Before You Begin

Common Recyclable Healthcare Plastics

Sterilization Wrap

Commonly referred to as “blue wrap”,

sterilization wrap is a sterile material that

protects surgical instruments and other

items from contamination.

It is often clean material that can be easily

collected.

It is made from polypropylene (PP) and may

be recycled with other #5 materials.

Made of polypropylene (PP) and can

be recycled with other #5 plastics

Images courtesy of Kimberly Clark

Note: Sterilization wrap can be

recycled. However, it is recommended

that paper indicator tape be removed

from sterilization wrap prior to

recycling, as it diminishes the market

value and use of the recycled product.

Irrigation Bottles

Irrigation bottles are commonly used in operating

rooms. These bottles are often easy to drain and

collect for recycling.

They are often made from polypropylene (PP),

which can be recycled with other #5 materials.

Some saline bottles are made from high density

polyethylene (HDPE), which may be recycled

with other #2 materials.

Check with the manufacturer if you are not sure

of the material.

Before You Begin

Common Recyclable Healthcare Plastics

Images courtesy of Baxter

Basins, Pitchers, Trays

Rigid colored and opaque plastic containers

such as water pitchers and patient care

basins and trays are typically made from

polypropylene (PP) and may be recycled

with #5 materials.

Pitcher

Trays

Before You Begin

Common Recyclable Healthcare Plastics

Images courtesy of Cardinal Health

Tyvek®

Tyvek® is a common material utilized in sterile

barrier packaging, typically as part of a chevron

peel pouch or a lid on a rigid tray.

Tyvek® is made from high density polyethylene

(HDPE) and may be recycled with other #2

materials.

It can be difficult to visually differentiate Tyvek®

from paper. Both have a similar appearance;

however, long intertwined fibers can be seen in

Tyvek® material when a light source is placed

behind the material. Also, paper tears easily

while Tyvek® is difficult to tear, although some

coated paper is also difficult to tear.

Before You Begin

Common Recyclable Healthcare Plastics

Images courtesy of DuPont

Flexible Clear Packaging

Flexible clear packaging includes shrink wrap,

stretch film, and plastic bags and is usually found

in large quantities at incoming dock areas and as

secondary and tertiary packaging for healthcare

products. Flexible clear packaging is made from

polyethylene (PE) and may be recycled with #2

materials.

Before You Begin

Common Recyclable Healthcare Plastics

Images courtesy of Perfecseal, a Bemis Company