Recycled Materials
Recycled Plastic
Better than virgin plastic, but not a perfect solution
Recycled plastic (rPET, rHDPE) diverts waste from landfills and oceans, requiring less energy than virgin plastic production. However, plastic can only be recycled a limited number of times before degrading, and microplastic shedding remains a concern. It's a meaningful improvement over virgin plastic but not as sustainable as naturally renewable materials.
Sustainability benefits
- Diverts plastic waste from landfills and oceans
- Requires less energy than virgin plastic production
- Lightweight and durable
- Growing infrastructure for collection and processing
Drawbacks to consider
- Can only be recycled a limited number of times (downcycling)
- Still sheds microplastics
- Not biodegradable
- Quality degrades with each recycling cycle
What to look for
Recycled plastic is a step up from virgin plastic but not as good as glass, steel, or natural materials. Look for high post-consumer recycled content (PCR). Best for products where weight matters.
How recycled plastic affects a product's score
Recycled plastic scores 3/5 on materials — better than virgin plastic (1/5) but capped because it's still a synthetic material with microplastic concerns and limited recyclability. Even with certifications, the score won't exceed 3/5 for recycled synthetics. End-of-life scores are also limited since plastic isn't biodegradable.
Scores are computed from four dimensions: materials, durability, end of life, and packaging. Each is scored 1–5 using transparent, open-source rules.