Waste plastic is recycled mainly through mechanical recycling, the most common method: 1. Collection – Plastics are gathered from homes, businesses, and recycling programs. 2. Sorting – Separated by type (e.g., PET, HDPE), color, and shape using machines and manual checks. 3. Cleaning & Shredding – Washed to remove dirt and labels, then cut into small flakes. 4. Melting & Pelletizing – Flakes are melted and formed into pellets. 5. New Products – Pellets are used to manufacture items like bottles

Plastics 101: What is plastic and how is it made?