Ethan Clarke
Plastic recycling is critical to improving the environment and waste management. However, despite the public's best efforts, only a small percentage of plastic is actually recycled. This is due to a variety of factors, including the economics of plastic production, the lack of infrastructure, and the material properties of plastics. Even when plastic is recycled, manufacturers often mix in freshly made plastic or toxic additives to restore its desirable properties, making the product more toxic and less valuable. The solution to the plastic pollution crisis may lie in addressing the root cause: the immense profits and low costs associated with producing plastic, as well as developing more recyclable products and sustainable alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastic recycled | Less than 10% according to some sources, while others state it to be 91% |
| Plastic production | Expected to triple by 2050 |
| Plastic pollution crisis | Caused by the profitability and cheap production of plastic |
| Plastic recycling | Requires huge amounts of infrastructure, equipment, water, and energy |
| Plastic waste | Can be repurposed or reused, for example, plastic bags can be reused multiple times before disposal |
| Plastic resin codes | Numbers ranging from 1 to 7, with 7 being 'other', indicate the type of plastic a product is |
| Plastic types that are hard to recycle | Crisp packets, salad bags, plastic wrap, and thermoset plastics |
| Plastic types that are easier to recycle | Thermoplastics, which can be remelted and remolded |
| Recycling programs | In Maine and Oregon, up to 80% of PET bottles are recycled |
| Enzymes for recycling | A microbe called Ideonella sakaiensis, discovered in Japan in 2016, produces enzymes that can break down PET |
| Eco-friendly waste management | Local drop-off spots for recycling help reduce landfill waste |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic production is expected to triple by 2050
Despite the well-known environmental impact of plastic, plastic production is expected to triple by 2050. This is due to the fact that plastic is cheap and profitable, and that the infrastructure for recycling plastic at scale does not exist.
The plastic industry has historically misled the public about the recyclability of plastic. In reality, less than 10% of plastic has ever been recycled. While some states in the US have invested in recycling programs, the national average for PET bottle recycling is 30%, despite the fact that 100% of PET bottles could be recycled.
The root of the problem is that making new plastic is cheaper and easier than making it out of recycled plastic. This is because the polymer producers do not pay for the harm caused by plastic. To address plastic pollution, those who produce plastics need to pay for the damage it causes, and the world will have to make less of it.
There are several approaches to tackling the challenges of reducing the plastic footprint, such as the production of alternative materials, the use of biodegradable plastic, and the development of recycling approaches. For example, a microbe discovered in Japan in 2016, called Ideonella sakaiensis, produces enzymes that can break down PET. However, to truly solve the plastic pollution crisis, society must address the root problem: the profitability and cheapness of plastic.
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The economics of recycling
One of the primary economic challenges of recycling plastic is the cost. Recycled plastic generally costs more to refine and purchase than new plastic. The production of new plastic is cheaper and easier than recycling plastic trash because it is a petroleum product. When oil prices are low, the demand for recycled plastic decreases as manufacturers can produce new plastic at a lower cost. This dynamic was evident after the Covid-19 pandemic when the increased use of disposable goods drove down oil prices, making it less economically viable to recycle plastic.
Another economic challenge is the immature supply chain and unstable supply of recycled plastic. The recycling sector often faces issues with collecting and sorting plastic waste, which can be costly. Additionally, the infrastructure and technology for recycling plastic on a large scale may not always be readily available, hindering the efficiency of the process.
Despite these challenges, there are economic incentives to reduce plastic waste. Recycling creates jobs and drives economic growth. For example, in South Carolina, the recycling industry has a $13 billion economic impact and provides over 54,000 jobs. The shift towards biodegradable plastics, such as bioplastics, is also gaining momentum due to its environmental benefits and economic viability.
To address the economic challenges of recycling plastic, regulatory policies can play a crucial role in incentivizing and supporting recycling initiatives. Additionally, developing better and more recyclable products, as well as increasing circularity by reusing and repurposing plastic products, can help improve the economics of recycling.
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The environmental impact of recycling
Recycling is critical to improving the environment and bettering waste management solutions. It is a practical yet easy change to help curb greenhouse gas emissions and limit the climate crisis. Recycling helps combat the climate crisis by limiting the use of raw materials and reducing waste going into landfills. Recycling also conserves natural resources, strengthens the economy, and creates jobs.
