Alexei Volkov
Plastic and paper are two of the most commonly recycled materials. However, the processes and challenges of recycling them differ. Plastic is a stubborn substance that resists decomposition, with a presumed lifespan of over 500 years. Plastic recycling involves feeding plastic into a chamber, where it is separated at extremely high temperatures into gas and oil, which can be used as fuel or feedstock for new plastic. However, the recycling process is complex, and the market for recycled plastic is vulnerable to fluctuations. On the other hand, paper recycling involves mixing used paper with water and chemicals to break it down, then chopping and heating it to create pulp, which is then cleaned, de-inked, bleached, and turned into new paper. Paper recycling has several benefits, such as reducing waste and keeping carbon locked up for longer. While plastic and paper recycling face different challenges, both play a crucial role in reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
What Recycling Facilities Do With Plastics and Paper
| Characteristics | Plastics | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Sorting | Sorted by type (e.g. bags, bottles, foams) and baled into cubes | Sorted by grade (e.g. corrugated containers, newspapers, high-grade deinked paper) and baled |
| Cleaning | N/A | Paper is cleaned to remove ink, adhesives, and non-paper products |
| Processing | Turned into plastic pellets | The resulting pulp is dried and rolled |
| Challenges | Most plastic items collected for recycling are not actually recycled; some are landfilled or open-dumped, while others are incinerated | Paper should be kept dry as moisture reduces its recyclability; shredding also reduces fibre length, making it harder to recycle |
| Market | The plastic recycling market is impacted by fragmented infrastructure, making it difficult to find buyers for recycled plastic | Each grade of paper has a different commodity value, with old corrugated containers (OCC) typically having the highest value and mixed paper the lowest |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic waste management
The Basel Convention, an international agreement, provides guidance on the environmentally sound management of plastic waste. It is the first agreement to directly address plastic pollution. The convention encourages a systemic approach to using and reusing plastic throughout its lifecycle to ensure environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
To effectively manage plastic waste, several strategies can be employed:
- Source Reduction: The first step is to reduce the generation of plastic waste. This can be achieved by encouraging the use of alternative materials, such as reusable bags, and promoting a circular economy where products are designed for reuse and recycling.
- Collection and Disposal: Proper collection and disposal systems are essential. This includes providing access to controlled disposal services for solid waste and ensuring regular waste collection. Without these systems in place, plastic waste ends up littered or inadequately disposed of, contaminating the air, soil, and water.
- Recycling: Recycling is a key component of plastic waste management. However, it is important to note that not all plastics are recyclable, and the recyclability of a product depends on the local program. Some flexible plastics can be recycled into synthetic lumber or new plastic products. Encouraging the use of recycled content in new products is also important.
- Alternative Disposal Methods: When recycling is not an option, alternative disposal methods must be managed carefully. Landfilling, incineration, and uncontrolled dumping can have environmental consequences and should be minimized.
- International Cooperation: Plastic waste management requires international collaboration. The Basel Convention helps regulate the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, including plastics.
By implementing these strategies and promoting sustainable practices, we can work towards effectively managing plastic waste and mitigating its environmental impact.
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Paper waste management
Solid waste management (SWM) is a critical aspect of urban governance, particularly in rapidly growing cities. Effective SWM practices help achieve sustainable development goals, such as ensuring clean water and sanitation, creating sustainable cities, and mitigating climate change. However, commonplace SWM practices often fall short, with garbage from households and businesses being mixed with hazardous waste and disposed of in landfills, dumpsites, or through open-air incineration. These methods cause significant environmental and public health issues, including air and water pollution, land degradation, and the spread of diseases, which disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
To improve paper waste management, individuals can take several steps. Firstly, source separation is crucial. Keeping paper waste separate from other recyclables and ensuring it is clean and dry enhances its recyclability. Secondly, when possible, individuals should opt for recycled paper products or reusable alternatives, such as gift bags and boxes. This simple choice increases the demand for recycled products, encouraging more recycling and reducing the environmental impact of paper production.
On a larger scale, municipalities and waste management companies play a significant role in paper waste management. They can implement curbside recycling programs, provide clear guidelines to residents on acceptable recyclables, and offer drop-off locations for specific types of paper waste that may not be suitable for curbside collection. Additionally, investing in modern, well-managed waste treatment facilities can help ensure that paper waste is properly processed and recycled, reducing the reliance on landfills and incineration.
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Plastic recycling process
Plastic recycling is a complex process that involves multiple steps to ensure the plastic is properly recycled and safe for reuse. Firstly, collectors from the government or private companies collect post-consumer plastic waste from various sources, including households, schools, and other institutions. After collection, the plastic waste is sorted into different streams: the intended plastic (high value), missorted plastic containers (medium value), and waste (negative value). Sorting is done based on factors such as chemical composition, colour, thickness, and intended end-use. It is important to ensure that all contaminants, such as food residue, chemicals, and other non-plastic materials, are removed during this stage as they can disrupt the recycling process.
