Alexei Volkov
Plastic is everywhere, from the clothes we wear to the food we eat. It is estimated that 9.2 billion tons of plastic have been produced since the 1950s, and yet, only 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled. Recycling plastic is complex, and many types of plastics are labelled as recyclable when they are not. In this post, we will explore some surprising facts about recycling plastic and the challenges we face in reducing plastic waste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic decomposition time | 450-1,000 years |
| Plastic recycling rate | 9% |
| Amount of plastic waste produced globally per year | 400 million tons |
| Amount of plastic waste produced in the U.S. in 2021 | 40 million tons |
| Percentage of plastic waste recycled in the U.S. in 2021 | 5-6% |
| Percentage decrease in plastics recovered for recycling in the U.S. between 2019 and 2020 | 5.7% |
| Percentage of plastic used for packaging | 36% |
| Percentage of plastic packaging that ends up in landfills | 85% |
| Percentage of single-use plastic products made from fossil fuels | 98% |
| Number of plastic bottles recycled to create enough fiber for one square foot of carpet | 5 |
| Number of plastic bottles Americans throw away every hour | 2.5 million |
| Amount of energy saved by recycling one ton of plastic bottles | Energy used by a two-person household for one year |
| Number of cans the average person has the opportunity to recycle in a lifetime | 25,000 |
| Amount of energy saved by recycling one aluminium can | Enough to power a TV for three hours |
| Percentage of plastic waste that is mechanically recycled | 14-18% |
| Percentage of plastic waste that is incinerated as energy recovery | 24% |
| Percentage of plastic waste that is disposed of in landfills or dumped in the environment | 58-62% |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic is being recycled at a lower rate than previously estimated
- Plastic cannot be recycled infinitely without degrading in quality
- Plastic products must be washed before being recycled
- Plastic is often mislabelled as recyclable when it is not
- Recycling plastic is more costly and energy-intensive than creating new plastic
Plastic is being recycled at a lower rate than previously estimated
Plastic is notoriously difficult to recycle, and the process is far more complicated than for other materials. The recycling of plastic is dictated by market demand, price determinations, and local regulations, and the success of the process depends on everyone, from the product designer to the consumer.
The average plastic product can only be recycled about 2-3 times before its quality decreases to the point where it can no longer be used. This is because each time plastic is recycled, the polymer chain grows shorter, and its quality decreases. Furthermore, the presence of food residue or organic waste contaminates plastic containers, rendering them unable to be processed or cleared for further recycling.
The complexity of plastic as a material also poses challenges to recycling. Many plastic products are made from multiple layers of different materials, which are difficult and costly to separate and recycle individually. An example of this is multi-layered coffee cups, which have a wax layer for the label and an aluminium layer to protect the contents from external heat.
The difficulties and costs associated with recycling plastic mean that many types of plastic are labelled as recyclable when they are not. Plastic is being recycled at a lower rate than previously estimated, and in many cases, it is more costly and energy-intensive to recycle plastic than to create new plastic from raw materials. Globally, approximately 400 million tons of plastic waste is produced each year, but only 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled. In the US, only 5-6% of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in 2021 was recycled.
The low rate of plastic recycling has significant environmental implications. Plastic takes an estimated 450-1000 years to decompose, and it is estimated that 85% of single-use plastic products end up in landfills.
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Plastic cannot be recycled infinitely without degrading in quality
Plastic is a household staple for families and communities worldwide. However, it is essential to understand that plastic cannot be recycled infinitely without degrading in quality.
Firstly, it is important to know that plastics are polymers, long chains of atoms "arranged in repeating units often much longer than those found in nature." The length of these chains and their arrangement are what make polymers strong, lightweight, and flexible. In other words, it's what makes them so plastic. However, each time plastic is recycled, the polymer chain grows shorter, and its quality decreases. The same piece of plastic can only be recycled about 2-3 times before its quality decreases to the point where it can no longer be used. This is why recycled goods have to compete with new products in the market; consumers are less likely to want to buy something of lower quality.
Additionally, each time plastic is recycled, virgin material is added to help "upgrade" its quality so that the recycled product can compete with new goods in the market. This is not the case with glass and metal (including aluminum), which can be recycled infinitely without losing quality or purity in the product.
The process of recycling plastics is dictated by market demand, price determinations, and local regulations. The success of recycling depends on everyone, from the product designer to the consumer. Consumers play a critical role, as the value and quality of recycled products are determined by how we use our products and in what shape we throw them away. For example, plastic with food residues usually cannot be recycled, and only good-quality, clean plastics can go through the recycling process.
