Is Plastic Recycling Effective?
Many of us have come to understand that plastic is harmful to the environment and can have a negative impact on our health. That’s why in many countries, plastic recycling programs have been implemented and many individuals make an effort to recycle the plastic they use. This raises the question: how successful is plastic recycling?
In this article, we will explore the process of plastic recycling. We’ll discover what happens to recycled plastic, how effective recycling is, and what individuals and businesses can do to help ensure plastic use is reduced and any used plastic is recycled. Introduction to Plastic Recycling
Plastic recycling involves taking used or discarded plastic and transforming it into new materials and products. One objective of this process is to conserve natural resources. Other important goals include preventing pollution from excessive plastic manufacturing and reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or is discarded into the environment and oceans.
One challenge with plastic is that it comprises different types. Plastic comes in various forms, and not all of them can be easily recycled. One of the main issues is that the recyclability of plastic types can vary depending on the location and the availability of local facilities and initiatives.
Plastics can be categorized into two main groups: thermoplastics and thermosets. Thermoplastics are flexible and can be melted and reshaped into different forms, while thermosets are rigid and not easily melted.
When it comes to recycling, thermoplastics are usually recyclable, whereas thermoset plastics have traditionally not been recycled, although they might have been utilized for energy recovery through incineration. Today, thanks to technological advancements, it is possible to recycle thermoset plastics, but the recycling rate for these types of plastic remains low since most recycling facilities do not handle this material.
The most commonly recycled plastics include Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), High-density Polyethylene (HDPE), and Polypropylene (PP). These plastics are often used for single-use items such as plastic bottles. Single-use plastic products made from these plastic types typically include water bottles, soda bottles, milk cartons, shampoo bottles, and food containers.
However, there are other single-use plastic products that are challenging to recycle (unless specialized facilities are available). These include multi-layered packaging like crisp packets (due to the aluminum layer inside) and other plastics such as plastic film used for wrapping food. These items can be made from a range of plastics, including Polypropylene (PP), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), and even Nylon or PET. While technically these products can be recycled, local facilities often do not support the recycling of these materials. As a result, these plastic types are either disposed of in traditional ways or need to be transported to specialized facilities, which is not always cost-effective.
Determining which plastic types can be recycled and where they can be processed can be challenging. Unfortunately, there are no fixed rules regarding the availability of recycling facilities. That’s why most plastic packaging bears a Recycling International Code (RIC) label, a small triangle with a number inside, which indicates the type of plastic used. The RIC can be cross-referenced with local recycling initiatives to determine whether they accept that particular plastic type or not.
The Plastics Recycling Process
The process of recycling plastics begins with the collection or ‘Recovery’ stage. This is a challenging aspect of plastic recycling because without proper collection, recycling cannot take place. It often requires active participation from businesses or consumers to ensure the maximum amount of plastic is recovered.
The methods of plastic collection vary, but a key issue is ensuring that the correct types of plastics are collected, while those that cannot be recycled are excluded. This can sometimes lead to confusion due to different local schemes and variations within a country. Plastic materials are typically handled at local recycling plants, and not all facilities can process all types of plastic. Therefore, various curbside recycling schemes may operate in different areas.
Another significant challenge is the lack of waste collection. For instance, plastic from fast food containers may either be separated as recyclable materials or thrown into general waste, depending on whether it goes to a Waste Management facility or a Resource Recovery site. This highlights why plastic recycling, while beneficial, is not the complete solution to the plastic waste problem. Ultimately, reducing our reliance on plastic products is a more effective strategy to address the issue.
Recyclable materials that are collected are sent to recycling plants, also known as Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), where they are further processed.
The second stage of the plastic recycling process involves sorting the plastic. Plastic recyclables are sorted according to their resin type, enabling separate processing for each type. This helps ensure that the recycled plastic can be used to create high-quality materials and products.
Properly sorting plastics from organic materials is crucial to prevent contamination. While MRFs separate difficult-to-recycle materials like PVC, PS, multi-laminates, and soft plastics, it is beneficial to be aware of the recycling practices in your area and the specific facility requirements. Some facilities may require the removal of soft plastics.
There are various methods used to sort plastic at recycling plants. Without delving into technical details, the process can involve manual sorting or automated technology to identify and separate different types of plastic and other recyclable materials.
The next step in the plastic recycling process is washing. This is done to remove labels, adhesives, and any waste materials such as organic matter or food residue from the plastic. If contaminants are not removed, they can adversely affect the overall quality of the recycled plastic material, limiting its usability.
Following washing, the plastic waste undergoes shredding and cutting. The specific method used depends on the type of plastic materials required.
Finally, once shredded, the plastic is heated to make it malleable. It is then reformed into plastic pellets that can be used as raw materials in the manufacturing of new plastic products. This is why thermoset plastics (accounting for 20% of all plastics) are typically not recycled in the conventional way, as they undergo a chemical reaction and harden, preventing melting when heated.
Remoulded plastic can be used to create a wide range of products, including food containers, plastic bags, furniture, and clothing. Many companies now incorporate recycled plastic into their products to minimize their environmental impact and reduce the use of virgin materials.
