Is HDPE Recyclable? Everything Businesses Need to Know
By Seraphim Plastics | Industrial Plastic Recycling Experts in the U.S.
High-density polyethylene, or HDPE, is one of the most widely used and easily recyclable plastics in the world. From industrial pallets and buckets to detergent bottles and pipes, HDPE is everywhere — and for companies generating large volumes of post-industrial scrap, it’s a valuable recycling opportunity that can also boost sustainability goals.
But how recyclable is HDPE really? And what’s the difference between recycling HDPE at the curb versus recycling it through an industrial recycling company like Seraphim Plastics?
Let’s break down everything you need to know about HDPE recycling, how it works, and how your business can turn plastic waste into profit.
What Is HDPE?
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) is a thermoplastic polymer made from petroleum. It’s identified by the recycling symbol #2 and is known for its strength, rigidity, and resistance to chemicals and moisture.
Common HDPE Products:
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Plastic pallets, crates, and bins
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Industrial drums and barrels
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Buckets and containers
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Bottles for cleaning agents and detergents
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Automotive parts and dunnage trays
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Piping and conduit
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Purge and regrind from manufacturing
HDPE’s chemical stability and durability make it ideal for manufacturing and shipping — and just as importantly, for recycling. Unlike some plastics that degrade after one cycle, HDPE can be melted and reformed multiple times without losing integrity.
Is HDPE Recyclable?
Yes — HDPE is 100% recyclable.
In fact, HDPE is one of the easiest and most profitable plastics to recycle, especially when collected from clean, sorted post-industrial sources rather than household waste streams.
However, how it’s recycled matters. There’s a big difference between consumer recycling and industrial HDPE recycling, both in quality and environmental impact.
Residential vs. Industrial HDPE Recycling
Residential (Curbside) HDPE Recycling
Household HDPE products, like milk jugs and detergent bottles, often end up in single-stream recycling bins. While this seems convenient, it leads to contamination, sorting errors, and low material yield. Many municipal programs can’t process dirty, mixed, or multi-material plastics, so large volumes of HDPE still end up in landfills.
Industrial HDPE Recycling (Seraphim Plastics’ specialty)
Industrial HDPE recycling focuses on clean, pre-sorted, post-industrial scrap — the kind produced in manufacturing, distribution, or logistics environments. Because these materials are uncontaminated and uniform, they can be efficiently processed into HDPE regrind or pellets for reuse in new products.
This is the type of recycling that Seraphim Plastics specializes in.
How HDPE Recycling Works at Seraphim Plastics
The process of recycling HDPE is straightforward yet highly technical when done at an industrial scale. Seraphim Plastics buys, processes, and sells millions of pounds of recycled HDPE every year across Tennessee, Arkansas, Michigan, Mississippi, and surrounding states.
Here’s how the recycling process works:
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Collection & Pickup
Businesses contact Seraphim Plastics to arrange a pickup of their clean HDPE scrap. Common materials include HDPE pallets, totes, crates, buckets, and barrels. -
Sorting & Shredding
The collected HDPE is sorted by type and color, then fed into shredders and grinders that reduce it into small, uniform flakes or regrind. -
Washing & Contaminant Removal
Any residual dust or contaminants are removed to ensure a clean, high-quality recycled product suitable for manufacturing. -
Melting & Pelletizing (if applicable)
The HDPE regrind may be further melted down into pellets — small, bead-like pieces that can be used in plastic extrusion and molding processes. -
Resale & Reuse
The resulting HDPE pellets or regrind are sold to manufacturers that use them to produce new industrial or consumer products — completing the circular recycling economy.
Learn more about how our process works on our Plastic Recycling Process works.
Why HDPE Is Ideal for Industrial Recycling
HDPE’s chemical stability and high melting point make it uniquely suited for multiple recycling cycles. That means less waste, more efficiency, and greater value retention.
Key Advantages:
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Durability: HDPE retains structural integrity even after reprocessing.
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High Market Demand: Recycled HDPE is used in piping, pallets, decking, and construction materials.
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Clean Stream Value: Industrial scrap has low contamination rates compared to municipal plastic waste.
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Profit Potential: Companies can sell HDPE scrap instead of paying to dispose of it.
For businesses generating consistent plastic waste, industrial HDPE recycling offers both economic and environmental benefits. Partnering with a company like Seraphim Plastics ensures your material is responsibly processed and reintroduced into the manufacturing cycle.
Types of HDPE Seraphim Plastics Accepts
Seraphim Plastics purchases a wide range of clean HDPE materials from industrial and manufacturing facilities.
Common types include:
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HDPE Pallets & Crates – Common in logistics, warehousing, and distribution.
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Knock-Down Bins & Totes – Used in manufacturing and automotive industries.
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Buckets & Barrels – From chemical or food processing operations (if clean and dry).
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HDPE Purge, Spurs & Runners – Manufacturing byproducts and offcuts.
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HDPE Regrind or Pellets – Already-processed materials ready for resale.
You can find the full list on our Types of Plastic We Accept page.
Industries That Benefit from HDPE Recycling
Almost every major industrial sector uses HDPE in some form. Recycling HDPE isn’t just good for the planet — it’s also a strategic business move for companies that handle large volumes of plastic.
Seraphim Plastics Serves:
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Automotive Manufacturers – Recycling dunnage trays, bumpers, and production scrap.
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Food & Beverage – Reclaiming buckets, containers, and packaging.
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Distribution & Logistics – Pallets, bins, and totes used in shipping and storage.
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Manufacturing Plants – Purge, runners, and rejected HDPE parts.
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Agriculture & Industrial Supply – Crates, liners, and packaging components.
Learn more on our Industries We Serve page.
Environmental and Economic Impact of Recycling HDPE
When recycled properly, HDPE plays a vital role in reducing plastic pollution and lowering carbon emissions. Industrial HDPE recycling helps:
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Reduce landfill waste
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Cut energy consumption compared to virgin plastic production
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Lower greenhouse gas emissions
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Promote circular economy practices
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Generate new revenue streams for businesses
For companies with sustainability goals, partnering with Seraphim Plastics helps achieve measurable environmental outcomes — while improving operational efficiency.
Why Businesses Choose Seraphim Plastics
With facilities throughout the southeastern and midwestern U.S., Seraphim Plastics is one of the region’s leading buyers and processors of post-industrial plastic scrap.
Businesses choose Seraphim because we offer:
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Transparent pricing and fast payment for recyclable HDPE and other plastics.
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Efficient pickup and logistics coordination.
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A proven recycling process that turns waste into reusable regrind.
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Experience with multi-industry material streams including automotive, manufacturing, and distribution.
Our model is simple: We buy clean, sorted plastic scrap directly from your facility — and make sure it’s recycled the right way.
Partner With Seraphim Plastics to Recycle Your HDPE
If your company generates HDPE scrap, barrels, buckets, or pallets, don’t let them go to waste. Industrial recycling not only diverts valuable material from landfills — it can also turn your unused plastics into a steady revenue stream.
Seraphim Plastics is here to help you recycle responsibly, efficiently, and profitably.
👉 Learn more about what we buy:
Visit our Plastic We Buy page.
👉 Ready to schedule a pickup or request a quote?
Contact Seraphim Plastics today to speak with a recycling specialist.
Together, we can make HDPE recycling both sustainable and successful for your business.