While plastic cannot be recycled infinitely without degrading in quality, researchers from Colorado State University have developed a chemical recycling method that breaks down plastic into its "building blocks." These building blocks can then be purified and turned back into plastic, potentially cutting down on plastic waste.
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Plastic products must be washed before being recycled
Recycling is a complex process influenced by market demand, price, local regulations, and the actions of various stakeholders. Consumers play a critical role in this process, and their habits can determine the value and quality of recycled goods. For instance, recycled goods must compete with new products in the market, and contaminated recycled goods are less desirable.
The easiest items to recycle are those made from a single material, such as water bottles made from 100% PET plastic. Multi-layered products, like coffee cups with a wax layer for the label and an aluminium layer to protect the contents, are more challenging to recycle. The layers are often thin and tightly stacked, making it time-consuming and costly for recycling factories to separate and recycle each piece.
Furthermore, plastic recycling rates are low, with only about 9% of plastic ever produced being recycled. The world produces about 400 million tons of plastic waste annually, but plastic is recycled at an even lower rate than previously estimated. Plastic is often labelled as recyclable when it is not, contributing to the issue.
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Plastic is often mislabelled as recyclable when it is not
There are several reasons why plastic is sometimes mislabelled as recyclable. One reason is that the recycling process for plastic is complex and costly. Plastic recycling often involves multiple steps, including sorting, cleaning, and processing, which can be time-consuming and expensive. In some cases, it may be more cost-effective for companies to create new plastic from raw materials than to recycle existing plastic.
Another reason for mislabelling is the variety of plastic types and the lack of standardisation in recycling processes. There are seven main types of plastic, each with different recyclability. Additionally, some plastics are multi-layered or plastic-lined, which makes them difficult or impossible to recycle. The recycling industry's success relies on everyone, from product designers to consumers, understanding what can and cannot be recycled and properly sorting and preparing items for recycling.
Furthermore, the success of plastic recycling is dictated by market demand and local regulations. Recycled goods compete with new products in the market, and if there is low demand for recycled products, it can be challenging to find outlets for recycled materials. Additionally, local regulations and infrastructure can impact the availability and effectiveness of recycling programs.
The mislabelling of plastic as recyclable has severe environmental consequences. Plastic can take between 450 to 1,000 years to decompose, and it is estimated that the world produces about 400 million tons of plastic waste annually. The low recycling rates of plastic contribute to the accumulation of plastic waste in landfills, oceans, and the environment, leading to pollution, ecological damage, and harm to wildlife.
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Recycling plastic is more costly and energy-intensive than creating new plastic
Plastic recycling is a complex process that is often more costly and energy-intensive than creating new plastic. Firstly, it is important to understand that not all plastics are created equal; there are seven main types of plastics, each with different recyclability. This means that some plastics are labelled as recyclable when, in reality, they are not. This misinformation is rampant and contributes to the low recycling rates. For example, multi-layered products, such as coffee cups with a wax layer for the label and an aluminium layer to protect the contents, are challenging to recycle. The layers are often thin and tightly stacked, making it time-consuming and costly for recycling factories to separate and recycle each piece.
Additionally, plastic cannot be recycled infinitely like glass and metal. Every time plastic is recycled, the polymer chain grows shorter, resulting in decreased quality. This means that the same piece of plastic can only be recycled 2-3 times before its quality becomes too low to be used again. This limitation further contributes to the higher cost and energy intensity of recycling plastic compared to creating new plastic.
The success of plastic recycling also depends on various factors, including market demand, price determinations, and local regulations, as well as the actions of consumers, product designers, waste collectors, and recycling factory workers. For instance, if consumers do not rinse food residue from plastic containers before recycling, the contamination can render the entire batch unrecyclable. This results in higher costs and energy requirements to process and recycle the plastic.
Furthermore, the global production of plastic waste far exceeds the amount being recycled. The world produces about 400 million tons of plastic waste annually, with only 5-6% of plastic waste in the US being recycled in 2021. This low recycling rate is partly due to the challenges posed by plastic's quick degradation in quality and the complexity of certain plastic products, making it more costly and energy-intensive to recycle than to create new plastic.
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Frequently asked questions
The same piece of plastic can be recycled about 2-3 times before its quality decreases to the point where it can no longer be used.
Only about 9% of all the plastic ever produced has been recycled. In 2021, of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in the U.S., only 5-6% was recycled.
Plastic that is not recycled ends up in landfills, oceans, and dumpsites.
Recycled plastic is turned into new products, such as carpets, clothing, and ski jackets.
Plastic is difficult to recycle because it is often made from multiple layers of different materials, which are challenging and costly to separate. Plastic is also easily contaminated by food residue, which makes it harder to recycle.
