The Plastic Paradox: Reuse And The Environment

Plastic is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste, with over 300 million tons produced annually. Despite the best efforts of consumers, the vast majority of plastic that people use ends up in landfills, despite being placed in recycling bins. The recycling rate for all plastic stands at 8.7% according to the Environmental Protection Agency, though some estimates place this figure even lower at 5-6%. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that plastic production is increasing, and the amount of plastic being turned into new products is falling. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Plastic Economy Initiative states that for plastic to be considered 'recyclable', it must have a recycling rate of 30%, and no plastic has ever been recycled at this rate.

Plastic bottles and jugs recycling rates

Plastic bottles and jugs are typically made from #1 plastic, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or #2 plastic, high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Most recycling programs accept these plastics, and they can be recycled into new bottles and jugs, as well as other products such as t-shirts, sweaters, fleece jackets, and playground equipment.

The recycling rates for plastic bottles and jugs vary across different countries. In the United States, the recycling rate for PET bottles is about 24%, and only about 30% of plastic bottles and jugs are recycled. This is in stark contrast to countries like Norway, which boasts a recycling rate of 97% for PET bottles, and Sweden, which had a PET bottle recycling rate of 80% in 2004. Germany leads the world in overall recycling rates, with a rate of 56.1%.

The low recycling rates in the US can be attributed to the lack of a nationwide bottle deposit program. MIT researchers found that implementing such a program could increase recycling rates to 82%, with nearly two-thirds of all PET bottles being recycled. Additionally, the beverage and retail industries and their trade associations have been a hindrance to passing new container deposit laws.

To improve recycling rates, it is important to focus on the whole cycle of supply and demand and the different players involved. Policies should aim for extended producer responsibility, considering the needs of existing municipal waste-recovery facilities and implementing safeguards to protect them from lost revenues due to bottle deposits. Technological advancements and innovations, such as chemical recycling and advanced sorting systems, can also increase the efficiency and quality of plastic bottle recycling.

Individuals can play a role in increasing recycling rates by properly recycling their plastic bottles and jugs. This includes ensuring that the bottles and jugs are empty, clean, and dry before placing them in the recycling bin. It is also important to check with local recycling programs about specific guidelines, such as whether to keep caps on the bottles or not.

Plastic bags and incineration

Plastic bags are a major contributor to the world's plastic waste problem. While recycling plastic bags seems like the right thing to do, in reality, only a small fraction of them are actually recycled. The vast majority end up in landfills or are incinerated, both of which have significant negative environmental and health impacts.

Single-use plastic bags are a huge source of waste, with Americans using an average of 365 plastic bags per person per year. Despite efforts to reduce their use, such as bag bans and reusable alternatives, plastic bags continue to be a common form of pollution. Many governments worldwide have implemented bag bans to curb their use, and shoppers have been quick to adapt to these changes, with reusable bag usage increasing significantly in areas where bans are in place.

However, the problem of plastic bag waste persists. When plastic bags are disposed of in landfills, they can take up to 1,000 years to degrade, slowly breaking down into microplastics. These microplastics contaminate the environment, finding their way into water, food, and even the human body. Birds and marine animals often mistake plastic bags for food, leading to tragic consequences. Additionally, plastic bags can clog sewers, snag on trees, and blow into water bodies, requiring costly clean-up operations.

Incineration of plastic bags is another common method of disposal, but it is no less harmful. Burning plastic releases toxic fumes and chemicals, such as BPA and phthalates, which have been linked to premature deaths, neurodevelopmental issues, and hormonal disruptions. The ash and toxins released during combustion can travel long distances, spreading these health hazards far and wide.

To address the problem of plastic bag waste, it is crucial to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and improve recycling systems. Individuals can play a role by using reusable bags, buying in bulk, and supporting legislation that holds companies accountable for their plastic waste. By working together, we can keep plastics from becoming a forever pollutant.

Plastic production and recycling

Plastic production and consumption have quadrupled over the past 30 years, with over 300 million tons of plastic being produced annually. The plastic age began around 1950, but large-scale production was realised during World War II, with nylon replacing silk in parachutes and Perspex being used as a lightweight alternative to glass in aeroplanes.

Plastic recycling involves processing plastic waste into other products. It can reduce dependence on landfills, conserve resources, and protect the environments from plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the recycling rates for plastics lag behind those of other recoverable materials like aluminium, glass, and paper.

