ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular 2022
Issued by:
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
1325 G. Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
Copyright © 2022 by Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
All rights reserved
Effective 07/14/2022
HDPE Colored Bottles
Description : Any whole, blow-molded, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottle containing the ASTM D7611 “#2, HDPE” resin identification code that is pigmented and opaque, and was generated from a curbside, drop-off, or other public or private recycling collection program. Bottles are defined as containers that have a neck or mouth that is smaller than the base.
All bottles should be free of contents or free flowing liquids and direction should be provided to consumers to empty and rinse containers. While including closures (caps, lids, and rings) on bottles is acceptable, removal of closures is also acceptable. Loose caps and closures should not be added to the bale.
Product : Polyethylene Bottles
Source : Post-consumer material collected primarily from residential sources, may also include some material that has met its intended use from commercial establishments
CHECK WITH YOUR BUYER(S) as to their allowance for:
Contamination: Total contamination should not exceed 5% by weight.
ALLOWABLE CONTAMINANTS AT LOW LEVELS : These contaminants are tolerable at low levels. The following contaminants should not exceed 2% by weight of any of the following “individual” contaminants, unless noted otherwise.
PET Bottles (No PET Thermoforms)
Description : Any whole polyethylene terephthalate (PET) postconsumer bottle or jar with a screw-neck top that contains the ASTM D7611 “#1, PET or PETE” resin identification code and that is clear, transparent green, or transparent light blue. All bottles should be free of contents or free flowing liquids. Closures (caps, lids, rings, and labels) may be left on bottles.
Product : Polyethylene Terephthalate Bottles
Source : Post-consumer material collected primarily from residential sources, may also include some material that has met its intended use from commercial establishments.
PET Bale Grade | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C |
Total PET bottle fraction by weight | 94% or above | 83 - 93% | 73 - 82% |
“PET fraction” refers to the total weight of PET bottles in a PET bale, inclusive of caps and labels when still attached to PET containers, as a percentage of the total weight of that bale.
There are 10 U.S. states with container deposit laws in place; all include a subset of PET containers. It is assumed that deposit bales will contain a high fraction of PET and that the grading scale above applies to all PET bales, including deposit. However, because the container mix, collection and aggregation process is defined through state statute, deposit bale specifications are not specifically addressed in this document.
CHECK WITH YOUR BUYER(S) as to their allowances for:
Contamination : Total contaminants should not exceed the percentages, by weight, as defined by PET bale grade chart above
ALLOWABLE CONTAMINANTS AT LOW LEVELS : These contaminants are tolerable at low levels. The following contaminants should not exceed 2% by weight of any of the following “individual” contaminants, unless noted otherwise.
CONTAMINANTS NOT ALLOWED : If present, these contaminants may result in rejection
PET Bottles with PET Thermoforms
Description : Any whole polyethylene terephthalate (PET) postconsumer bottle or jar with a screw-neck top that contains the ASTM D7611 “#1, PET or PETE” resin identification code and that is clear, transparent green, or transparent light blue. All bottles should be free of contents or free flowing liquids. Closures (caps, lids, rings, and labels) may be left on bottles. This specification allows inclusion of PET thermoforms of more than two percent, but not to exceed 10 percent of bale, by weight. PET thermoforms are defined as any whole, extrusion grade, clear polyethylene terephthalate (PET) package labeled with the ASTM D7611 “#1, PET or PETE” resin identification code, including and not limited to egg cartons, baskets, clamshell containers, cups, lids, cake domes, covers, blister pack without paperboard backing, tubs, deli containers, trays and folded PET sheet containers. All thermoform pieces must be optically sorted (as PET).
Product : Polyethylene Terephthalate Bottles with Thermoforms
Source : Post-consumer materials collected primarily from residential sources, may also include some materials that has met its intended use from commercial establishments.
PET Bale Grade | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C |
Total PET bottle fraction by weight | 94% or above | 83 - 93% | 73 - 82% |
“PET fraction” refers to the total weight of PET bottles in a PET bale, inclusive of caps and labels when still attached to PET containers, as a percentage of the total weight of that bale.
CHECK WITH YOUR BUYER(S) as to their allowances for:
Contamination : Total contaminants should not exceed the percentages, by weight, as defined by PET bale grade chart above
ALLOWABLE CONTAMINANTS AT LOW LEVELS : These contaminants are tolerable at low levels. The following contaminants should not exceed 2% by weight of any of the following “individual” contaminants, unless noted otherwise.
CONTAMINANTS NOT ALLOWED : If present, these contaminants may result in rejection.
HDPE Natural Bottles
Description : Any whole, blow-molded, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottle containing the ASTM D7611 “#2, HDPE” resin identification code that is unpigmented, and was generated from a curbside, drop-off, or other public or private recycling collection program. Bottles are defined as containers that have a neck or mouth that is smaller than the base.
Product : Polyethylene Bottles
Source : Post-consumer material collected primarily from residential sources, may also include some material that has met its intended use from commercial establishments.
