Recycled goods and non-toxic material

Recycled plastic products are a great way to get all the many benefits of plastic as a material, while also combatting plastic waste and supporting sustainable businesses.

Let’s take a look at what recycled plastic is, the pros and cons of recycling plastics, and some of the best recycled plastic products on the market.

From shoes to yoga mats, children’s toys to designer sunglasses, there is something for everyone on this list!

Let’s dive right in!

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What is Recycled Plastic?

Recycled plastic is plastic made from waste plastic, which has been recovered and processed into a material that can be re-used to make new plastic products.

In the simplest terms, when plastic is recycled, plastic items are collected, sorted, cleaned, shredded, separated into types, and then melted down and compressed into plastic pellets. Those pellets are then used to make a new plastic item.

Recycling might seem like the perfect solution to the ever-worsening plastic waste crisis. However, many challenges prevent recycling from completely solving the problem.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of recycling plastic:

Pros and Cons of Recycling Plastics

Mass-produced plastic has only been around for about 80 years but in that time we have produced close to 9 billion tons of plastic.

Sadly, less than 10% of all plastic is recycled, and the remaining 90%+ is sent to landfills or incinerated.

There are several reasons for this, which are too complex to go into here, so let’s look at the pros and cons in brief:

Pros of Recycling Plastics

• Recycling diverts plastic from landfills, incineration, or environmental pollution
• It reduces the need for virgin plastic production, lessening environmental impacts
• Single-use recycled plastics are often converted into re-usable items, keeping that plastic out of the waste stream for many years
• Recycling and a market for items made from recycled plastics give economic value to an otherwise worthless form of waste
• The recycling industry contributes to job creation and local, and global, economies
• Recycling plastics reduces the amount of plastic waste that may end up polluting the environment, especially watercourses and the ocean

Cons of Recycling Plastics

• Only a small percentage of plastic types are valuable as a recycled material
• Recycling is a complicated and expensive process, which makes the production of virgin plastic more economically appealing for many industries
• Contamination at recycling plants is a huge challenge as mixed plastic types do not work well
• Most recycled plastics cannot be re-used to make the same products as they were before, because the quality of the plastic is not as good after it has been recycled
• Recycled plastics degrade a little every time they’re recycled, which means they can only be recycled a few times before being disposed of
• Current recycling technology cannot completely close the loop because the quality degrades in each cycle, so even if 100% of current plastic production is recycled, there will always be a market for virgin plastic.

As you can see, there are pros and cons to recycling plastics, and significant challenges to be overcome. Like many of the severe environmental issues we’re faced with, governments and global policies need to change before these challenges can be overcome completely.

That said, your actions as an individual consumer DO make a difference!

When we choose to live more sustainably, and produce less waste or even go fully zero-waste, we not only reduce the impact we have on the environment (which, over a lifetime, is more significant than you think!), we also contribute to the social, political and economic context around us.

Choosing to buy eco-friendly products creates a demand and a market for more sustainable goods.

When we choose to buy products made from recycled plastics rather than virgin plastics, we’re creating a market and a demand for them. And that is how change happens!

16 Great Recycled Plastic Products

1. The Sak – Back to Bali Crochet Crossbody Bag

The Sak makes a wide selection of bags out of recycled plastic made from plastic waste collected from the ocean or picked up on its way to the ocean in Bali.

The Sak partners with Oceana, Oceanworks, Plastic Bank, and several other organizations to rid the planet of plastic pollution and turn it into something beautiful, useful, and durable.

Location: USA and Indonesia

What the Reviews Say (4.6/5 Stars):

Pros

• Lightweight but sturdy and well-made
• Fabric-lined and inner pocket has a zip to close
• Size is big enough to be very versatile, without looking like an ‘oversized tote’

• The lining is thin and tends to fray at the seams
• Some reviewers found it to be too big and cumbersome
• Some reviewers found the strap to be uncomfortable

Where to Buy: The Sak on Amazon

2. Patagonia – Nano Puff Jacket

Patagonia needs no introduction when it comes to sustainable brands. Their Nano Puff Jackets are made with 87% recycled materials, including 100% postconsumer recycled polyester for the lining, stuffing, and shell. It is also made Fair Trade certified, and produced with reduced emissions technology.

Location: USA

What the Reviews Say (4.6/5 Stars):

Pros

• Very light but warm enough for an NYC winter
• Wind and waterproof
• Versatile style can be layered and great for general wear or hiking etc.

• Not warm enough for winter in Alaska
• Light-colored option discolored inside the neck due to oily skin
• The fit is not great for those with very wide shoulders and a small waist

Where to Buy: Patagonia

3. West Paw – Zogoflex & Seaflex Dog Toys

West Paw makes eco-friendly dog toys out of recycled plastic. They use recycled ocean-bound plastic and plastic that is diverted from landfills. West Paw’s soft toys are made with recycled polyester.

Their Zogoflex and Seaflex bouncy chew toys are made to last for many years, and can then be returned to West Paw to be recycled and made into new toys. All West Paw’s toys are non-toxic and BPA-free.

Location: USA

What the Reviews Say (4.4/5 Stars):

Pros

• Super durable and long-lasting, even for dogs that quickly destroy other toys
• You can put treats inside for then gradually work out of the toy as they chew
• Shape makes it bounce randomly, which makes it more fun and keeps the dog occupied

Cons

• Food falls out of the openings for stuffing teats, so some reviewers used wet food and froze it first
• It is very hard and some felt it was damaging their floors
• Dogs that don’t usually chew much didn’t enjoy it

Where to Buy: West Paw on Amazon

4. Suga – Yoga Mats

Suga makes yoga mats out of 100% recycled neoprene wetsuits. They’re durable, non-slip and the texture of the material prevents it from picking up dirt, grime, and bacteria from the floor.

Suga mats are 5mm thick, but they provide more cushioning than other mats of the same thickness.