The Truth About Plastic Recycling

Recycling is often seen as a straightforward process, but especially with plastics, it's far more intricate than it appears. In this post, we aim to demystify misconceptions, address challenges, and present solutions regarding recycling. Join us as we explore the complexities of recycling and expand your understanding.

Plastic stands as one of the most consumed materials in today's world. Ever wondered what becomes of all that plastic once we're done with it? Despite our knowledge and technological capabilities, proper disposal often falls short. In 2016, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation introduced 'The New Plastics Economy,' a comprehensive report exploring circular economy principles within the global plastics industry. Their findings revealed a stark reality: among the 78 million tons of plastic packaging produced annually, a mere 8% undergoes recycling, with only 2% returning to similar quality applications. Shockingly, 40% ends up in landfills, while 32% simply leaks into the environment. These statistics are staggering, especially considering the prevalent marketing claims of products being recyclable and the widespread belief in recycling as a solution to environmental waste.

So why does this happen? If we have the technology to recycle plastics, how come a third of it leaks into the environment and a whopping 40% ends up in landfills? Well, it's quite complex. We're still entrenched in a linear economy framework where the material is extracted, produced, and then discarded as waste. It's a cheaper and less complicated approach than shifting to circular practices, as the cost is externalized onto someone else—the planet and future generations.

The collection, sorting, and actual recycling process all demand energy and robust logistics, effectively forming a separate industry. Adding to this complexity, plastics aren't a single material but comprise various materials requiring separation before recycling. Due to the high costs, only the most common and economically viable plastic types are targeted for recycling, leaving many excluded. Their differing properties mean most plastics can't be recycled together, limiting their output to low-value products like carpets and pipes.

Consumer behavior is also pivotal. For a plastic product to qualify for collection and recycling, users must place it in the plastic bin. Misplacing a recyclable plastic bag in general waste means it never reaches the recycling factory.

The New Plastics Economy outlined an ideal circular plastics system, depicted in the figure by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. This transition involves three primary steps. Firstly, creating an effective after-use plastics economy requires radical improvements in economic values, qualities, and uptake rates. Secondly, reducing plastic leakage into the environment entails making plastic recycling a more economically viable business. Lastly, decoupling plastic from the fossil industry by transitioning toward renewable virgin sources would sustain the plastics industry, making it a valuable future investment.

Several promising initiatives are underway to promote plastic circularity. One such initiative is PET bottle deposit schemes. These schemes impose a deposit fee at purchase, refunded upon returning the bottle through a designated system. This strategy helps capture materials for recycling, facilitating efficient collection, reducing littering, and promoting reuse or recycling. Consequently, it encourages higher quality secondary materials, uncontaminated by other substances or additives.

EU and national-level legislations are pivotal in reducing plastic packaging usage. Initiatives like incorporating a plastic tax of 0.8 Euro per Kg on non-recycled plastic waste and implementing single-use plastics bans significantly minimize plastic usage.

In summary, recycling is a challenging yet crucial process that demands collaborative efforts across society. It marks a significant milestone in our journey towards sustainability. While plastic packaging has transformed our lives for the better in many ways, we cannot disregard its consequences. Striving for a circular economy, as proposed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, enables us to enjoy its benefits while safeguarding our precious planet.

Sources: The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2016. The New Plastics Economy