Plastic recycling

Plastic Recycling a Persistent Problem

Introduction

Plastic recycling is a widely discussed topic due to the increasing use of plastic materials. It is commonly seen as a solution to reduce plastic waste by collecting and converting it into new products.

Why Plastic Recycling is an arduous task?

However, plastic recycling faces significant challenges. One major issue is the cost of collecting and processing recyclable materials. Local governments must maintain collection facilities, vehicles, and personnel, making it expensive to operate recycling programs.

Furthermore, to meet the quality standards of manufacturers, recycled plastic must be as pure as virgin plastic. This requires careful sorting of different plastic types, each with unique melting requirements.

Types of Plastics and Sorting Difficulties

To the naked eye, all plastics for general use seem similar. However, there are 7 “recyclable” plastics. They can have identified by numerical symbols on their containers. This number shows the chemical characteristic of the plastic. Sorting these plastics is crucial as they cannot be mixed during recycling due to their different melting points and chemical properties. For example, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) used in pipes and blinds produces a strong acid when melted, which is undesirable in other products.

Polyolefin, such as HDPE, LDPE, and PP, are commonly used in milk bottles (HDPE), plastic bags (LDPE), and takeout containers (PP). They account for a significant portion of plastic production but are difficult to sort due to their similar characteristics. HDPE (high density polyethylene) and LDPE (low density polyethylene) possesses the same chemical structure but HDPE has a higher melting point ranging between 130-138 degrees whereas LDPE is between 105-115 degrees. This means if the two materials are recycled together there is a high chance one product will contaminate the other and hence no reliable and usable product from the resultant recycled material.

 

Limitations of Sorting Technologies for Plastic Recycling

Traditionally, plastic waste was sorted manually using the recycling symbols on containers. However, this method is time-consuming and prone to errors. Advanced sorting technologies, such as near-infrared light, have been developed to improve accuracy. However, these technologies still have limitations and cannot sort all types of plastic waste.

Conclusion

While recycling remains a vital strategy for reducing plastic waste, it faces challenges related to the costs and complexity of sorting. To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of plastic recycling, ongoing efforts are needed to develop more advanced sorting technologies and explore innovative solutions for handling different plastic types.  

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Dube Ashley

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