The Plastic Problem: Unrecyclable Plastics' Devastating Impact

Plastic recycling is an important part of reducing our ecological footprint and protecting the environment. However, only a small percentage of plastic is truly recyclable, with estimates ranging from 5% to 10% globally. The rest ends up in landfills, oceans, and other places, contributing to the global plastic pollution crisis. This introduction will explore the reasons behind the low recyclability of plastic and the potential solutions to address this issue.

The recycling symbol on plastic packaging is misleading

The low percentage of plastic recycling is due to a variety of factors, including the material properties of plastics. About 75% of global plastics produced are thermoplastics that can be melted and moulded over and over to produce new plastics, which in theory makes them recyclable. However, the remaining 25% are thermoset plastics that do not soften when exposed to heat, making them nearly impossible to recycle. These thermoset plastics are used in products such as electrical insulation, ropes, belts, and pipes.

The plastics industry has been accused of misleading the public about the recyclability of plastics, with critics arguing that they have spent millions of dollars to make people believe that plastics are recyclable when, in fact, over 90% of them are not. This has led to a global plastic pollution crisis, as our recycling capacity is currently unable to handle the amount and types of plastic we are discarding.

To address this issue, some states and countries have implemented parameters or outright bans on plastic bags and other single-use plastic products. Consumers are also encouraged to take measures to cut down their plastic consumption, such as avoiding products packaged in plastic and seeking out stores that offer product refills in reusable containers.

The plastics industry has lied to the public about recyclability

The low percentage of plastic recycling is due to several factors. Firstly, not all plastics can be recycled due to their material properties. About 75% of global plastics produced are thermoplastics that can be melted and moulded to produce new plastics, making them theoretically recyclable. However, the remaining 25% are thermoset plastics that do not soften when exposed to heat, making them nearly impossible to recycle. Examples of products that use this type of plastic include electrical insulation, ropes, belts, and pipes.

Another factor contributing to the low recycling rate is the many different types of plastics that cannot be recycled together. This makes it challenging for recycling plants to process all the plastic items they receive, resulting in most plastic waste ending up in landfills and oceans. The global recycling capacity is currently unable to handle the amount and types of plastic being discarded, highlighting the need for immediate solutions to the plastic pollution crisis.

Furthermore, the misleading arrow symbol on plastic packaging has led consumers to overwhelm recycling plants with unrecyclable plastic items. This issue has been recognised by the Environmental Protection Agency, which has requested the Federal Trade Commission to modify the symbol. While plastic recycling is important, it is evident that the plastics industry has not been transparent about the recyclability of their products, and consumers are left bearing the brunt of the plastic pollution crisis.

Thermoset plastics are near-impossible to recycle

Only a small percentage of plastic is recycled. The global average in 2016 was 10%, while in the US, only 5% to 6% of plastics are recycled. This is due to the many different types of plastic that cannot be recycled together.

Thermoset plastics are chemically bonded, which gives them their strength and stiffness. This crosslinking of polymer chains means that they cannot be untangled when heated, unlike thermoplastics. When thermoset plastics are heated, they will typically burn before they can be remoulded.

While thermoset plastics are difficult to recycle, researchers are working on ways to make them more recyclable. An international team of researchers has developed thermosetting polymers that can be easily recycled, which could be useful in the electronics industry for the simpler recovery of high-value components from a circuit board.

Plastic recycling is an important part of the picture

The majority of plastic—up to 91%—is not recycled. This is due in part to the material properties of plastics. About 75% of global plastics produced are thermoplastics that can be melted and moulded repeatedly to produce new plastics, which in theory makes all thermoplastics recyclable. However, the remaining 25% are thermoset plastics that do not soften when exposed to heat, making them extremely difficult to recycle. Examples of products that contain this type of plastic include electrical insulation, ropes, belts, and pipes.

The low recyclability of plastics is also due to the many different types that cannot be recycled together. This has led to a situation where consumers are often misled by the ubiquitous chasing arrows symbol on plastic packaging, which indicates that the plastic is recyclable. As a result, recycling plants are overwhelmed with plastic items they cannot process, and the majority of plastic waste ends up in landfills and our oceans.

To address the global plastic pollution crisis, we need to look beyond recycling and focus on reducing our plastic consumption. This might involve seeking out stores that offer product refills in reusable containers or supporting states that have put parameters or outright bans on plastic bags and other single-use plastic products. While plastic recycling has an important role to play, it is just one piece of the puzzle in tackling the environmental impact of plastics.

Plastic recycling rates are low in the US

The decline in recycling rates can also be attributed to China's ban on plastic waste imports in 2018, which resulted in a shortfall in capacity that was never recouped. Additionally, the per capita generation of plastic waste has increased by 263% since 1980, further contributing to the low recycling rates.

The low reprocessing rates of plastic waste are concerning, especially when compared to the high recycling rates of other materials such as paper, cardboard, and metals. For example, paper recycling has increased from 21.3% in 1980 to 68.2% in 2018. This suggests that recycling can be an effective solution for reclaiming valuable natural resources, but the unique challenges posed by plastic waste require alternative solutions.

Furthermore, the different types of plastics that cannot be recycled together contribute to the low recycling rates. While 52% of recycling facilities in the US accept "number 5" plastics (cups and containers), less than 5% of this plastic is actually repurposed. The National Association for PET Container Resources found that only 21% of plastic bottles collected for recycling were turned into new products.

To address the low recycling rates, consumers are encouraged to reduce their plastic consumption and seek out stores that offer product refills in reusable containers. Some states have also implemented parameters or bans on single-use plastic products. However, the low recycling rates of plastic in the US highlight the need for more immediate solutions to the global plastic pollution crisis.

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