All bottles should be free of contents or free flowing liquids and direction should be provided to encourage consumers to empty and rinse containers. While including closures (caps, lids, and rings) on bottles is acceptable, removal of closures is also acceptable. Loose caps and closures should not be added to the bale.
ITEMS RESULTING IN A DOWNGRADE TO COLORED HDPE BALE : : Inclusion of pigmented or colored HDPE bottles will downgrade a Natural Bottle Bale to a Colored HDPE Bottle Bale.
CHECK WITH YOUR BUYER(S) as to their allowances for:
Contamination: Total contamination should not exceed 5% by weight.
ALLOWABLE CONTAMINANTS AT LOW LEVELS : These contaminants are tolerable at low levels. The following contaminants should not exceed 2% by weight of any of the following “individual” contaminants, unless noted otherwise.
CONTAMINANTS NOT ALLOWED : If present, these contaminants may result in rejection.
HPDE Injection Bulky Rigid Plastics
Description : Any injection grade high density polyethylene (#2 HDPE) rigid plastic, typically found to be wide mouthed containers and/or oversized items generated through a positive sort from curbside, drop-off or other public or private recycling collection program. Examples include carts, crates, buckets, baskets, or other large all injection HDPE items. Small injection molded containers are acceptable. Pallets or other injection molded large items from commercial sources can be included. Metal such as axels and bolts must be removed. Buckets/pails with metal handles and all HDPE plastic toys without metal rods or screws are acceptable.
Blow molded containers of any size should not be included (e.g., 55-gallon drums or 2 gl syrup containers).
Product : Buckets, Pails, Oversized Rigid Plastics
Source : Post-consumer material collected primarily from residential sources, may also include some material that has met its intended use from commercial establishments.
Contamination: Total contamination should not exceed 5% by weight.
ALLOWABLE CONTAMINANTS AT LOW LEVELS : These contaminants are tolerable at low levels. The following contaminants should not exceed 2% by weight of any of the following “individual” contaminants, unless noted otherwise.
CONTAMINANTS NOT ALLOWED: If present, these contaminants may result in rejection.
PET Thermoforms
Description : Any whole, extrusion grade, clear or transparent light blue polyethylene terephthalate (PET) postconsumer package labeled with the ASTM D7611 “#1, PET or PETE” resin identification code, not including bottles and jars, but including and not limited to egg cartons, baskets, clamshell containers, cups, lids, cake domes, covers, blister pack without paperboard backing, tubs, deli containers, trays and folded PET sheet containers. All packages should be free of contents or free flowing liquids. Closures (caps, lids, rings, and labels) may be included.
All thermoform pieces must be optically sorted (as PET) , and no other thermoform shall come from any other sorting stations. (This is specified to prevent lookalike thermoform —PS, PLA, PVC—from being mixed with PET.)
Product : Polyethylene Terephthalate Thermoform Plastic
Source : : Post-consumer material collected primarily from residential sources, may also include some material that has met its intended use from commercial establishments.
CHECK WITH YOUR BUYER(S) as to their allowances for: transparent green, or any other color (other than light blue).
Contamination : Total contamination should not exceed 6% by weight.
ALLOWABLE CONTAMINANTS AT LOW LEVELS : These contaminants are tolerable at low levels. The following contaminants should not exceed 2% by weight of any of the following “individual” contaminants, unless noted otherwise.
CONTAMINANTS NOT ALLOWED : If present, these contaminants may result in rejection
General Non-Source-Specific Categories
PE Clear Film (Grade A)
Description : Any mix of clear or natural polyethylene film, Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) or Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), totaling at least 95% clear or natural polyethylene film is acceptable. Films may be coded with ASTM D7611 resin identification code “#4, LDPE/LLDPE.” Includes stretch wrap, shrink wrap, and clear, natural bags.
Product : Polyethylene film
Source : Sorted film generated after meeting its intended use from commercial establishments
Contamination : Total contamination should not exceed 5% by weight.
ALLOWABLE CONTAMINANTS AT LOW LEVELS : These contaminants are tolerable at low levels. The following contaminants should not exceed 1% by weight of any of the following “individual” contaminants, unless noted otherwise.
CONTAMINANTS NOT ALLOWED : If present, these contaminants may result in rejection.
General : Refer to the General Information section for additional information
PE Clear Film (Grade B)
Description : Any mix of polyethylene film, Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) or Linear LowDensity Polyethylene (LLDPE), totaling at least 80% clear or natural polyethylene film is acceptable. Films may be coded with ASTM D7611 resin identification code “#4, LDPE/LLDPE.” Up to 20% colored and printed polyethylene film is acceptable.
Product : Polyethylene film
Source : Sorted film generated after meeting its intended use from commercial establishments
Contamination : Total contamination should not exceed 10% by weight
ALLOWABLE CONTAMINANTS AT LOW LEVELS : These contaminants are tolerable at low levels. The following contaminants should not exceed 2% by weight of any of the following “individual” contaminants, unless noted otherwise.
CONTAMINANTS NOT ALLOWED: If present, these contaminants may result in rejection.
