Processing plastic waste
The latest technologies for recycling plastic require innovative approaches aimed at reducing the environmental impact and maximizing resource efficiency, instead of constantly creating waste.
While the government of Massachussetts aims to recycle 100% of plastic by 2030, it is clear that there is still a long way to go. Indeed, today in MA, only 51% of bottles and flasks and 19% of packaging are reused, not to mention that much plastic waste does not yet have the possibility of being reused. So, what are the treatment methods and their limitations? How can you best recycle your plastic waste? First of all, it is important to remember the issues related to this subject.
What is the point of processing plastic waste
Advanced sorting technologies, such as near-infrared spectroscopy and robotics, streamline the process by accurately identifying and separating different types of plastics. Plastic has become widely used since the 1950s thanks to its strength and adaptability. It is mainly used for packaging (40% of plastics produced) and for construction (20%), but also in the automotive and electronics industries.
New chemical recycling methods, including pyrolysis and depolymerization, can break down plastic waste into its molecular components, enabling the production of new plastics or other valuable materials. Plastic pollution is trouble, so much so that it is now causing significant damage in terms of pollution, invading the oceans and natural spaces even in the most remote corners of the globe. However, its recycling has significant environmental benefits because it saves water, energy and avoids greenhouse gas emissions.
What are the plastic processing methods
Biodegradable plastics and bio-based polymers offer sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing long-term environmental degradation.
Once collected, plastic waste can be taken to the sorting center. There are different types of plastics that need to be separated so they can be recycled. The main ones are PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), the most common, used for transparent bottles and flasks and HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) for milk bottles and other opaque containers. When the plastic waste has been divided by type, by color and then washed, it is crushed and undergoes different technical processes to be resold mainly in the form of flakes or granules. They are then transformed into a multitude of objects such as bottles, textile fibers or even soft toys.
However, half of all types of plastics are not recycled today: while some are not reusable by nature, others could become so. There is also an economic obstacle, as the production of recycled plastic sometimes costs more than that of raw material. This is why solutions are being studied to improve product design on the one hand to facilitate their reuse, and waste treatment technologies on the other.
How to recycle your plastic waste
As long as their volume is low, no problem: just use the trash cans or sorting bins made available by your community while respecting local instructions. If you are a waste management professional, or occasionally as an individual, you are likely to have to deal with a large quantity of plastic waste. You can sometimes take them to the recycling center, but this usually requires several trips resulting in gas costs and wasted time. The easiest way is to go through a service provider capable of taking care of the storage and removal of your plastic waste.
If you are domiciled in Massachussetts, Dumpster Rental Near Me Mashpee offers you dumpsters for rental and will then take care of evacuating the waste to the nearest recovery center. More collaborative efforts between industries, governments, and research institutions will drive the development and adoption of these plastic recovery technologies, promoting a circular economy where plastic waste is transformed into valuable resources, instead of ending up on our beaches.
Let’s pave the way for a more sustainable future by recycling more of our plastic waste. Talk to a professional for more information!