Plastic, due to its durability and other characteristics, makes it a highly useful material in society. Cables that stretch across the ocean floor, underground water pipes, and packaging that keeps food fresh depend on this property. But because it's a highly durable product, plastic recycling is something important in relation to environmental issues.
This article will provide further details about what is plastic recycling, what are the types and different stages of this process.
What is plastic recycling?
THE plastic recycling Recycling is the process of collecting waste from this material and converting it into new, useful plastic products. The world produces approximately 380 tons of plastic every year, according to a report by Plastic Pollution Facts.
Of this total, approximately 50% are single-use and then discarded, with 10 million tons of this material reaching the oceans annually. These statistics demand appropriate measures to mitigate the impact this material has on the environment, and that's where recycling comes in.
What is the plastic recycling process like?
There are a number of necessary steps involved in the plastic recycling process, the main ones being collection, sorting and reprocessing.
Collect
Plastic is deposited by users into a recycling container. Plastic collection is essential for the proper functioning of the recycling system. The more plastic suitable for recycling is collected, the more material is available to be reprocessed and used in new products.
Classification
The facilities separate plastic from other materials and also into different types of plastic. Plastics differ in size, color, thickness, and use, and this process classifies them based on these qualities.
Plastic color and resin content are often the basis for sorting plastics. Sorting is essential because it allows recyclers to group materials with similar properties for more effective and efficient recycling.
Reprocessing
The plastic is washed, ground into flakes, heated, and extruded into new pellets. At the end of this step, new plastic and non-plastic products are produced by processing the small granules of plastic resins, called pellets.
The plastic recycling process is also time- and energy-intensive, and recyclers must fully understand the end product they intend to obtain and the entire process to manage time and energy efficiently.
What are the types of plastic recycling?
In the plastics recycling industry, there are two methods with distinct characteristics and uses: mechanical recycling and chemical recycling.
Mechanical recycling
Mechanical recycling is by far the most common plastic recycling method. It's the traditional method used for decades, accounting for the vast majority of plastic recycling worldwide.
Mechanical recycling uses a plastic crusher for recycling, washing, sorting, and reprocessing. Recycled plastic can then be converted into other products that replace the use of virgin plastics.
However, there are considerable limitations to this recycling method. One of these is the various sorting and separation phases, as well as the complex regeneration processes required, due to the diversity of polymeric resins and the external pollution that occurs in the various phases of the plastic's life, from its manufacture to its arrival at the regenerator (contamination through the use of packaging or contact with other materials, etc.).
Chemical recycling
Chemical recycling is the process of recycling plastics by chemically altering the polymer's structure, forming a raw material that can be used to manufacture new products. Chemical recycling can handle plastics that may not be suitable for mechanical recycling.
However, the costs of this technology are currently high, which is why some manufacturers prefer to use cheaper virgin plastic for now. It's worth noting that there's currently a lot of research and development work in this area, which has already led to numerous pilot and demonstrator projects, providing reason to expect growth in chemical recycling over the next decade.
Reducing the production costs of bio-based intermediate products and ensuring access to the resource will be fundamental to the implementation of these technologies.
What are the types of plastic?
There are countless types of plastic, distributed into seven categories, which will be better described below.
Number 1: PETE (or PET) – Polyethylene terephthalate
One of the most common types of plastic you're likely to encounter is the resin used in the manufacture of products such as food containers and plastic water or soda bottles. PETE (sometimes simply called PET) is widely recycled.
Number 2: HDPE – High-density polyethylene
Stiffer than PETE, this type of plastic is used in what may appear to be “tougher” products, such as detergent bottles, food and beverage storage, bottle caps, some thicker shopping bags, and non-disposable plastic products such as toys, helmets, and piping.
Number 3: PVC – Polyvinyl chloride
PVC is considered one of the most versatile and common types of plastic, being used in applications such as water and sewage pipes (as it is highly resistant to chemical and biological damage), flooring, signage, furniture and much more.
While some methods have been developed to recycle PVC, it is not common and is rarely found in general plastic collections. This is largely due to PVC's toxicity when processed.
Number 4: LDPE – Low-density polyethylene
While not as strong as HDPE, this low-density plastic is highly resilient and used in a wide range of products, such as containers, playground accessories, and plastic garbage bags.
This type of resin is recyclable, but many products can be excluded (such as plastic bags) as they pose a risk of clogging machines and are not worth recycling.
Number 5: PP – Polypropylene
Commonly used in injection molding, this plastic can be found in products ranging from bottle caps to surgical instruments and clothing. Although PP is recyclable, it is often rejected by processing centers due to the problems it poses, making its recycling rate much lower than that of other plastics.
Number 6: PS – Polystyrene
This plastic is often used in disposable food containers, insulated containers, and packaging materials. Despite its abundance, PS is rarely recycled because it is unprofitable (in its most common form, expanded polystyrene, or Styrofoam, it is 95% air) and requires more energy than it saves to recycle.
Number 7: Others
This category encompasses the remainder, which may include combinations of any of the previous six, as well as other less-used plastics. This classification also includes non-petrochemical plastics, such as new plastics, polymers, and bioplastics.
As such, anything marked with the number 7 is generally not included in the plastic recycling process, but may have other waste solutions.
How important is plastic recycling?
Plastic recycling is multifaceted. Some factors that explain its importance are:
- Recycling plastic reduces the amount of waste that ends up in the oceans;
- The process creates new jobs;
- Plastic recycling generates additional revenue for the government and private organizations;
- Reduces the release of carbon dioxide and harmful gases into the environment;
- Conserves landfill space. Allows these landfills to be used for other purposes;
- Recycling saves oil that producers can use to make new plastics.
In short, the plastic recycling is a fundamental pillar for environmental preservation, working to reduce dependence on natural resources, minimizing pollution and encouraging sustainable practices.
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