Key Takeaways
- LDPE plastic scrap has strong recycling demand across packaging and manufacturing industries.
- In the United States, clean industrial LDPE film and packaging scrap can sell for around $0.08 to $0.35 per pound.
- Carlin Waste Recycling helps businesses manage, prepare, and sell LDPE plastic scrap through organized recycling solutions. Get a quote today!
Instead of paying to dispose of LDPE plastic, companies are now selling it to recycling buyers and recovering value from their waste streams.
This guide covers what affects LDPE pricing, how recycling works, and what buyers are looking for can help businesses maximize returns while improving operational efficiency and sustainability efforts.
Let’s take a look!
What Is LDPE Plastic?
LDPE is low-density polyethylene, a flexible plastic within the polyethylene family that is widely used across commercial and industrial operations.
It is produced through a high-pressure polymerization process that gives the material its characteristic softness, lightweight feel, and resistance to moisture.
This material falls under resin identification code 4 and is one of the most commonly generated plastic scrap types in packaging and industrial environments.
What Makes LDPE Different From Other Polyethylene Plastics?
What makes LDPE different from other polyethylene plastics is that it has a lower density and a more flexible molecular structure. It is generally preferred when flexibility and lightweight performance are important:
| Plastic Type | Flexibility | Strength | Common Uses |
| LDPE | Very flexible | Moderate | Bags, films, shrink wrap |
| HDPE | More rigid | High | Containers, piping, sheets |
| LLDPE | Flexible | Higher puncture resistance | Stretch film, liners |
| MDPE | Semi-rigid | Moderate impact resistance | Gas pipes, packaging |
What Is LDPE Plastic Used For?
LDPE plastic is used for:
- Stretch wrap.
- Plastic bags.
- Shrink film.
- Industrial liners.
- Agricultural film.
- Squeeze bottles.
- Protective packaging.
Does LDPE Plastic Have Commercial Recycling Demand?
Yes, LDPE plastic has commercial recycling demand because manufacturers across packaging, agriculture, and industrial sectors actively source recycled LDPE to lower raw material costs and meet sustainability targets, which keeps consistent demand for clean scrap in the market.
Clean LDPE film and packaging scrap are especially valuable when generated in large and consistent quantities, as recycling facilities can process and reintegrate it into new manufacturing applications more efficiently.
What Forms of LDPE Are Most Accepted by Recyclers?
The forms of LDPE most accepted by recyclers are:
- Clear stretch film.
- Shrink wrap.
- Clean plastic bags.
- Industrial liners.
- Agricultural film.
- Post-industrial LDPE scrap.
How Is LDPE Plastic Recycled?
LDPE plastic is recycled through:
- Collection and sorting. LDPE film and packaging are separated from other plastic types to prevent cross-contamination that would lower the value of the final recycled resin.
- Removal of contaminants. Tape, adhesives, food residue, and printed labels are among the most common contaminants that recyclers look for and remove before processing begins.
- Shredding the plastic into smaller pieces. Reducing the material into uniform fragments increases surface area and makes the subsequent washing and melting stages faster and more consistent.
- Washing and drying. The shredded plastic is cleaned with water and detergent to remove remaining impurities, then thoroughly dried to prevent moisture from affecting the quality of the final pellets.
- Melting and pelletizing. The clean, dry material is fed into an extruder where it is melted down and formed into small pellets that can be handled, stored, and shipped like virgin resin.
- Manufacturing new plastic products. These pellets are sold to manufacturers who blend them with virgin resin or use them independently to produce new films, bags, liners, and packaging materials.
Of all the waste we generate, plastic bags are perhaps the greatest symbol of our throwaway society.
– Zac Goldsmith, former UK minister of environment
What Is LDPE Plastic Scrap Worth?
LDPE plastic scrap is currently worth between $0.08 and $0.35 per pound for clean industrial film and packaging material in the United States, with higher-quality loads that are baled, color-consistent, and low in contamination sometimes receiving stronger offers from buyers, according to pricing data tracked by industry sources such as ICIS and RecyclingMarkets(.net).
What Factors Affect the Price of LDPE Scrap?
The price of LDPE plastic scrap is affected by:
- Material cleanliness.
- Moisture exposure.
- Color consistency.
- Resin quality.
- Contamination levels.
- Transportation costs.
- Volume generated.
- Current recycled plastic demand.
Flexible packaging is the fastest growing plastic packaging category. Because it is almost uniformly single-use, with very low recycling and high leakage rates, it is also by far the most challenging market segment to address.
– Ellen MacArthur Foundation
How to Prepare Your LDPE Scrap to Maximize Its Value
To prepare LDPE plastic scrap for recycling, you should:
- Separate clean LDPE materials from general waste as early as possible. Keeping the material dry and free from contamination is one of the most important factors affecting resale value.
- Many businesses also improve transportation efficiency by baling or compacting LDPE film before pickup.
- Clear labeling and organized storage can also help recycling buyers process the material more efficiently.
Need to Sell LDPE Plastic? Carlin Waste Recycling Can Do It
Managing LDPE scrap internally can become difficult when materials begin taking up warehouse space and increasing disposal costs.
At Carlin Waste Recycling, we help businesses recover value from their recyclable plastics through organized brokerage.
Instead of treating LDPE scrap as waste, we can help your business to achieve a more efficient recycling process that supports sustainability and operational goals.
How We Handle LDPE Plastic Scrap: From Collection to Recovery
- Our process starts with evaluating the type and quantity of LDPE material your business generates regularly.
- After reviewing the material, transportation and pickup schedules are coordinated based on operational needs and logistics requirements.
- Once collected, the LDPE scrap is sorted and directed toward the most appropriate recycling and recovery channels.
- After the material is processed and verified, payment is issued according to current market pricing and material quality. Our goal is to simplify plastic recycling while helping your business to recover more value from its plastic waste.
Get a Quote to Sell Your LDPE Plastic Today
If your business produces LDPE plastic scrap on a regular basis, there could be recyclable value being overlooked within your operation.
Get a quote now and start recovering value from your LDPE scrap today!
LDPE Plastic FAQs
Is LDPE Plastic Safe?
Yes, LDPE plastic is considered safe for many commercial and consumer applications because it is durable, lightweight, and resistant to moisture.
Does LDPE Plastic Contain PFAS or Microplastics?
No, LDPE itself does not inherently contain PFAS, although plastic materials can contribute to microplastic pollution when improperly disposed of or degraded over time.
Are Ziploc Bags Made of LDPE?
Yes, Ziploc-style bags are commonly made from LDPE or LLDPE because these plastics provide flexibility, durability, and moisture resistance.
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