Once sorted, the plastic waste is washed to remove any remaining impurities, such as product labels, adhesives, and food residue. This step is crucial to ensuring the quality of the recycled plastic. After washing, the plastic is then shredded or cut into small pieces called "flake". Shredding further helps remove impurities like metals and prepares the plastic for the next stage. The flake is then washed again in hot water and detergent solution to thoroughly clean the surface and dissolve any remaining adhesives.
The washed flake is then separated into different types of plastic. This is typically done using a float-sink method, where some plastics float to the top while others sink to the bottom. This step ensures that the different types of plastic are processed correctly. After separation, the flake is rinsed and air-dried to remove any remaining moisture. If the recycled plastic is intended for food-contact packaging, it undergoes a decontamination process using vacuum and heat under low oxygen levels to meet food safety standards.
The dried flake is then melted and processed into pellets or "nurdles". These pellets are the raw material for creating new plastic products. They can be melted and moulded into various shapes to make new products, such as synthetic lumber for decking or park benches, or recycled directly into film, pouches, or bags. The recycling process for plastic is intricate and varies depending on the type of plastic and the intended end-use. It is important to properly sort and clean plastic waste to ensure successful recycling and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
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Paper recycling process
The paper recycling process is a straightforward procedure with multiple benefits for the environment and businesses. It is important to note that the recycling process starts with the consumer, who must ensure that only acceptable items are placed in the recycling bin. Paper for recycling needs to be gathered separately from other products and kept apart from other waste as contaminated papers are not acceptable for recycling.
Once the paper is placed in the proper bin, a waste and recycling hauler will collect the paper and transport it to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to be sorted. At the MRF, the paper is measured, sorted, and checked for contaminants. Different types of paper, such as cardboard, newspapers, magazines, and office paper, are treated differently in the recycling process. After sorting, the paper is baled and sent to a paper mill, where the recycling process truly begins.
At the paper mill, the paper is shredded into small scraps, and large amounts of water and chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, and sodium silicate, are added to break it down further into separate paper fibers. This results in a mushy mixture called pulp, which is the raw material for making recycled paper. The pulp is then transferred to a paper machine, where it undergoes several processes to remove ink and contaminants, increase its whiteness and purity, and form it into sheets of paper.
In the final stage of the paper recycling process, the cleaned paper pulp is used to manufacture new paper products. The pulp is combined with virgin wood fibers to enhance its smoothness and strength, although this is not always necessary. The recycled paper fibers can be used alone. Dyes can also be added during this stage to create colored paper. The pulp is mixed with warm water and chemicals, and then fed into a papermaking device. As the mixture passes through rollers, the water is squeezed out, and the paper fibers bond together to form sheets of paper. These sheets are then sent through heated rollers to create long rolls of continuous sheets of paper, which are then sent to manufacturers to produce various paper products.
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Challenges in recycling
Recycling is an effective method to reduce environmental impact and resource depletion. However, it comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to plastics and paper.
One of the main challenges is the complexity of the materials themselves. Plastic, for instance, has unique properties depending on its type, which affects its colour, shape, structure, and melting point. This means that different types of plastic must be sorted and kept separate to maintain purity. Paper, on the other hand, can be challenging to recycle when it has been laminated or has a shiny coating, as is often the case with gift wrap.
Another challenge is the combination of different materials in packaging and products. Plastic packaging often includes other materials such as metals, paper, pigments, inks, and adhesives, which can complicate the recycling process. This is also true for paper products, such as envelopes with plastic windows or pizza boxes with grease stains, which can be recycled but require special treatment to ensure food residue is removed.
The recycling process can also be hindered by the design of products. Many products are manufactured in ways that make it difficult to separate and recycle the plastic. For example, different types of plastic may be combined, or other materials such as glue and metal may be bonded to the plastic. This creates a challenge for recycling facilities as they must find ways to effectively separate and process these mixed materials.
Additionally, there is a challenge in terms of collection and sorting infrastructure. There is a shortage of facilities equipped to handle the ever-increasing volumes of plastic waste generated globally. This is further complicated by the need for efficient sorting, as different types of plastics must be separated to be effectively recycled, which is a complex and time-consuming task.
Lastly, there is an economic challenge associated with plastic recycling. Virgin raw materials are sometimes cheaper than recycled ones, so the added value of recycling must be communicated to stakeholders and customers to encourage its use. This includes highlighting the sustainability benefits and the potential for improved eco-efficiency through reduced energy and material usage.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, paper is recycled. In fact, it is one of the most recycled materials in the US.
Waste paper is mixed with water and chemicals to break it down. It is then chopped, heated, and strained to remove plastic and other contaminants. It is then cleaned, de-inked, bleached, and mixed with water to make new recycled paper.
Plastic is recycled, but not at high rates. In the US, only about a third of plastic bottles are recycled. Plastic is often sold, shipped, melted, resold, and shipped again before becoming a new product, like a carpet or clothing.
Plastic that isn't recycled usually ends up in landfills, as litter on the ground, or in the sea.
Check your local community's guidelines to understand what is accepted in your area. Keep paper dry and clean before putting it in the recycling bin. For plastic, make sure to rinse out bottles before placing them in the recycling bin.
