Plastic is one of the most useful and popular materials of our time. We now use 20 times as much plastic as we did 50 years ago.
Because of its popularity, plastic is used in a lot of places. It is, therefore, crucial to properly dispose of it once it has become waste. Reusing and recycling plastics can extend their lifespan.
What about other plastics?
It is possible to recycle mixed plastic packaging (trays, tubs, pots, and films). It is both economical and eco-friendly. About 79% of councils currently collect rigid plastic packaging like pots, tubs, and trays in household recycling collection.
How can it be recycled?
Plastics are:
Sorted according to polymer type
Shredded
Washed
Melted
Pelletized
Made into new products.
It involves two stages:
All contaminants are removed, initial sorting is done using a manual sort.
They are either shredded or melted to make pellets. Finally, they can then be moulded into new products.
Environmental impact
Plastic is a versatile material that is very popular. We use it a lot. We can increase the life expectancy of plastics by reusing and recycling as many items as possible. For example, we can recycle plastic bottles into new plastic bottles to reduce our dependence on new plastic.
We can do this:
Conserve non-renewable fossil energy (oil).
Reduce the energy consumption in the production and use of new plastic
Reduce the amount of solid waste that goes to landfill
Reduce the emission of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere
Made from recycled materials
A wide variety of products are made from recycled plastic, including:
Carrier bags
Underground drainage systems for homes, national infrastructure, and others
Flower pots, flower trays, seed trays, and watering cans
Car bumpers and wheel arch liners
Construction uses damp proof membranes, guttering, and window profiles
Reusable crates and pallets
Wheel bins and food caddies
Composters and wormeries
Drink bottles and food trays
Polyester fabric for clothing
Different types of plastic
Plastic packaging may have symbols that indicate the type of plastic it is made from and how to recycle it. Although you may have noticed a rise in the use of different types of plastic packaging by businesses, it can be challenging to distinguish your bioplastics from your biodegradable materials.
You can make plastic from either fossil-based or biobased materials. You can use both to create plastics that are durable and non-biodegradable, as well as plastics that biodegrade or compost.
The truth: A plastic made from bio-based materials does not necessarily mean that it will biodegrade.
