What Each Industry Can Recycle — and the Value of Their Plastic Waste

By Seraphim Plastics | November 1, 2025

Every industry generates its own unique types of plastic scrap — from automotive components to packaging bins, bottles, and pallets. While many facilities treat these materials as waste, they’re often a valuable secondary resource that can be sold to an industrial recycler like Seraphim Plastics.

By identifying which plastics your business produces, you can turn everyday operations into an additional revenue stream — and keep thousands of pounds of plastic out of landfills each year.

1. Automotive and Manufacturing Plants

Automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers often generate a steady flow of rigid, high-density plastics from production, assembly, and packaging.

Common recyclable materials:

  • HDPE and HMW pallets, crates, and bins

  • Polypropylene (PP) injection-molded components

  • Plastic purge, sprues, and runners

  • Plastic drums and lids

Approximate value:

  • HDPE or HMW: $0.50–$0.75 per lb

  • PP (polypropylene): $0.35–$0.55 per lb

  • Purge material: varies by resin and cleanliness ($0.40–$0.70 per lb)

Automotive manufacturers also benefit from consistent collection programs due to their volume and uniform resin types. Learn more about accepted materials on our Materials We Buy page.

2. Warehousing and Distribution Centers

Distribution hubs and warehouse facilities rely heavily on reusable plastics for storage and logistics. Over time, those items wear out or become obsolete.

Common recyclable items:

  • Plastic pallets and pallet tops

  • Totes, bins, and containers

  • Collapsible knock-down bins

  • Stretch-wrap film (industrial quantities only)

Approximate value:

  • HDPE pallets and totes: $0.50–$0.70 per lb

  • HMW knock-down bins: $0.45–$0.65 per lb

  • LDPE stretch film (clean): $0.10–$0.25 per lb

Recycling these materials not only generates a return but also saves valuable floor space. To see how recycling logistics works by region, visit our Tennessee Plastic Recycling hub.

3. Food and Beverage Manufacturers

Food producers and bottling plants use FDA-approved resins for cleanliness and strength, many of which are fully recyclable when properly sorted.

Recyclable plastics include:

  • HDPE buckets, barrels, and ingredient containers

  • PP and PET packaging components

  • Food-grade totes and liners

Approximate value:

  • Natural HDPE: $0.75–$1.00 per lb

  • PP: $0.35–$0.55 per lb

  • PET: $0.20–$0.40 per lb

Industrial food packaging typically remains clean, which improves market value. These materials are often converted into regrind for reuse — you can explore current inventory on our Plastic Regrind for Sale page.

4. Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Manufacturing

Facilities that produce medical devices or pharmaceutical products often discard large amounts of rigid plastics in the form of rejected packaging, containers, or trays.

Recyclable items:

  • Polypropylene caps, trays, and inserts

  • HDPE jugs, bottles, and containers

  • Plastic shipping pallets

Approximate value:

  • HDPE: $0.50–$0.75 per lb

  • PP: $0.35–$0.55 per lb

Recycling is particularly important in this sector because it aligns with ESG and sustainability reporting standards many healthcare manufacturers follow.

5. Packaging and Consumer Goods Manufacturers

Packaging plants often have offcuts, misprints, or surplus material that can be reprocessed.

Recyclable materials:

  • LDPE film and sheeting

  • PET bottles or clamshells

  • Polypropylene containers and lids

Approximate value:

  • LDPE: $0.10–$0.25 per lb

  • PET: $0.20–$0.40 per lb

  • PP: $0.35–$0.55 per lb

These plastics can be pelletized and sold back into production — creating a closed-loop packaging cycle that reduces raw-material costs.

6. Agriculture and Industrial Supply

In agricultural manufacturing or equipment supply, many bulk materials come in plastic drums, buckets, or liners that can be recycled when empty.

Recyclable materials:

  • HDPE buckets, lids, and tanks

  • Polypropylene bags or bins

  • HMW containers for feed or chemical storage

Approximate value:

  • HDPE and HMW: $0.45–$0.70 per lb

  • PP: $0.35–$0.55 per lb

Industrial-grade plastics from agricultural use must be free of contamination (soil, residue, or metal) to maintain value.

7. Electronics and Appliance Manufacturers

Electronics packaging and appliance casings often contain high-value resins suitable for reprocessing.

Recyclable plastics:

  • ABS and PC housings (when sorted)

  • HDPE and PP component trays

  • HIPS (High-Impact Polystyrene) display parts

Approximate value:

  • ABS/HIPS mix: $0.40–$0.60 per lb

  • PP/HDPE trays: $0.45–$0.65 per lb

While these materials require careful sorting, they can yield a profitable return when separated by resin type.

How Value Is Calculated

Each load’s pricing depends on:

  • Resin type and purity

  • Contamination levels

  • Load weight and consistency

  • Regional transportation costs

  • Market demand for that resin

Seraphim Plastics provides clear, competitive pricing for all post-industrial materials and can help you evaluate what your scrap is worth before pickup.

For more details, contact us through our Contact Page for a material assessment or quote.

Partnering for Long-Term Recycling Value

Whether your operation produces a few tons per year or multiple truckloads per month, Seraphim Plastics can help you build a recycling program that delivers measurable ROI while supporting sustainability goals.

Visit SeraphimPlastics.com to:

Final Thought

Every industry handles different plastics, but they all share one opportunity: to turn waste into value. With consistent sorting, clean loads, and a trusted recycling partner, your scrap materials can become part of a profitable and sustainable supply chain.

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