Recycling Plastic: The Cost Of A Green Future

Plastic recycling rates are low, with only 8.7% of plastic recycled in 2018 in the US. However, the recycling rates for specific types of plastic containers are more significant, with PET bottles and jars at 29.1% and HDPE natural bottles at 29.3%. The cost of recycling plastic is high, and the process is often not economically justifiable, especially when compared to the low cost of using oil to make new plastic. Despite this, the price of recycled plastic is rising, and some companies and organizations are taking steps to improve plastic recycling, such as the Ball Corporation, which is building a can plant in Oregon.

Plastic scrap prices in the USA and Canada

For example, as of February 2021, the national average price of post-consumer polypropylene was 18.44 cents per pound, a significant increase from 11.69 cents in January and 3.69 cents in July 2020. Similarly, Grade A film traded at 11.13 cents per pound, up from 10.84 cents in the previous month. Grade B film saw a price increase to 4.38 cents, while Grade C film remained unchanged at 0.81 cents per pound.

The platform also provides price distinctions between different categories, such as "Average Price," "High Price," and "Low Price." The "Average Price" represents the standard plastic scrap price across all listed US cities, while the "High Price" and "Low Price" indicate the highest and lowest averages, respectively.

ScrapMonster's data is widely recognized, appearing on prominent platforms like Bloomberg and DowJones. It offers comprehensive information, including price charts, city-wise data, and historical price movements, making it a valuable resource for those seeking up-to-date scrap plastic prices in the USA and Canada.

Plastic recycling rates in the US

The low recycling rates for plastics are in contrast to materials like paper, which had a recycling rate of 66% in 2020. This disparity highlights the challenges in recycling plastic waste and the need for improved recycling infrastructure and policies.

The US Plastics Pact, an industry initiative, has set ambitious targets to improve plastic recycling rates. These include a goal to make 100% of plastic packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025. Additionally, they aim to recycle or compost 50% of plastic packaging and achieve 30% recycled content in plastic packaging by the same year.

To achieve these goals, the US Plastics Pact and its member organizations ("Activators") are focusing on several strategies. These include shifting away from non-recyclable plastic packaging, increasing the use of post-consumer recycled content, improving recycling technologies, and enhancing communication to educate Americans about recycling plastic packaging effectively.

Despite these efforts, the recycling rates for some plastics have continued to decline. For instance, the price of recycled polypropylene experienced a major jump recently, and there have been announcements of facility closures and layoffs in the recycled paper, glass, and plastic processing industries.

Plastic pollution prevention strategies

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to the environment, marine life, and human health. The pervasive nature of plastic pollution in our ecosystems and the toxic chemicals released from plastic debris highlight the urgency of addressing this issue. Here are some strategies aimed at preventing plastic pollution and mitigating its harmful impacts:

Reduce Plastic Use

The first step towards tackling plastic pollution is reducing plastic consumption. Individuals can make conscious choices to minimize their use of single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, straws, bottles, and disposable containers. Instead, opt for reusable alternatives, like cloth bags, metal or glass water bottles, and containers that can be washed and reused.

Improve Waste Management

Proper waste management is crucial in preventing plastic pollution. This involves responsible disposal and recycling of plastic waste. Individuals can practice proper waste segregation, ensuring that plastics are placed in designated recycling bins. Governments and waste management companies should also invest in improving recycling infrastructure and processes to increase the recycling rate of plastics.

Innovate Material and Product Design

Businesses and manufacturers have a significant role to play in plastic pollution prevention. They can develop innovative designs and materials that are more environmentally friendly and recyclable. By creating products with longer lifespans and promoting repair and refurbishment, businesses can reduce the demand for new plastic products, thus decreasing plastic waste generation.

Educate and Raise Awareness

Educating the public about the impacts of plastic pollution and promoting sustainable alternatives is essential. Governments, organizations, and educational institutions can collaborate to raise awareness through campaigns, social media, and educational programs. By informing people about the consequences of plastic pollution and providing solutions, individuals will be empowered to make more sustainable choices.

