Omar Khalid
Plastic is one of the most popular and useful materials of modern times, with 300 million tonnes of plastic being produced annually. Plastic recycling is the process of turning plastic waste into other products. Recycling can reduce dependence on landfills, conserve resources, and protect the environment from plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. While almost all plastic can be recycled in principle, in practice, there are a variety of different economic, technical, and environmental barriers that can undermine this process. Recycled plastics can be used in a variety of applications, from packaging to clothes, cars, and phones.
Characteristics and Values of Recycled Plastic
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The processing of plastic waste into other products |
| Benefits | Reduces dependence on landfills, conserves resources, protects the environment from plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, reduces the need for petroleum or bio-based feedstocks, and lowers energy consumption compared to creating new plastics |
| Challenges | Sorting and separating plastics can be complicated and expensive, contamination by food or other substances can make resins unusable, small quantities of plastics may not be economical to recycle, some plastics are difficult to recycle (e.g., thin bags, crisp packets, salad bags, plastic wrap), recycling facilities are costly to build and operate |
| Applications | Packaging, clothing, cars, phones, industrial applications (e.g., plastic lumber, auto parts), food and beverage containers (with safety concerns addressed by the US FDA) |
| Improvements | Technological advancements, retailer acceptance of varied colours, businesses improving recyclability of packaging, expansion of recycling programs, development of diverse markets for recycled materials |
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What You'll Learn
Environmental and social benefits
Recycling plastic offers several environmental and social benefits.
Environmental Benefits
Recycling plastic reduces dependence on landfills and protects the environment from plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling plastic also helps conserve natural resources and energy. Plastic manufacturing uses a lot of energy, water, and resources such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum. Recycling plastic reduces the strain on these fossil fuels and helps save these natural resources, which in turn helps decrease carbon dioxide levels. Recycling plastic also saves landfill space. As plastic is a non-biodegradable material, it takes a long time to break down completely. Recycling plastic raw materials and turning them into useful products help save the space taken up in landfills and prevent pollution and litter.
Recycling plastic can also help transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Diminished reliance on fossil fuels means 16.3 barrels of oil are saved every time 1 ton of plastic is recycled. Recycling one ton of plastic saves 5,774 kWh of energy.
Social Benefits
Recycling plastic can improve the lives of some of the most marginalized communities. In developing countries, waste management infrastructure can be rare or non-existent, and the poorest in society turn to waste picking to make a living. They spend their days searching for plastics that can be sold to middlemen for recycling. However, they are often unprotected while dealing with hazardous materials, putting their health and lives at risk for very little return. Organizations such as Plastics for Change support waste pickers by offering them fairer returns for their collected plastics.
Additionally, consumers are increasingly seeking recycled content in plastic bottles, and some are willing to pay a premium for products containing recycled plastic. This can create marketing and PR opportunities for companies that use recycled plastic.
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Plastic recycling methods
Plastic recycling is a complex process that involves several steps and organisations working together. The recycling process can be broadly divided into three steps: collecting and separating recyclable materials from waste, processing the residue into raw material, and using the raw material to create new products.
The first step in the plastic recycling process is the collection of plastic waste. This can be done through curbside recycling bins, public recycling bins, or community recycling centres. Once collected, the plastic waste is taken to a material recovery facility (MRF) where it is sorted into categories such as aluminium, paper, and different types of plastic. The sorting process can be done manually or automatically, and it is important to remove all contaminants to ensure the safety of workers and integrity of machinery.
The next step is the actual recycling process, which can vary depending on the type of plastic and the desired outcome. One common method is mechanical recycling, which is the traditional method that has been used for decades and is responsible for the majority of plastic recycling worldwide. Mechanical recycling uses grinding, washing, sorting, and reprocessing to repurpose plastic material without significantly altering its chemical structure. The plastic is shredded into smaller pieces or flakes, washed to remove contaminants, sorted by thickness, colour, size, and type, and then reprocessed into pellets that can be sold to manufacturers.
Another method is chemical recycling, which involves changing the chemical structure of plastic to create a raw material that can be used to manufacture new products. This process can be done through pyrolysis, gasification, or depolymerisation, which break down the long hydrocarbon chains of plastics into shorter fractions or monomers that can be used as feedstock for new chemical reactions. Chemical recycling can handle plastics that may not be suitable for mechanical recycling and can produce high-quality raw material.
Additionally, there are other specific methods for recycling certain types of plastic. For example, PVC, a common and versatile plastic type, requires special methods for recycling due to its toxicity when processed. Some supermarkets and retailers are also collecting plastic bags, wrappings, and soft plastics for recycling, such as plastic pouches, packets, delivery bags, and carrier bags.
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Plastic waste management
Reduction of Plastic Waste Generation
The first step in plastic waste management is to reduce the generation of plastic waste in the first place. This can be achieved through various means, such as encouraging the use of reusable alternatives, promoting recycling, and supporting the development of biodegradable plastics. Reducing plastic waste generation is essential to mitigating the environmental impact of plastic pollution.
Recycling and Reuse
Recycling plastic waste is a crucial aspect of plastic waste management. It involves the processing of plastic waste into new products, reducing the need for landfill disposal and conserving resources. However, it is important to note that not all plastics are recyclable, and the recycling process can be challenging due to the need for sorting and the potential for contamination. Mechanical recycling, which involves melting and reforming plastic, is the most common method, but it can cause polymer degradation. Feedstock recycling, which converts plastic waste into its starting chemicals, is another option but comes with higher energy and capital costs.
