Recycled Plastic: Manufacturing Companies' Preferred Choice?

Plastic recycling is a complex issue, with many challenges and opportunities. Despite public demand for increased recycling, the reality is that the majority of plastic is still not recycled and ends up in landfills. This is due to a variety of factors, including the economics of plastic production, the lack of infrastructure for recycling, and the misinformation campaigns perpetrated by the oil and plastic industries. However, recycling remains an important tool for reducing environmental harm and transitioning to a circular economy, and there are ongoing initiatives to improve recycling rates and reduce plastic waste.

Plastic manufacturing companies' impact on the environment

Plastic manufacturing companies have a significant impact on the environment. The production and disposal of plastic contribute to pollution, habitat destruction, and greenhouse gas emissions. As plastic is made from fossil fuels, the manufacturing process involves extracting and processing petroleum, a non-renewable resource that contributes to climate change through the release of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. Additionally, the production of plastic requires large amounts of energy, and the plastic waste generated is often sent to landfills, where it can take hundreds of years to degrade, harming wildlife and ecosystems.

The disposal of plastic waste is a critical environmental issue, as plastic accounts for a large percentage of marine litter and contributes to the degradation of natural habitats. Furthermore, the recycling rate of plastic is relatively low, and most reports indicate that recycling rates have plateaued or decreased despite increasing plastic production. This means that a large amount of plastic waste ends up in landfills or the oceans. While recycling is an essential strategy for reducing environmental impact, it is challenging due to the thousands of different types of plastic, and the process is often expensive and complex.

The manufacturing process itself also poses risks to workers and local communities. The production of plastic can result in serious accidents, including explosions, chemical fires, spills, and toxic vapors, which have caused deaths, injuries, evacuations, and property damage. Additionally, chemical additives in plastic products can have negative environmental and human health effects, as they can migrate from the packaging polymer into the foods they contain.

However, there is a growing demand for more sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing practices in the plastic industry. Companies can adopt sustainable practices to minimize their negative impact on the environment. This includes prioritizing energy efficiency by investing in energy-efficient equipment and renewable energy sources, reducing waste through recycling and repurposing, and using sustainable materials such as bio-based plastics made from renewable sources like corn starch, sugarcane, or algae. Implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices, such as sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, and supporting community development, can also help mitigate the environmental impact of plastic manufacturing companies.

Consumers play a crucial role in supporting companies with sustainable practices by choosing products from eco-friendly and recycled materials. By educating themselves and others about the plastic crisis and the importance of reducing plastic usage, consumers can further contribute to a more sustainable future.

Plastic recycling rates

In the US, the recycling rate for plastic was 8.7% in 2018, falling to 5-6% in 2021. This means that 3 million tons of plastic were recycled in 2018, and 2-2.4 million tons in 2021. However, the US's plastic recycling rate reached a peak of 9.5% in 2014. The rate varies by type of plastic, with PET bottles and jars at 29.1% in 2018, and HDPE natural bottles at 29.3% in the same year.

The US's plastic recycling rate has decreased in recent years, despite plastic production continuing to increase. This is due to a variety of factors, including the fact that the US does not have the infrastructure to recycle all of its own plastic, with many recycling facilities lacking the technology to recycle certain types of plastic. For example, plastic bags cannot be accepted by single-stream recycling programs, and plastic film is also difficult to recycle.

In addition, the recycling process itself is not 100% efficient, with 30-36% of PET bottles wasted during recycling. Furthermore, contamination of recyclable materials with non-recyclable materials, or with residue, can render a batch unrecyclable. The average contamination rate across all materials at US recycling programs was 16.9% in 2019, but this varies by community and is particularly high for plastics.

Some countries and companies also engage in 'greenwashing', exporting their waste to other countries and counting it as 'recycled', without ensuring that it is actually repurposed.

Despite these issues, recycling is still seen as an important tool in reducing the environmental impact of plastic, and it is hoped that businesses, consumers, and policymakers can work together to improve recycling rates and reduce plastic pollution.

Plastic waste exports

While it is challenging to keep track of global recycling efforts, some countries consider waste "recycled" once it is exported to another country without necessarily ensuring it is repurposed. This practice has led to social and environmental harm, with plastic waste being shipped to countries with poor waste management systems.

