The Plastic Recycling Myth: What's Really Happening?

Plastic recycling rates vary widely depending on the industry and type of plastic in question, making it difficult to find accurate information on how much of the world's plastic is actually recycled. While most plastics are theoretically recyclable, only a small percentage is recycled due to the complex nature of the process. For instance, in the United States, only around 5% of over 50 million tons of plastic waste produced by households in 2021 was recycled, according to Greenpeace. Similarly, the National Association for PET Container Resources found that in 2017, only 21% of the plastic bottles collected for recycling were turned into new products. The recycling process is costly, and recycled plastic is often of lower quality than new plastic, making it cheaper and more appealing for manufacturers to produce new plastics.

Plastic recycling rates

According to the OECD, only about 9% of the world's plastic waste is recycled, with the remaining 91% being discarded through incineration, landfill, or environmental pollution. This percentage varies across different countries and regions due to differences in measurement methods and data collection practices. For example, some countries measure recycling rates per capita, while others use weight or only consider specific types of plastic.

The recycling process for plastic is complex and costly. Plastic waste must be separated into different polymers, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE), as they cannot be recycled together. The recycling process also involves shredding, melting, and moulding, which alters the molecular structure of the plastic and reduces its quality. As a result, plastic can only be recycled a limited number of times before it becomes unusable.

In addition to the technical challenges, economic factors also play a significant role in low recycling rates. The cost of recycling plastic is often higher than producing new plastic due to the labour-intensive sorting, collection, processing, and transportation required. Furthermore, the market for recycled plastics is limited, as the value of the raw material is often lower than the cost of recycling.

Despite efforts to improve recycling rates, such as resin identification codes, the reality is that most plastic waste ends up in landfills or incinerated. This is particularly true for harder plastics numbered 3-7, which have a very small market for recycling. The issue is further exacerbated by greenwashing practices in the industry, where companies overstate the recyclable properties of their products.

Plastic recycling processes

Plastic recycling is a complex process that aims to reduce pollution and benefit the environment. It involves multiple steps, including collection, sorting, shredding, washing, melting, and casting into moulds. Despite its environmental benefits, plastic recycling faces challenges due to the variety of plastic types and the economic viability of recycling processes.

The first step in plastic recycling is the collection of used plastic materials from various sources, such as homes, institutions, and public recycling containers. This step is crucial as it determines the amount of material available for recycling. It is important to separate common waste from plastic waste before depositing it into recycling containers.

The next step is sorting, which can be done by colour, thickness, or resin identification codes. Sorting is essential as most recycling machines can only process one type of plastic at a time. Certain plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE), cannot be recycled together. In some cases, a sink float separator is used to differentiate between low-density and high-density plastics.

After sorting, the plastics are shredded into smaller pieces to facilitate the reuse process. The shredded plastic then undergoes a washing process to remove impurities, such as dirt and organic residue, ensuring the plastic is clean before proceeding to the next stage.

Following the washing stage, the plastic is melted down at high temperatures, altering its molecular structure. This process reduces the quality of the recycled product, limiting the number of times plastic can be recycled before degradation. Finally, the molten plastic is cast into moulds to create new products.

While plastic recycling has environmental benefits, it also faces challenges. The recycling process can be time-consuming and costly, involving labour-intensive sorting, collection, processing, and transportation. Additionally, the variety of plastic types and their chemical compositions further complicate the recycling process. Despite these challenges, mechanical recycling, which includes processes like grinding, washing, and separating, is the most common approach used for recycling plastics worldwide.

Plastic recycling barriers

Plastic recycling rates vary widely depending on the industry and type of plastic in question. While most plastics are theoretically recyclable, only a small percentage is recycled due to the complex nature of the process. According to the OECD, only about 9% of the world's plastic is recycled, with the remaining 91% being discarded through incineration, landfill, or pollution. Several barriers contribute to the low recycling rates, including economic, infrastructural, and educational challenges.

One significant barrier to plastic recycling is the cost. Recycling plastic is more expensive than disposing of it in landfills due to the labor-intensive sorting, collection, processing, and transportation involved. Additionally, the low cost of raw materials and affordable price of plastic make it more financially attractive for brands to dispose of plastic waste rather than recycle it. The recycling process also requires robust sorting systems and additional processes like cleaning and melting, which further increase the costs.

Another barrier is the lack of infrastructure in many places. Proper plastic recycling requires specialized equipment and facilities, which may not be available in all areas. This is particularly challenging for certain types of plastic that are harder to recycle, such as those used in the construction industry. Local infrastructure also plays a role, as some materials may not be properly recycled due to limitations in the local waste management system.

Education and awareness are also crucial barriers to plastic recycling. Consumers often lack knowledge about what can and cannot be recycled, leading to non-recyclable materials contaminating recyclable streams and compromising the machinery. Additionally, there is a lack of standardization in recycling practices, with varying measurement methods and resin identification codes that can be misleading.

