What is Plastic Recycling, and How Does Plastic Get Recycled?

Plastic Recycling 

Plastic recycling is a crucial step in the manufacturing process, as it involves collecting used plastics and reprocessing them into new, high-quality products. Over a trillion pounds of plastic are manufactured and consumed annually worldwide. Recycling plastic prevents waste and allows resources to be repurposed to create new goods. 

We are surrounded by plastic. Plastic is ubiquitous; it’s in everything from soda bottles and supermarket bags to credit cards and ID cards. The majority of these polymers are derived from petroleum and related substances. There are benefits and drawbacks to having so much plastic in our environment.

The use of plastic products can contribute to environmental degradation.  The impacts can be harmful to both people and the environment. Making new plastic items might be wasteful if they are not properly managed. Therefore, it makes sense to recycle and reuse plastic materials.

This is why plastic recycling is such an important step in the manufacturing process. How does recycling work, and what does it mean to “recycle” plastic?

Your concerns have been addressed in this article. We explain the procedure for recycling plastic and the benefits that accrue to society and the planet as a whole.

The process of collecting used plastics and reprocessing them into brand-new, high-quality plastic goods is known as plastic recycling. Over a trillion pounds of plastic are manufactured and consumed annually around the globe. Recycling plastic prevents this enormous amount of plastic from being wasted. As an alternative, resources can be repurposed to create new goods.

Typically Seen: Recycled Plastics: What Are They?

Try to guess. We encounter mostly recyclable plastic in our daily lives. Here are a few examples of recyclable plastics that you might encounter.

PET

One of the most common thermoplastics is PET (polyethene terephthalate). This thin material is ideal for making items that won’t be subjected to a lot of pressure. PET is commonly used in the production of clothing fabrics and soft drink bottles.

PVC

Thermoplastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is still another option. In addition to being a widely used plastic, it is also one of the most versatile. Wires, pipelines, bottles, and adhesive films are all made from PVC.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is another thermoplastic. In comparison to PVC, it is gentler and more malleable. Manufacturers utilize HDPE to create things like jugs and pipelines, to name a couple of examples.

LDPE

The polar opposite of HDPE is this substance. Plastic bags are made from LPDE (low-density polyethylene). The process of recycling this material can be difficult at times. You can clean them up and put them to use again instead of recycling them.

However, the reality is that not all plastics can be recycled. This is because there are a wide variety of plastics available. Furthermore, recycling some of these materials is not cost-effective.

The lengthy procedure or prohibitive price tag is usually to blame. Sometimes the current recycling system isn’t efficient enough. For instance, recycling machines could malfunction if certain materials were introduced.

PS: It’s a polymer called PS PS: Plastic yoghurt containers and forks are only two of the many useful items that may be made from this material.

PP is a polymer as well. It is commonly used in the production of plastic containers, plastic furniture, and plastic jar tops. The vast majority of recyclables will be declined by recycling centres.

Given this, it’s clear that not all plastics are equally amenable to recycling. And the plastics you don’t recycle end up in the trash or a landfill. However, plastics should be recycled whenever possible.

How does one recycle plastic?

Several distinct polymers are available. This means that it’s not practical to use a single method to recycle all plastics. There are, however, two ways to recycle plastic.

Common Methods of Recycling

Most people recycle this way. Mechanical recycling is another term for the standard method of recycling. Thermoplastics are a good fit for this procedure.

In the conventional recycling process, plastics are melted down and refined into new plastic goods. Recyclers use a process called injection moulding to transform the melted plastic into new items.

Superior Recyclability

In the process of advanced recycling, plastic is decomposed by the action of chemicals. Three additional procedures make up this strategy. Methods such as gasification, chemical recycling, and pyrolysis are examples.

The process of pyrolysis can be used to convert plastic garbage into petroleum. In chemical recycling, a polymer is broken down into a usable monomer. Chemical recycling is used in the production of nylon, for instance.

However, gasification can be used to change plastic into gas. The produced gas is then used by generators to generate electricity.

There are advantages to both classic recycling and cutting-edge recycling methods. However, the choice between the two approaches is dependent on the resources at hand. The choice of recycling technique is also influenced by the desired end product of the recycler.

However, the process of recycling is the same across all approaches. Have no fear; the next section will reveal these measures.

Video 01: What is Plastic Recycling and How Does Plastic Get Recycled?