Unfortunately, not all plastics can be recycled:

• thermosetting plastics cannot be reformed. These include urea-formaldehyde (UF), melamine-formaldehyde (MF), polyester resin (PR) and epoxy resin (ER) – hard plastics like those used for kettles, light fittings and sockets

• it is also hard to recycle some thermoplastics, for example polyamide (nylon), acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS) and polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic, or PMMA)

In addition, many plastic products contain a mixture of materials so cannot be recycled. Additives are often added to plastics to:

• extend their working life

• improve their working properties

• assist in processing

• enhance their appearance

• reduce costs