Reduce Pollution from Plastic Production

To prevent plastic pollution at its source, stricter regulations should be implemented on plastic production processes. This includes holding manufacturers accountable for the environmental impact of their production methods and encouraging the development of cleaner and more sustainable production techniques.

Minimize Plastic Release into Waterways and Oceans

As a significant portion of plastic pollution originates on land, efforts should be made to minimize the release of plastic waste into waterways and oceans. This involves proper waste management, improving sewer systems, and organizing coastal cleanup initiatives. By preventing plastic waste from entering these environments, we can protect marine life and maintain the health of our oceans and waterways.

Plastic recycling challenges and misconceptions

Plastic recycling is a complex process that requires collaboration between manufacturers, suppliers, and other stakeholders in the product chain. While it is a dynamic area in the plastics industry, it faces several challenges and misconceptions.

Challenges

One of the main challenges in plastic recycling is the variety of plastic types and their unique properties. Plastic is a collective term for several hundred different kinds of materials, each with distinct characteristics affecting colour, shape, structure, and melting point. This complexity makes it challenging to recycle mixed plastics waste, as different types of plastic are often incompatible due to inherent immiscibility at the molecular level. Sorting and separating plastics is essential to maintain purity, but it is a costly and time-consuming process. Additionally, the lack of standardisation in product design makes it difficult to separate and recycle plastic content from other materials, such as glue and metal.

Another challenge is the economic viability of plastic recycling. Virgin raw materials are sometimes cheaper, and the process of collecting, sorting, and melting plastic is expensive. New plastic is inexpensive, and recycling plastic often requires specialised knowledge and technology, which not all communities have access to. Furthermore, there is often no reasonable market for recycled plastic, and additional costs are incurred to clean and process it to meet market specifications.

Misconceptions

A common misconception is that all plastics placed in curbside recycling bins are recycled. However, many plastics are unrecyclable, and even the recyclable ones may not be reprocessed into new packaging but instead into secondary products that are themselves non-recyclable. The chasing arrows symbol on plastic containers does not indicate recyclability; it was adopted by the plastics industry as a catchy graphic, and the number inside indicates the class of resin used.

Another misconception is that packaging resins are made from petroleum refinery waste. In reality, they are made from non-renewable natural resources, specifically the natural gas used in homes, which could be conserved or used for other purposes. The idea that resins are made from waste gives the false impression that plastic production prevents hazardous waste from being dumped into the environment.

The oil and gas industry has also been accused of misleading the public about the recyclability of plastics to increase sales. Despite knowing that recycling plastic would not work on a large scale, they spent millions promoting recycling to alleviate environmental concerns and sell more plastic.

Plastic recycling labelling initiatives

Clear and Understandable Labels:

It is crucial that plastic products have clear and easily understandable labels that indicate the type of plastic and its recyclability. This helps consumers save time and effort when sorting and recycling their waste. The recycling code system, with numbers ranging from 1 to 7, is commonly used to identify different types of plastics, such as PET (code 1) and HDPE (code 2), and provides information about their recyclability.

Standardization of Labels:

Standardizing labels across the industry is vital to minimizing confusion. By following consistent practices, companies can ensure that consumers can easily interpret the information on plastic labels. This standardization includes using universal symbols, colours, or markings that indicate the type of plastic and its appropriate disposal method.

Banning Harmful Single-Use Plastics:

Developing Federal Plastics Registries:

Creating open and accessible federal plastics registries is another crucial aspect. These registries require producers to report on the plastics they use in their products, providing transparency and accountability. This information helps governments and organizations track plastic usage, set recovery targets, and develop effective recycling programmes.

Certifying Recycled Content:

Overall, plastic recycling labelling initiatives play a pivotal role in empowering consumers to make environmentally conscious choices and ensuring that plastic products are disposed of and recycled properly. These initiatives are a critical step towards reducing plastic waste and fostering a more sustainable future.

Frequently asked questions