Proper Collection and Disposal
Proper collection and disposal of plastic waste are essential to prevent environmental contamination. This includes providing access to controlled disposal services and regular waste collection for all communities. Without proper collection and disposal systems, plastic can contaminate air, soil, and water, causing harm to ecosystems and human health.
International Cooperation and Guidelines
International cooperation is vital in addressing plastic waste management on a global scale. The Basel Convention, for example, provides guidance on the environmentally sound management of plastic waste and regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes. Additionally, organizations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued guidelines and approved processes to ensure the safety of recycled plastics, particularly for food contact applications.
Sustainable Management of Plastics
Sustainable management of plastics involves using and reusing plastic material throughout its lifecycle in an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable manner. This includes encouraging the use of recycled plastics, reducing the dependence on virgin plastics, and supporting the development of a robust and reliable market for recycled materials.
In conclusion, plastic waste management requires a multifaceted approach that includes waste reduction, recycling, proper collection and disposal, international cooperation, and the promotion of sustainable practices. By effectively managing plastic waste, we can protect the environment, conserve resources, and minimize the negative impacts of plastic pollution.
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Plastic packaging
Plastic is one of the most popular and useful materials of modern times, with around 430 million tons of plastic produced yearly. It is versatile, cheap to make, and profitable. However, it is also a significant source of pollution, with plastic waste ending up in our oceans, snow, rainfall, air, and even our bodies. Plastic can take up to 1000 years to biodegrade, so recycling is essential to reduce its environmental impact.
While almost all plastic can be recycled in principle, various barriers exist in practice. These include economic and technical challenges, such as the high cost of building and operating recycling facilities, the difficulty of separating and cleaning contaminated plastics, and the incompatibility of certain plastic types with recycling machines. Additionally, some plastic types, like bioplastics, composite plastic, and plastic-coated wrapping paper, are not recyclable.
Despite these challenges, progress is being made in recycling plastic packaging. Some retailers are accepting more varied colours of recycled plastic for packaging, allowing more plastic to be recycled and reused. For example, some supermarkets now use trays ranging from pink to purple for microwave meals. This flexibility in colour acceptance means more plastic can be recycled and reused, reducing waste.
Major companies are also transitioning to recycled plastic packaging. For instance, Mondelez moved its Cadbury Dairy Milk sharing bars to recycled plastic packaging, with packs containing up to 30% recycled plastic. Hellmann's switched its 'squeezy' range in the UK to bottles made from 100% recycled plastic, saving approximately 1,480 tonnes of virgin plastic annually. PepsiCo has also made a similar switch for its Pepsi Maxx and 7UP bottles, aiming for 100% recycled plastic for all its ready-to-drink bottles in the UK. These efforts by businesses to improve the recyclability of their packaging contribute to a more sustainable future.
However, it is important to note that recycling plastic packaging is not the only solution. Reducing plastic waste, especially single-use plastics, is crucial. Additionally, some recycled plastics are used in manufacturing clothes, cars, and phones, which is positive as it replaces the need for new virgin plastic. Nevertheless, it means less recycled plastic is available to create new packaging. Overall, a combination of recycling, reducing waste, and finding alternative uses for recycled plastic can help mitigate the environmental impact of plastic packaging.
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Recycling challenges
Recycling plastic is the process of converting plastic waste into other products. It is an important strategy for end-of-life waste management of plastic products, reducing the need for landfills and protecting the environment from plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. However, despite its benefits, plastic recycling faces several challenges.
One major challenge is the complexity of plastic as a material. Plastic is a collective name for several hundred different kinds of materials, each with unique properties such as colour, shape, structure, and melting point. These differences make it challenging to recycle mixed plastics waste, as most plastic types are not compatible with each other due to inherent immiscibility at the molecular level. Sorting plastic waste by colour and polymer type is often complicated and expensive, and errors can lead to material with inconsistent properties, making it less appealing to the industry.
Another challenge arises from the manufacturing processes that combine different types of plastics or bond them with other materials such as glue and metal. This makes it difficult to separate the plastic content for recycling, requiring specific expertise and knowledge of materials. Additionally, the variety of materials used in flexible packaging can make it impossible to sort or separate, limiting its recyclability.
The economic and social behaviour issues related to the collection of recyclable wastes also pose challenges. Recycling plastic can be expensive, and in some cases, the cost of recycling may outweigh the benefits. Virgin raw materials may sometimes be cheaper, and the market for recyclables can be variable and unpredictable compared to other waste management methods. Furthermore, consumer behaviour plays a role, as people may not always have access to or knowledge of proper recycling methods, leading to recyclable plastics ending up in landfills.
Lastly, the lack of collaboration within the plastic industry itself creates challenges for recycling. Unlike other industries such as steel, the plastic industry often lacks collaboration between raw material suppliers, subcontractors, and manufacturers, hindering the development of new solutions for plastic recycling.
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Frequently asked questions
Recycled plastic is the processing of plastic waste into other products. Recycling can reduce dependence on landfills, conserve resources and protect the environment from plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Using recycled plastics in place of virgin plastics offers several environmental and social benefits. Recycled plastics eliminate the need to extract petroleum to create new plastics, and the energy required to process recycled plastics is often lower than the energy required to make new plastics.
Recycled plastic is used to manufacture new packaging, as well as a range of other products from clothes to cars to phones. Some specific examples include:
- PepsiCo switching Pepsi Maxx and 7UP to 100% recycled content plastic bottles
- Hellman’s transitioning its ‘squeezy’ range in the UK to bottles made from 100% recycled plastic
- Mondelez moving its Cadbury Dairy Milk sharing bars into recycled plastic packaging, with packs containing up to 30% recycled plastic
