Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
1.9 Recyclability Issues
Sustainable development is based on the principal of the three Rs: 'reuse, recycle
and reduce'. Plastic is almost everywhere today. Over the past three decades, plastic
consumption has increased tremendously in Western countries thereby depleting the
petroleum resources (which are limited). One of the best ways to limit the plastic
waste that we create is to prevent them from going to landill. It is much easier to
recycle or compost organic material whereas it is a big challenge for us to safely
recycle petrochemicals, or hazardous and harmful chemicals in the form of plasticisers,
pigments, stabilisers and so on.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, plastic constituted less than 1%
of municipal solids in 1960, whereas in 2009 it is estimated to be 12.3% of municipal
solid waste on a weight basis. Some of the major reasons for this can be attributed to
the switch over from use of paper and glass to plastic products for many applications.
This change over to use of plastic materials is not only happening in USA but in all
the countries around the world.
Plastics are more complicated to recycle than other materials, because there are
thousands of different types of materials available in the market and they may also
contain several chemicals. For recycling to work, the manufacturer must be willing
to accept the material to make new products and they must be cost-effective and the
people must be willing to accept it.
Recycling of plastics has many beneits, namely it contributes to energy savings and
reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It also saves the non-renewable sources from which
it is manufactured. It also provides employment for millions of people and families
in developing countries.
The main issue for plastic recyclability is that collection is expensive, because of
their low bulk they occupy lots of space and transportation is costly. To collect the
same types of plastics in signiicant amounts, trucks have to make many trips from
different communities from where it is collected. Another problem is the low market
for recycled product and a small number of recycling companies. Many industries
which pollute the environment should not receive government support. Recycling must
receive government support in order for it to succeed. The recycling of plastics can be
toxic. But it is still a better option than burying or burning them. In the incineration
process plastics release harmful chemicals to the air and when buried in landill,
the slow deterioration also releases harmful chemicals, which can contaminate the
ground water. Increasing the price of feedstock will make recycling more attractive.
There are four major types of plastics that are recycled and these include: HDPE,
LDPE, PP, PS and PVC.
