Is Thermoformed Plastic Recyclable?

Clamshell packaging, lab trays, and pocket trays all use thermoformed plastics to achieve the correct shape and structure. Its ubiquitousness means that many people don't give it a second thought. However, a need to achieve sustainability targets has led to some questioning of thermoforming and left many people to wonder, is thermoformed plastic recyclable? Take a deeper look to understand what thermoformed plastics can be recycled, and what obstacles exist to prevent recycling. 

Is Thermoformed Plastic Recyclable?

The answer to that question is not a simple yes or no. Yes, many types of thermoformed plastic are recyclable. However, the manufacturing process alters thermoformed plastics enough that some recycling centers do not accept them. Others accept them when they are separated out from other types of plastic.

What Are Thermoformed Plastics?

Thermoforming takes a thin sheet of heated plastic and stretches it over a mold. This produces a finished product in a defined shape. Manufacturers can thermoform several types of plastic to create trays, inserts, and other types of packaging. 

Plastics Used for Thermoforming

• Polyethylene terephthalate: PET is a popular choice for thermoforming and PET thermoforms are generally recyclable. They consist of the same materials as other polyethylene terephthalate containers and carry the #1 recycling category.
• Polyvinyl chloride: PVC thermoforms are technically recyclable, but plasticizers and other additives make sorting and recycling PVC very difficult. As a result, thermoformed PVC is usually discarded as trash.  
• Polystyrene: PS is fully recyclable, but the lack of infrastructure to handle it often means it ends up in landfills. You typically must sort polystyrene from other plastics and take it to a dedicated recycling center. 

Thermoforms can consist of many other types of plastics depending on the intended purpose and desired material qualities. For example, acrylonitrile butadiene, polycarbonate, and polypropylene are all formable.

Not only is thermoformed plastic recyclable, but at Ready-Made we also use recycled plastics to make many of our thermoformed products. This further extends the life cycle of plastic materials, making them more sustainable. 

How Can Thermoformed Plastics Be Recycled? 

You recycle thermoformed plastics just like other plastics. Centers may accept them as part of a bulk collection or sorted into a distinct category. Industrial recycling initiatives utilize advanced sensors and scanners to identify materials and improve acceptance rates. 

Many recycling centers require thermoforms to be separate from other, similar types of plastic. Failure to sort them out can result in an entire batch being discarded instead of recycled.  Improvements in sorting and disassembly processes mean that more thermoplastics end up recycled.

Incorporating thermoformed plastics into your recycling strategy boosts sustainability efforts and reduces waste. When selecting products, choose materials that fit into your recycling program.

Shop Recyclable Plastic Trays

Ready-Made prioritizes sustainability throughout our operations. We wholeheartedly answer the question “is thermoformed plastic recyclable” with a resounding yes. All of our products are fully recyclable, including our thermoformed plastic trays. We consistently recycle any manufacturing waste ourselves. Additionally, we source our raw materials from a vetted network of responsible suppliers. Shop our recyclable trays to see how we can help you achieve sustainability targets.