The Basel Convention Plastic Waste Amendments, which came into force on January 1, 2021, restrict exports of plastic waste. Despite this, the top three exporters of plastic waste globally are Vietnam, Mexico, and the United States. India is also a significant exporter of plastic waste, with 2,872 shipments of plastic waste from March 2023 to February 2024, going to over 103 countries worldwide.

To address the issue of plastic waste exports, some organizations have called on waste and recycling companies to stop exporting plastic waste and respect international laws and amendments, such as the Basel Plastic Waste Amendments. For example, in 2019, 54 U.S. waste and recycling companies were contacted with a request to stop exporting plastic waste, and six of these companies committed to doing so.

To facilitate the process of exporting waste plastic, some countries have implemented regulations and guidelines. For instance, Australia has a Waste Plastic Exports List, which outlines the specific kinds of regulated waste plastic that can be exported under certain circumstances. Exporters must ensure their waste plastic exports comply with the list and any relevant laws.

Plastic production

The recycling of plastic is an important tool in reducing the environmental impact of plastic production. However, the rate of plastic recycling has been low and has even decreased in recent years. In 2018, the recycling rate of plastic in the United States was 8.7%, but this fell to between 5% and 6% in 2021. This means that of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in the United States in 2021, only about 2 million tons were recycled. The majority of plastic waste, around 85%, ended up in landfills, and 10% was incinerated.

The low recycling rates are due in part to a “decades-long misinformation campaign to perpetuate the myth that plastic is recyclable". The three-arrow recycling symbol is often misleading, as most municipalities only recycle certain types of plastics. Consumers are confused by this symbol and put all plastic packaging in their recycling bins, even if it is not recyclable. When recyclable plastics are contaminated with non-recyclable plastics, the entire load is usually sent to landfills or incinerated.

Another challenge to effective plastic recycling is the variety of plastics. There are now thousands of different types of plastic, and they cannot be melted down together. This makes it expensive and difficult to collect and sort plastic waste for recycling.

Some companies and organizations are working to improve plastic recycling rates and develop new technologies to make it easier to recycle plastic. For example, WM is working on programs to make it easier to recycle plastic bags and film, and CleanHub is implementing recycling initiatives that unlock jobs, support local economies, and empower communities to reduce environmental harm. However, it is clear that more needs to be done to address the plastic waste crisis, including reducing the amount of single-use plastic produced and improving recycling infrastructure.

Plastic recycling initiatives

CleanHub's Recycling Initiatives

CleanHub, an organization dedicated to tackling plastic waste, emphasizes the importance of recycling in unlocking jobs, supporting local economies, and empowering communities to reduce their environmental footprint. They advocate for a circular economy, where recycling plays a pivotal role in minimizing the extraction of new materials and promoting sustainable practices. CleanHub's initiatives also extend beyond recycling, as they support brands in making a tangible difference in the world of plastic pollution.

Zero Plastic Waste Initiative

Canada's Zero Plastic Waste Initiative aims to bring about change across the entire plastics lifecycle. This initiative supports innovative projects that increase waste collection, enhance value recovery, and actively prevent and remove plastic pollution in Canada. By providing funding of up to $250,000, this initiative encourages domestic and international not-for-profit organizations to develop projects that align with Canada's commitments under the Ocean Plastics Charter and the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste.

The Association of Plastic Recyclers

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) is an international trade association that represents the plastics recycling industry. APR enables growth and innovation, promotes smart product design and policy, and works to eliminate barriers to successful recycling. They also have a "Buy Recycled" initiative, which encourages people to buy recycled products and connect with the circular economy.

America's Plastic Makers

America's Plastic Makers provides a wealth of information on the evolving story of plastic. Their website offers insights into recycling technologies, sustainability solutions, and emerging policies. They cover a range of topics, including sustainability, recycling, investment, and safety, empowering individuals and organizations with the knowledge to make informed decisions.

Despite these initiatives, it is important to acknowledge that the plastic recycling landscape is complex. Reports from Greenpeace reveal that most plastic still ends up in landfills, and the recycling rates for many types of plastic fall short of the standards set by organizations like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Plastic Economy Initiative. Additionally, the oil and gas industry's plans for a 100% recycling rate by 2040 seem ambitious, especially considering the challenges of collecting and sorting plastic waste.

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