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Commercial Plastic Recycling

The commercial plastic grades that actually pay back. Grades A, B, and C explained. National reach. 40 years of market relationships.

Material sorting operations at CRI recycling facility

The Plastic That Actually Pays Back.

Commercial facilities generate a wide range of plastic waste, from stretch wrap and shrink film to rigid containers and industrial crates. Not every resin type is recyclable, and not every grade has market value. We will be straight with you about what does.

CRI focuses on the plastic streams that hold real market value: HDPE rigids, PET, LDPE film, PP, and select industrial plastics. With 40 years of processor and broker relationships, we place each grade with the right end-market buyer. Equipment, logistics, and market expertise are all included.

Plastic Grades A, B, and C

Plastic value comes down to cleanliness, sorting, and contamination. Here is how the industry tiers it.

Grade A

Clean, sorted, and segregated by resin

Highest market value. Single resin (HDPE, PET, PP), free of contamination, color-sorted when called for. Ships mill-direct or to top-tier processors. This is where rebate dollars are biggest.

Grade B

Mixed resins or minor contamination

Mid-tier value. Recyclable but harder to place. Mixed colors, minor cross-resin contamination, or films with light residue. Still earns revenue, just less than Grade A.

Grade C

Heavy contamination or low-demand resins

Limited market. Multi-layer packaging, food-soiled film, mixed loads with paper or metal, or low-demand resins. Often a cost rather than revenue. CRI tells you upfront when material falls here.

The 7 Plastic Resin Types

Reference for the standard resin codes. Not every type is commercially recyclable, but knowing what you generate helps us build a smarter program.

#1PET

Polyethylene Terephthalate

Found in

Soft drink bottles, water bottles, food containers

Recycled into

Polar fleece, fiber, tote bags, new containers

#2HDPE

High-Density Polyethylene

Found in

Pallets, crates, buckets, detergent bottles

Recycled into

Pens, containers, drainage pipe, lumber

#3PVC

Polyvinyl Chloride

Found in

Credit cards, oil bottles, window frames, piping

Recycled into

Speed bumps, floor mats, garden hose

#4LDPE

Low-Density Polyethylene

Found in

Shrink wrap, shopping bags, squeezable bottles

Recycled into

Shipping envelopes, floor tile, trash can liners

#5PP

Polypropylene

Found in

Pallets, bins, bottle caps, yogurt containers

Recycled into

Signal signs, battery cables, brooms, trays

#6PS

Polystyrene

Found in

Disc cases, meat trays, foam packaging, cups

Recycled into

Insulation, vents, rulers, license plate frames

#7Misc

Other / Mixed Plastics

Found in

Water bottles, gas cans, multi-layer packaging

Recycled into

Plastic lumber, custom applications

Plastic Recycling FAQ

Common questions about CRI's commercial plastic recycling services.

Does CRI accept every type of plastic?+
No. Not every resin type is commercially recyclable, and not all hold market value. CRI focuses on the plastics that actually pay back: HDPE rigids, PET, LDPE film, PP, and select industrial plastics. For other types, we will tell you straight whether they belong in your recycling program or your trash stream.
What commercial plastics have the most recycling value?+
Grade A material, single-resin, clean, and sorted, is where the rebate dollars are biggest. HDPE rigids and PET typically lead in value due to strong end-market demand. LDPE film and PP also hold steady value when kept clean. Market prices fluctuate, and CRI tracks them daily so you get current pricing on every load.
What are Grades A, B, and C?+
Grade A is clean, single-resin, and sorted, highest market value. Grade B is mixed resins or has minor contamination, still recyclable but at a lower rate. Grade C is heavily contaminated or made up of low-demand resins, often a cost rather than revenue. CRI helps you sort and improve grade tiers over time to maximize rebate.
Can CRI handle plastic mixed with other recyclables?+
Yes. Many commercial facilities generate plastic alongside paper, cardboard, and pallets. CRI designs integrated recycling programs that handle all your waste streams, often collecting multiple materials in a single trailer to maximize efficiency.
Does CRI provide containers for plastic collection?+
Yes. CRI provides gaylords, totes, bins, and spotted trailers for plastic collection, matched to your facility's volume and layout. Equipment is part of your recycling program at no additional cost.
What happens to commercial plastic after CRI collects it?+
Collected plastics are sorted by resin type, baled, and shipped to domestic and international processors. There they are cleaned, pelletized, and manufactured into new products ranging from polar fleece and drainage pipe to plastic lumber and shipping materials.

Want to know what your waste is worth?

Call us or request a free assessment. No contracts. No obligation.

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