However, this widespread use of plastics has also led to a massive plastic waste problem across the world. Most conventional plastics are not biodegradable and can persist in landfills and the natural environment for hundreds of years. This creates serious threats to wildlife, pollution of water bodies, and contributes to climate change. Recycling plastics can help address this problem by reducing plastic waste and enabling reuse of resources.
Types of Plastics Commonly Recycled
There are several types of plastics that are commonly collected for recycling. PET or polyethylene terephthalate is used widely in water and soda bottles. It is one of the most widely Recycled Plastic materials. HDPE or high-density polyethylene is used in milk jugs, shampoo bottles, grocery bags etc. PVC or polyvinyl chloride is commonly used in pipes, gutters, window frames and other construction materials. LDPE or low-density polyethylene is found in some product wrapping films, bags and containers. PP or polypropylene is used in containers, bottles, automotive components and fabrics. PS or polystyrene is used in food packaging, plastic utensils, containers and protective packaging like cushioning. These plastics have established recycling processes and markets for their recycled content.
Plastic Recycling Process
The plastic recycling process involves multiple steps to recover, process and manufacture recyclable plastics into new products. Collected plastic waste is first sorted by resin type at a materials recovery facility using identifier codes on the plastic. It is then cleaned, shredded and melted into plastic flakes. These flakes are then processed into pellets, sheets or fibers using extruders. The recycled plastic is now a consistent, reusable raw material that can be employed in new plastic product manufacturing. Common recycled plastic products include clothes, flooring, plastic lumber, picnic tables, trash cans, plastic pipes, and more. Closed loop recycling aims to make plastic products from the same type of recycled plastic resin to maximize quality and economic value.
Challenges in Plastic Recycling
While plastic recycling aims to reduce waste, there are still several challenges that hinder wider adoption. Contamination of recyclables with food waste or other trash disrupts the recycling process. The label codes on plastics also do not always clearly identify resins, leading to incorrect sorting. There are also technical barriers – recycled plastic often degrades in quality with each recycling cycle. This limits the applications for recycled content. Lack of harmonized global standards also impacts recycling rates across borders. Public awareness and participation in collection also varies significantly between regions and demographics. High costs of collection, segregation and processing of low volumes of recyclables is another hindrance for developing countries. Overcoming these obstacles through innovative solutions and policy push is needed to maximize recycling’s potential.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
Increased plastic recycling provides multiple economic and environmental advantages. It creates local jobs in collection, processing and remanufacturing of recyclables. Using recycled resins as raw material also cuts costs for plastic manufacturers compared to producing from virgin plastic. Recycled plastics markets help further incentivize recycling programs and investments. Most importantly, plastic recycling significantly reduces plastic waste ends up in landfills and natural areas that impacts wildlife and ecosystems. It is estimated that recycling just 1 tonne of plastics can save up to 3.8 cubic meters of landfill space. By lowering demand for virgin plastic production, recycling also lessens greenhouse gas emissions that result from plastic manufacturing. Substituting fossil fuel-based virgin plastics with recyclates also conserves non-renewable resources like oil and natural gas.
Government Initiatives to Boost Recycling
Policy support from governments and corporations is crucial to promote plastic recycling on a wider scale. Mandatory recycled content laws requiring minimum use of recycled resins in plastic products drive demand and markets. Deposit return schemes for bottles and containers boost collection rates substantially. Advance disposal fees levied on virgin plastic producers fund improved waste management infrastructure. Restrictions on certain single-use plastics reduce unnecessary plastic consumption. Public awareness campaigns encourage citizens to adopt sustainable plastic habits. Collaborations between community groups, businesses and governments result in efficient waste collection networks and processing facilities even in remote areas. Financial incentives for recycling startups attract private investment to advance recycling technology and solutions. With a combination of regulations, investments and collaborations, it is possible to build an effective circular plastic economy.
As humans generate ever-growing amounts of plastic waste, recycling presents an important way to curb plastic pollution and protect the planet. Despite barriers, recycling programs around the world have proven that increased recovery and reuse of plastics are eminently feasible with dedication. Continued innovation and coordination between different stakeholders can further strengthen global plastic recycling rates. Citizen participation through conscientious consumption and segregation habits is also essential. With a collaborative and multipronged approach, the plastic waste crisis can be managed sustainably through robust recycling systems of the future.
*Note:
1.Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2.We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
About Author - Vaagisha Singh
Vaagisha brings over three years of expertise as a content editor in the market research domain. Originally a creative writer, she discovered her passion for editing, combining her flair for writing with a meticulous eye for detail. Her ability to craft and refine compelling content makes her an invaluable asset in delivering polished and engaging write-ups. LinkedIn