Plastic recycling

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Global production and fate of plastics

Primary plastic waste generation by polymer, OWID

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Symbol Resin Code 01 PET

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Plastic recycling is the process of recovering scrap or waste plastic and reprocessing the material into useful products. Since the vast majority of plastic is non-biodegradable, recycling is a part of global efforts to reduce plastic in the waste stream, thereby reducing plastic pollution, minimizing environmental impact, and conserving resources.

Overview

Plastic recycling involves several steps, starting from the collection of plastic waste from various sources, such as households, industries, and businesses. The collected plastic materials are then sorted based on their resin type and color. Sorting is crucial because different types of plastic melt at different temperatures and have different properties, which affects the quality of the recycled product. After sorting, the plastic waste is cleaned to remove any impurities, such as labels, food residues, or dirt.

The clean plastic waste is then shredded into small pieces, a process that makes it easier to process and mold into new products. These shredded plastics are then subjected to various recycling processes, such as mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and energy recovery, to transform them into raw materials or energy.

Types of Plastic Recycling

Mechanical Recycling

Mechanical recycling is the most common method of plastic recycling. It involves physically breaking down plastic waste into small flakes or pellets, which can then be melted and remolded into new products. This method is most effective for recycling single-type plastics, such as bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Chemical Recycling

Chemical recycling, also known as feedstock recycling, breaks down polymers into their constituent monomers, which can then be repolymerized into new plastics. This method allows for the recycling of mixed plastic waste and can produce plastics of near-virgin quality. However, chemical recycling is more complex and costly than mechanical recycling.

Energy Recovery

Energy recovery is a process where non-recyclable plastic waste is converted into usable heat, electricity, or fuel through various processes, including incineration, pyrolysis, gasification, and plasma arc gasification. While this method does not recycle plastics into new plastic products, it is a way to recover energy from plastic waste that would otherwise go to landfills.

Challenges in Plastic Recycling

Plastic recycling faces several challenges, including the complexity of sorting mixed plastics, the degradation of plastic quality after recycling, and the economic viability of recycling processes. Additionally, the presence of additives in some plastics can complicate recycling efforts and limit the types of products that can be made from recycled material.

Environmental Impact

Recycling plastics reduces the demand for new plastic production, conserves resources, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic manufacturing. However, the environmental benefits of plastic recycling depend on the efficiency of recycling processes and the reduction of plastic waste generation at the source.

Future of Plastic Recycling

Advancements in recycling technologies, such as improved sorting techniques and the development of more recyclable plastic materials, are expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of plastic recycling. Additionally, increasing public awareness and regulatory measures aimed at reducing plastic waste are crucial for promoting plastic recycling.

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