Plastic Recycling and the Environment
Global statistics on plastic waste indicate the estimated volumes disposed of annually through various methods, including incineration, disposal of business waste and recycling. These statistics are impacted primarily by the recycling activities of the largest plastic waste-producing nations, a mixture of developed and developing economies. Not all countries publish official figures, though. Some publish only partial data for population centres.
This makes it difficult to compare national recycling rates. Published recycling rates can also differ widely by county. This article discusses global plastic waste statistics and their impact on the environment. Please click here for more information and pricing on commercial waste.
Plastic Recycling: Chemical recycling
The rise of chemical recycling is a game-changer and a cornerstone of the circular economy. Plastic waste is not exclusively European, and the recent investment increase shows that the industry is committed to the problem. The increased investment also aligns with the EU’s climate and sustainability goals. But, it will take substantial investment to fully realise this technology’s benefits.
To do so, the plastic industry will need to align its investment with predictable volumes. The yield of a particular plastic recycling technology depends on the contamination and composition of the input plastic waste. Sound sorting systems are necessary for this recycling to be effective. Chemical recycling yields can reach about 70 to 80% of original polymers.
However, some polymers contain additives during processing, affecting their basic properties and changing the melt flow. These additives can also impart specific characteristics to the recycled polymer. Mechanical recycling of plastics involves washing and sorting the waste materials by polymer type and colour. These separated polymers are remelted and shaped into pellets, then made into new plastic products.
Mechanical recycling can degrade plastic quality, so chemical recycling is a better solution. Chemical recycling can be used for contaminated or mixed plastic waste. It also ensures high-quality plastic products. However, chemical recycling can be expensive. In addition to enhancing resource efficiency, chemical recycling can help close the loop in the transition to a circular economy for plastics.
Chemical recycling can create a single market and reduce reliance on carbon imports by turning worthless plastic waste into valuable secondary raw materials. It will also reduce waste and carbon emissions by using carbon-rich waste streams as readily available resources. So, if you’re thinking about investing in plastic recycling, it’s essential to find out how chemical recycling can benefit you and the environment.
Plastic Recycling: Air classification
Air classifiers are often used in plastic recycling to separate lighter and heavier materials. These machines use airflow, the force of gravity and drag to separate particles with different densities. NUESTRO, the company that developed air classifiers, develops customised wind sifters for different projects. Although most of these machines are used for film separation, they can also be used for dust separation. The units consist of a blow hood and a suction hood.
To make the best use of a granulator, the pieces of plastic are cleaned and shredded into flakes and granules. This process increases their surface area, making them easier to transport and re-purpose.
Granules are then tested for their quality and density. Other parameters are tested, such as melting point and colour. For more information, contact the manufacturer. Air classification for plastic recycling processes is essential to the sustainability of the process. Plastics are classified according to their density. Expanded polystyrene, for example, contains 95% air. It requires more energy than other plastics because of its high air content.
This material is considered a non-petrochemical. Therefore, its recycling requires more energy than other plastics. To ensure the safest recycling process for the environment, choosing an appropriate classifier for the type of plastics in question is essential. The SPI code is also essential in determining the best way to recycle certain kinds of plastic. The SPI code is a standardised way to identify different plastic types. Once you know the SPI code, you’ll be able to separate it more easily.
If you have a lot of different plastics, you can use a classifier to determine which kind is best for recycling. It will help you make a more informed decision and avoid plastic that doesn’t fit your environmental standards. This is a popular technique used for sorting co-mingled recyclables. It works by breaking down plastic into smaller pieces that can be processed for reuse. The re-sized pieces can be sold as raw materials or used as fillers for asphalt.
Additionally, breaking down the plastics allows you to identify impurities. You can even collect metal contaminants with a magnet. It’s an efficient way to increase recycling rates and reduce rejects.
Recycling codes |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
PETE |
HDPE |
V |
LDPE |
PP |
|
Polyethylene Terephthalate. |
High Density Polyethylene |
Polyvinyl Chloride |
Low-density Polyethylene |
Polypropylene |
All other plastics |
Plastic Recycling: Cost-benefit Analysis
Despite the many benefits of plastic recycling, the cost-benefit analysis remains elusive. There are numerous hidden costs. The highest cost, however, is the depletion of resources. Plastics are cheap, but they are also limited. Recycling these waste materials can reduce negative externalities, including reduced costs for cleaning beaches and oceans. The environmental costs of maintaining beaches are estimated at £630 million annually.
This figure is only a tiny part of the overall cost. Although plastic recycling costs are still high, the process is becoming more predictable, with new technologies that stabilise, compatible and mobilise the waste. New technologies are being developed to reduce rejects and achieve high throughput. This means that the cost of recycling plastics is expected to decrease. The process could be profitable in the future as more materials are recycled.
While the current plastic recycling technology is imperfect, the future is bright for this industry. In addition to saving energy, plastic recycling can also reduce the demand for scarce natural resources. Manufacturing new plastic products from crude oil consume millions of barrels yearly. We can reduce our fossil fuel consumption by up to 40% by recycling plastic waste. Furthermore, we save precious natural resources like petroleum.
Using recycled materials can prevent waste production and reduce the risk of pollution. These benefits make it a valuable tool for social and environmental responsibility. So, before investing in plastic recycling, consider the cost-benefit analysis to make an informed decision about your plastics strategy. You’ll be glad you did.
The costs and benefits of plastic recycling can be estimated using various methodologies. One method includes:
- The cost of a product.
- The benefit of an environmental improvement.
- The social cost of its production.
For example, collecting and processing plastic bottles would increase with curbside and commercial collections, but the total cost would decrease. The costs and benefits of a recycling system could also be measured as an improvement in the quality of the community and environment. Case studies To understand the current situation in recycling, it is necessary to consider the different processes.
The environmental impact of plastic recycling depends on the method used to recover the raw materials. This process can be categorised into primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary recycling is the most appropriate solution for polymers and is recommended for additive products. Secondary recycling is appropriate for monomers. The environmental impact of tertiary recycling depends on the type of plastic and the technology used. Many recycling technologies can be used to treat plastic waste.
Primary recycling is one of the least environmentally damaging technologies, but secondary mechanical recycling offers a better option for most engineering plastics. However, primary recycling is required to increase purity and sorting efficiency to obtain a high level of environmental performance. Low sorting efficiency will diminish the positive environmental impacts of primary recycling. For optimal performance, pre-treatment is required for each plastic type. The circular economy of plastics is an area of great interest.
A study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the European Commission found that if plastic products are used four to five times, they will have reached their ‘circularity’ and significantly reduced emissions. Although landfills cannot reach this level of circularity, they can significantly reduce the volume of plastic waste in the environment. Further, landfills can become persistent organic pollutants.
A paper/plastic recycling provider with multiple locations across the USA and Europe faced a dilemma after the ban in 2015. Two facilities had over a million pounds of plastic scrap inventory and were out of space. Despite being out of space, the facility still had contracts to collect paper and “plastic” waste. Therefore, they were forced to reduce production.
Plastic Recycling – Learn more about UK business waste statistics here
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