General : Refer to the General Information section for additional information
PE Film (Grade C)
Description : Any mix of clear/natural, color or printed polyethylene film, Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) and/or High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). Films may be coded with ASTM D7611 resin identification code “#4, LDPE/LLDPE or #2 HDPE”. There is a wide variability of what is sold under this specification, which could include a high level of contamination. Buyers and sellers should be very explicit about their requirements and offerings.
Mixed Bulky Rigids
Description : Any large rigid High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE, #2) and/or Polypropylene (PP, #5) plastic bulky item , created through a positive sort from curbside, drop-off or other public or private recycling collection program. Examples include: crates, buckets, baskets, totes, andlawn furniture. Metal such as axels and bolts should be removed. Buckets/pails with metal handles can be included.
Product : Bulky Rigid Plastic
Source : Post-Consumer material created from a positive sort from a curbside, drop-off or other public or private
recycling collection program.
Contamination : This bale should not contain mixed #1-7 bottles or containers, toys with metal, drums, jugs (either HMW or 55 gallons) or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, #3).
Total allowed - 15% by weight.
The following items are not allowed at any level (0%allowed) :
Polypropylene All Rigid Plastic
Description : Any Polypropylene (PP, #5) whole bottle, container product, generated through a positive sort from curbside, drop off or other public or private recycling collection program. Bulky Polypropylene (PP, #5) are items greater than 5 gallons, (e.g. buckets, crates, waste baskets, toys, and storage bins).
Examples include : prescription bottles, yogurt cups, margarine tubs, ice cream tubs, cold drink cups, microwaveable trays, tofu tubs, dishwasher safe storage containers, hangers, bottle cap enclosures, etc.
Product : Polypropylene Containers
Source : Post-Consumer Material
Contamination : Total contaminants should not exceed 8% by weight
The following levels of contamination are allowed ;
The following contaminants are not allowed at any level (zero percent allowed) ;
General : Refer to the General Information section for additional information
1-7 Bottles and ALL Rigid Plastic
Description : Rigid plastic generated in a positive sort from a subside, drop-off, or other public or private recycling program that does not separately sort any plastic bottles. Bales consist of all plastic bottles – no bottles should be removed from the mix prior to baling – and household containers (including thermoform packaging, cups, trays, clamshells, food tubs and pots, and bulky rigid plastic (e.g., drums, crates, buckets, baskets, toys, totes, and lawn furniture).
Product : Bottle and non-bottle containers
Source : Post-Consumer Material
Contamination : Total contaminants should not exceed 5% by weight
The following contaminants are not allowed at any level (zero percent allowed)
General : Refer to the General Information section for additional information
3-7 Bottles and ALL other Rigid Plastic
Description : Rigid plastic items generated in a positive sort from a curbside, drop-off, or other public or private recycling programs from which the Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, #1) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE, #2) bottles have been removed. Pre-picked plastic consists of non-PET and non-HDPE household bottles and all non bottle containers including thermoform packaging, cups, trays, clamshells, food tubs and pots, and all large rigid plastics, primarily PE and PP (includes plastic crates, carts, buckets, baskets and plastic lawn furniture). Metal, as typically found in toys or bucket handles, should be removed when possible. Plastic items from construction or demolition should not be included in Pre-Picked bales.
Product : Bottle and non-bottle Containers
Source : Post-Consumer material
Contamination : The following levels of contamination are allowed
The following contaminants are not allowed at any level (zero percent allowed) ;
General : Refer to the General Information section for additional information
Mixed Paper (PS 54)
Consists of all paper and paperboard of various qualities not limited to the type of fiber content, sorted and processed at a recycling facility.
Prohibitive Materials may not exceed 2%
Outthrows may not exceed 3%
Sorted Residential Papers (PS 56)
Consists of sorted newspapers, mail, magazines, printing and writing papers and other acceptable papers generated from residential programs (such as residential household and apartment collections and drop-off centers) sorted and processed at a recycling facility. Containerboard and brown grades (OCC, Kraft bags, boxboards and Kraft carrier board will be considered as “Outthrows.” Due to some technical questions, a clarification to the language above was made in August 2019.
Prohibitive Materials may not exceed 2%
Outthrows may not exceed 3%
Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) (PS 11)
Consists of corrugated containers having liners of either test liner or kraft.
Prohibitive Materials may not exceed 1%
Outthrows plus prohibitives may not exceed 5%
Sorted Office Paper (SOP) (PS 37)
Consists of paper, as typically generated by offices, containing primarily white and colored groundwood-free paper, free of unbleached fiber. May include a small percentage of groundwood computer printout and facsimile paper.
Prohibitive Materials may not exceed 1%
Outthrows plus prohibitives may not exceed 5%
Aseptic Packaging and Gable-Top Cartons (PS 52)
Consists of liquid packaging board containers including empty, used, polyethylene (PE)-coated, printed one-side aseptic and gable-top cartons containing no less than 70% bleached chemical fiber and may contain up to 6% aluminum foil and 24% PE film
Prohibitive Materials may not exceed 2%
Outthrows plus prohibitives may not exceed 5%