Plastic #5: Polypropelene
Recyclable?
Blue Bins & Chutes
Other Recycling
Recommended
Trash
If the items is not suitable for reuse, throw it out.
These plastics cannot be recycled.
Alternative
Specialised Recycling
Polypropylene is accepted by The Plastic Project.
They have limited capacity and from time to time stop taking donations so double check with them.
Plastify
Alternative
Recycling Bins & Chutes
Only put clean plastics in recycling bins
Due to the low recycling rates of polypropylene, if it is not clean, just throw it out. Don't bother wasting time, energy, soap or water to clean it.
Blue Bins
Alternative
Reuse
When possible, reuse polypropylene containers.
Info & Insights
Recycling
Polypropelene (PP) is allowed in the Singapore recycling system but, to our knowledge, very little PP coming from households is recycled. Most PP recycling is industrial plastic waste.
PP is so low value that we do not believe any polypropylene put in a segregated plastic-only recycling bin will get recycled. Therefore if you really want to try get it recycled, put it in a blue bin.
About polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic that is widely used in a variety of products and applications. It is known for its durability, resistance to high temperatures, and flexibility, making it a popular choice for many consumer goods.
A thermoplastic is a kind of plastic that gets soft when it's heated and becomes hard again when it cools down. This means you can heat it up, shape it, and then let it cool and it will keep that shape. You can do this over and over without damaging the material.
Polypropylene is also considered a safe material for food contact, as it does not leach harmful chemicals into food or beverages.
PP is often - but not exclusively -used for:
- Takeaway food packaging
- Yoghurt and Ice Cream Tubs
- Tofu tubs
- Contact Lens blister packs (plastic part)
- Plastic bags
- Furniture (such as outdoor chairs and tables)
- Car parts (such as battery cases)
- Rope and twine
- Textile fibers (such as carpets and clothing)
- Laboratory equipment (such as test tubes)
- Toys (such as action figures)
- Household items (such as storage containers and broom bristles)
- Medical supplies (such as IV bags and catheter tubing)
- Vitamin and medicine plastic bottles
Note that the items listed above are not always made of PP. They may be made of other materials.