Recycling has been an important component of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decades-long efforts to implement the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and its more recent efforts to pursue a Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) approach, which aims to reduce the environmental impacts of materials across their lifecycle. The EPA promotes the waste management hierarchy, which ranks various waste management strategies from most to least environmentally preferred. The hierarchy prioritizes source reduction and the reuse of waste materials over recycling.
Recycling aluminum is incredibly energy efficient. Using aluminum scraps to make aluminum cans saves 95% of the energy used to create an aluminum can from raw materials. The less energy used to produce a good, the fewer greenhouse gases are emitted in the process. This benefits climate change, as greenhouse gas emissions drive the current climate crisis.
However, it is important to note that the recycling process is not perfect and can have some negative impacts on the environment. For example, the waste management process, including transportation and incineration, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. In some cases, the infrastructure for effective recycling may not be in place, hindering progress. Additionally, some plastics are incredibly hard to recycle and are not always recycled even when the infrastructure is in place.
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The accessibility of recycling centers
However, it is important to acknowledge that accessibility goes beyond physical proximity. In the context of recycling centers, accessibility also refers to the inclusivity of the facilities and their ability to cater to individuals with disabilities. For example, visually impaired individuals may face challenges when disposing of waste, especially when separate bins are provided for normal trash and recyclables. Braille signs on bins may not always be a feasible option, as people may be reluctant to touch the surface of a bin, especially during a pandemic.
To address this issue, innovative solutions such as WasteFinder have been developed. WasteFinder is a system that utilizes vinyl flooring with unique shapes and raised symbols installed around bins. Visually impaired individuals can use their feet or a cane to feel the shapes and symbols, helping them navigate to the correct bin and independently dispose of their waste correctly. This not only creates a more inclusive environment but also helps reduce waste contamination, benefiting both the facility and the environment.
Furthermore, accessibility also pertains to the types of materials that recycling centers can process. While some centers may specialize in recycling specific materials, such as plastic, metal, or food waste, others may offer a more comprehensive range of services. For instance, SL Recycling claims to have the capabilities to recycle a full range of waste, from everyday household materials to commercial and industrial waste. They also emphasize diverting waste from landfills, which aligns with the goal of many organizations to achieve zero waste to landfill.
Overall, the accessibility of recycling centers encompasses both physical proximity and inclusivity in design and services offered. By improving the accessibility of recycling centers and adopting innovative solutions, we can encourage more individuals to recycle, fostering a more sustainable future.
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The future of plastic recycling
Despite the many issues associated with plastic, it remains a highly profitable and cheap material, largely due to the fact that polymer producers do not pay for the harm their product causes. This has resulted in a fragmented market that makes it difficult for people selling recycled plastic to find buyers. Recycling facilities are spread out unevenly, meaning that in some areas, recyclable plastics cannot be recycled due to a lack of appropriate machinery.
However, there is hope for the future of plastic recycling. Firstly, there is a growing awareness of the need for new and alternative approaches to limit wasteful habits. For example, India has emerged as a leader in sustainable approaches to plastic waste management, thanks to its extensive infrastructure and tradition of recycling. Additionally, there have been developments in recycling methods, with more plastic types being collected and recycled over time. This includes the discovery of a microbe called Ideonella sakaiensis, which can break down PET plastic and could be used to create a truly circular recycling process.
Another promising solution is the concept of circularity, which involves reusing or recycling plastics or employing alternatives that can be reused or recycled. Ghana and several other countries are working to establish a country-level circular economy for plastic, which includes banning single-use plastics and implementing robust collection, reuse, and recycling efforts.
To further improve the future of plastic recycling, it is essential to address the root causes of the problem. This includes holding plastic producers accountable for the damage their products cause and reducing the production of plastic by developing more recyclable products, finding sustainable alternatives, and increasing circularity. By implementing these changes, we can create a more sustainable future and reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, new plastic is often added to recycling. Manufacturers mix in a large portion of freshly made plastic or toxic additives to restore some of its desirable properties. This is because the quality of plastic diminishes with each recycling attempt, and it becomes more toxic.
Recycling is expensive, and it requires a lot of infrastructure, equipment, water, and energy. The production of new plastic is cheaper and easier than recycling.
Alternatives to adding new plastic to recycling include reusing or recycling plastics or employing alternatives that can be reused or recycled as well.
There are several challenges to recycling plastic. Firstly, not all plastics can be recycled due to their material properties. Additionally, the recycling infrastructure is spread out unevenly, making it difficult to efficiently select and recycle certain plastics.