Furthermore, the complex nature of plastic as a material poses a challenge. Plastic is a collective term for hundreds of different materials, each with unique properties affecting color, shape, structure, and melting point. This diversity requires meticulous sorting and separation to keep the recycled plastic as pure as possible, which is challenging and time-consuming.

To overcome these barriers, collaborative efforts are necessary. Manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers must work together to find solutions, such as product designs that facilitate disassembly and separation of plastic content, and improved communication about recycling practices and objectives. Additionally, there is a growing demand for alternative materials with proven sustainability credentials to replace plastics.

Countries that recycle the most/least plastic

While the world generates about 350 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, only 9% of it is recycled. Half of the world's plastic waste goes to landfills, while a fifth is mismanaged, meaning it is not recycled, incinerated, or stored in sealed landfills. The amount of plastic waste that is mismanaged varies across the world, but it is generally higher in low-to-middle-income countries due to poorer waste management infrastructure.

Countries that recycle the most plastic

• Germany: Germany leads the world in waste management and recycling. The country has reduced its total waste by 1 million tonnes per year through its recycling scheme. Germany recycles 70% of all waste produced, the most in the world.
• Austria: Austria has one of the highest recycling rates globally. 96% of the population separates their waste into recyclable categories, with each household sorting an average of 1 million tonnes of waste annually.
• Switzerland: In Zurich, there are around 12,000 recycling points, with recycling done through door-to-door collection or at these points. Recycling is mandatory in Switzerland, and failure to do so can result in fines. 50% of waste is recycled, and the remaining waste is used to produce energy.
• South Korea: South Korea has significantly improved its food recycling rate from 2% in 1995 to 95%. Households pay a small monthly fee for each bag of biodegradable food scraps, and waste must be sorted into specific categories and prepared for recycling.
• Wales: Wales recycles around 65% of its total waste through its council and citizen-led initiatives. By 2025, Wales plans to recycle 70% of its waste and process the remaining 30% through waste plants.

Countries that recycle the least plastic

• United States: The United States produces over 42 million metric tonnes of plastic waste annually, with at least 85% disposed of in landfills. The recycling rate for plastic waste in the US is declining, with only 5-6% recycled as of 2021.
• China: As the biggest producer of plastic, China generates about 60 million tonnes of plastic waste, but only 16 million tonnes are recycled. While China has taken steps to combat plastic waste, including a ban on single-use plastics, about 70.6% of its waste is incinerated, recycled, or mismanaged.
• Brazil: As the world's fourth-largest producer of plastic waste, Brazil generates about 11.3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, of which only 1.28% is recycled. Much of the waste ends up in landfills, is mismanaged, or pollutes the ocean.
• Japan: Despite its reputation for environmental awareness, Japan faces a severe plastic waste problem. With around 9 million tonnes of plastic waste produced annually, Japan's recycling rate is only 19.9%. While the country has efficient methods of collecting recyclable materials, a significant amount of plastic waste is incinerated or exported for processing.

Plastic recycling alternatives

Plastic recycling rates are stagnating, and the practical deficiencies of plastic recycling are becoming harder to ignore. The recycling process is complex and costly, and plastic can only be recycled a few times before it becomes unusable. As a result, only a small percentage of plastic is recycled, and the remaining waste ends up in landfills and oceans, causing significant environmental and health issues. Therefore, it is essential to explore alternatives to plastic recycling. Here are some suggestions:

Sustainable Materials

Natural materials such as wood, glass, metal, and paper can replace plastic in various applications. For example, wood from sustainably managed forests can be used for household items like cutting boards, kitchen utensils, and tableware. Glass bottles can be used for drinks instead of plastic water bottles, and metal or glass can replace plastic packaging for items like soap and detergent. Paper bags can also replace plastic bags, and reusable shopping bags can further reduce plastic waste.

Biodegradable Plastics

Bioplastics are made from natural substances instead of petroleum and are designed to be biodegradable or compostable. However, most bioplastics require commercial composting facilities, which are not always accessible to consumers. Additionally, some bioplastics may contain significant amounts of conventional plastic, reducing their environmental benefits.

Aliphatic Polyesters

These biodegradable plastics are being explored as alternatives to aromatic polyesters, which are commonly used in water bottles but are resistant to microbial breakdown. For example, polycaprolactone (PCL) is a synthetic aliphatic polyester that degrades after six weeks of composting. However, manufacturing costs have limited its widespread use.

Sustainable Clothing and Household Items

Organic cotton, wool, hemp, or bamboo are sustainable alternatives to plastic-based clothing. These materials do not shed plastic fibers when washed, reducing plastic pollution. Felted or recycled wool is also a versatile and compostable material for children's toys and household containers.

Bamboo Products

Bamboo is a fast-growing and sustainable resource that can be used for eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. Bamboo toothbrushes, for example, offer a more environmentally friendly option than plastic toothbrushes, which often end up in landfills. Bamboo is also suitable for kitchen utensils, scrubbing brushes, and other household items.

These suggestions provide a starting point for exploring alternatives to plastic recycling. By adopting these alternatives, we can reduce our dependence on plastic, minimize plastic waste, and mitigate the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution.

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