site efficiency.

Why Choose Hamilton Waste’s Plastic Recycling for Construction

Hamilton Waste is committed to improving construction recycling by offering comprehensive recycling services for a range of materials, including plastic.

Unlike general recycling providers, we focus exclusively on commercial clients – not domestic recycling. Our team understands the specific challenges faced by construction companies and has the infrastructure to handle large volumes of mixed waste.

By diverting 97% of construction waste from landfill, we deliver measurable environmental and financial benefits to our clients.

Explore our recycling services to see how we can help your business improve waste recovery, reduce landfill reliance, and turn construction waste into valuable resources.