The Efficacy of Plastic Recycling
One of the primary concerns regarding plastic recycling is its effectiveness. Unfortunately, a major issue with plastic recycling is that only a small proportion of the plastic that could be recycled actually undergoes the process. Current data indicates that globally, a mere 15% of plastics are reclaimed, with a meagre 9% actually being recycled. There is still a long way to go before plastic recycling can truly be considered a solution to the problem of plastic waste.
While there is some positive news in terms of the increasing efficiency and effectiveness of plastic recycling, thanks to advancements in technology and improved recycling methods, the unfortunate reality is that our growing reliance on plastic exacerbates the issue. This is because the demand for new plastics far surpasses the amount of plastic that ends up in recycling bins. Consequently, plastic pollution continues to rise and worsen.
Recycling is just one aspect of the solution. We need to reduce our consumption, recover all plastic materials currently in use, repurpose as much as possible through reuse or remanufacturing, and prioritize the recycling of easily recyclable materials such as PET, HDPE, and PP. This will help minimize the need for additional virgin plastics. Recycling constitutes the third component of the Ellen MacArthur Global Commitments and plays a vital role in the circular economy.
Challenges Faced by Plastic Recycling
Despite technological advancements and improved recycling processes, plastic recycling still faces numerous challenges. One of the most significant issues is contamination. Contamination occurs when plastic products are mixed with other materials or substances, such as food or dirt. This renders the material difficult to recycle, as the contamination interferes with the melting and molding processes. Addressing this problem requires source separation, wherein organics and plastics are kept separate through education and proper management.
Another challenge, as previously mentioned, is that not all plastics can be recycled. Certain plastics, like Styrofoam and PVC, are not easily recyclable and must be disposed of through alternative means. Consequently, even when plastics are recycled, some of them still end up in landfills. Recycling programs at the local level can vary significantly, ranging from comprehensive to virtually non-existent. Consequently, waste management poses a significant challenge for the recycling industry. Plastic materials that cannot be reused, repurposed, or recycled should be avoided altogether, as they contribute the most to landfill accumulation and environmental pollution, aligning with the principles of a circular economy.
Lastly, the amount of recyclable plastic that goes unrecycled is alarmingly high and significantly contributes to the current plastic crisis. The shortage of local recycling facilities capable of handling plastic recycling is a major factor, as most communities primarily focus on waste management rather than resource recovery. According to Our World in Data, 55% of the world’s plastic production ultimately ends up in landfills, while 25% is destined for incineration. The single-use packaging industry is the primary contributor to this colossal waste crisis.
The Advantages of Plastic Recycling
Despite the challenges, there are still numerous advantages to plastic recycling. Recycling plastic helps preserve valuable natural resources. The production of plastics is highly resource-intensive as fossil fuels and petrochemicals are utilized in the manufacturing process of traditional plastics. When plastics are used once and then discarded, they impose a significant environmental cost. Additionally, the annual production of tons of plastic generates carbon emissions as a by-product. Recycling plastic helps mitigate this substantial cost.
Plastic recycling also aids in the reduction of pollution, as there is no need to manufacture new plastics and waste plastic is not incinerated, which contributes to climate change and global warming. Furthermore, recycling plastic can decrease the amount of energy required to produce new products. This is because recycling plastic consumes less energy compared to creating new material from scratch.
Additionally, recycling plastic helps minimize the volume of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or oceans, thereby reducing the impact of plastics on these ecosystems. When plastics are dumped in landfills, they disintegrate into microplastics, and toxic chemicals can leach into the soil. In marine environments, plastic has a devastating effect on marine life. Oceanic plastic waste can even enter the human food chain.
Furthermore, plastic recycling contributes to job creation within the recycling industry. In developing countries, recycling initiatives can provide valuable income to communities through local recycling projects, such as those in which the Plastic Collective is involved.
The Future of Plastic Recycling
At first glance, the future of plastic recycling may appear promising. However, plastic usage continues to escalate, resulting in plastic ultimately ending up in landfills. Recent estimates from the OECD indicate that plastic waste is projected to triple by 2060, with half of this plastic remaining unrecycled. Population growth and economic expansion are two factors contributing to governments’ struggle against plastic, along with the increasing consumption of single-use plastic packaging.
As technology advances and more companies embrace the utilization of recycled materials, there is potential for a decrease in the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and the environment. Nevertheless, if our plastic consumption continues to grow as predicted, regardless of advancements in recycling technology, the environmental outlook remains bleak. Only with ongoing innovation and commitment from businesses can we ensure a reduced amount of plastics ending up in landfills and the environment.
Plastic recycling plays a crucial role in reducing plastic waste and preserving natural resources. With technological advancements and enhanced recycling processes, a greater proportion of the plastic we use can be recycled and reused.
It is important to bear in mind that not all plastics can be recycled, hence reducing our reliance on plastics is vital. Businesses have a significant role to play in this regard, and consumer choice is a key factor. If we opt not to purchase products containing plastic, businesses will respond accordingly.
Unfortunately, when it comes to consumers, price and convenience often take precedence over potential environmental benefits in the short term. This is where governments and nations need to collaborate in order to address the issue of plastic usage and pollution.
Initiatives such as the United Nations’ “End Plastic Pollution” campaign may prove helpful. Implementing restrictions and legislation on businesses and the plastic industry may be the most effective way to combat the issue of plastic waste.