The recycling rate for all plastics is low, with only 9% of plastic waste being successfully recycled globally. This is due to a lack of capacity for recycling various plastics, and the fact that not all plastics can be recycled. 75% of global plastics produced are thermoplastics that can be melted and moulded to produce new plastics, while the remaining 25% are thermoset plastics that cannot be softened by heat, making them nearly impossible to recycle.

The recycling rate for plastic bottles and jugs is higher, at around 30%. However, the recycling rates for other plastic items are much lower. For example, in 2022, the recycling capacity for plastic water and soft drink bottles was estimated to be around 21%, while the rate for milk jugs and juice bottles was 10%, grocery bags and shrink wrap less than 5%, ice-cream tubs and coffee pods less than 2%, and plastic cutlery, coffee lids, and DVD cases less than 1%.

The low recycling rates for plastics are due to economic and technical challenges, as well as the lobbying power of the plastics industry, which has advocated for the expansion of recycling programmes even when research showed that most plastic could not be economically recycled. The mixing of polymer types also generates secondary plastics of limited technical and economic value.

Plastic types and recyclability

Plastic is generally categorised into seven types, each with a different use and recyclability. The seven types of plastic are numbered and marked with a symbol on the plastic product. The number within the symbol, known as an SPI or resin code, indicates the type of resin used to produce the plastic and provides information about the safety and biodegradability of each plastic type. The lower the resin code, the more likely the plastic type is to be easily recyclable.

The seven types of plastic are:

• PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate): PET is commonly used for beverage bottles, perishable food containers, and mouthwash. It can be recycled but should not be reused as it increases the risk of leaching and bacterial growth.
• HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): HDPE is commonly used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent containers, and oil bottles. It is one of the newest types of plastic and is deemed safe for food contact. It is also one of the most commonly recycled plastics and can be reused safely.
• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): PVC is a common plastic that starts out rigid but becomes flexible when plasticizers are added. It is used for household products like plastic tubing, kids' toys, and furniture. It is rarely recycled and contains harmful chemicals.
• LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): LDPE has a simple structure, making it easy to produce and is primarily used for bags, plastic wrap, and frozen food containers. It can technically be recycled, but it is not always financially worthwhile, and it can be dangerous as it can tangle in recycling machinery.
• PP (Polypropylene): PP is one of the most popular plastic packaging materials worldwide, but only around 1-3% is recycled in the US. It is difficult and expensive to recycle, and it is hard to get rid of the smell of the product it contained.
• PS (Polystyrene): PS is commonly used for disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, and food containers. It can sometimes be recycled, but it is notorious for leaching harmful chemicals, especially when heated.
• Plastic Number 7: This category includes all plastics not part of the other six types, often made of multiple plastic types that are hard to recycle. Plastic Number 7 is extremely challenging to recycle and is almost always excluded from recycling programs.

While almost all plastic can be recycled in principle, various barriers exist in practice, such as economic, environmental, and technical considerations. For example, some plastics are not widely recyclable, like bioplastics, composite plastic, and plastic-coated wrapping paper. Additionally, some plastics are hard to separate and clean, like food contamination, which can make resins unsuitable for reuse.

Plastic alternatives

Plastic is used everywhere because it is cheap, quick and easy to form into nearly any shape, and lightweight. However, it is a major contributor to climate change, with a significant impact on our oceans, waterways, and landscapes. The good news is that there are countless solutions to stop plastic pollution.

One of the most effective ways to reduce plastic waste is to use reusable and refillable packaging or buy unpackaged products. This can be as simple as switching to reusable bags for grocery shopping or opting for products in glass or metal containers. Many companies, including Starbucks, QDoba, and Dunkin, will allow you to bring your own reusable cup or bottle for your drink.

There are also biodegradable alternatives to plastic, such as algae-based packaging, which has similar properties to plastic but without the negative environmental impact. Companies like B'zeos and Notpla have developed edible drinking straws, condiment packets, cutlery, and plastic wrap from seaweed, which completely biodegrade in less than 47 days. Another biodegradable option is PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), produced by microorganisms through bacterial fermentation, which can be composted at home.

Silicone is another alternative often mistaken for plastic. It shares many physical characteristics with plastic but is considered safer and more environmentally friendly. Silicone is made from naturally occurring silica stone, water, and natural gas-derived methanol. It is strong, flexible, and does not leach toxic residues or microplastics.

Other innovative solutions include natural fibres such as coconut fibre, hemp, husk, and cotton burs for packaging and shipping materials, as well as a spray-on protective coating made from plant cellulose for produce and other food items.

While there is no single magic solution to replace plastic, a combination of these alternatives, along with a shift in consumer habits and behaviour, can significantly reduce our reliance on single-use plastic.

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