Plastic waste has become one of the biggest environmental problems faced globally. With increased plastic production and consumption, tonnes of plastic end up in landfills and oceans every year causing immense damage. However, there is a sustainable solution to this issue - recycling plastic into granules that can be reused to make new plastic products. Recycled plastic granules offer an eco-friendly way to reduce dependence on virgin plastics and help tackle the plastic waste crisis.
The plastic recycling process
Plastic recycling involves collecting post-consumer plastic waste like packaging, containers etc and processing it to obtain plastic granules. The recycling process starts with sorting the collected plastic by resin type. The sorted plastic pieces then undergo shredding to break them into small flakes. These flakes are washed, dried and melted in an extruder. As the plastic melt comes out of the extruder, it is cut or pelletized into small plastic granules. Modern recycling facilities use automated sorting systems and advanced melting technologies to efficiently produce good quality recycled plastic granules.
Advantages of recycled plastic granules
Reusing plastic waste as recycled granules provides significant environmental and economic advantages over producing goods from virgin plastics:
Reduces plastic waste: Recycling plastic waste prevents it from ending up in landfills and oceans. This helps reduce environmental pollution caused by plastic.
Conserves resources: Producing goods from recycled plastic granules requires less energy compared to manufacturing from virgin plastics. It conserves valuable oil reserves used to make new plastic.
Lowers carbon footprint: The plastic recycling process has a much lower carbon footprint than producing virgin plastics from fossil fuels. It helps mitigate climate change.
Saves costs: Recycled plastic granules are often cheaper than virgin plastic pellets. Using recycled content lowers production costs for manufacturers.
Sustainable solution: Plastic recycling provides a sustainable circular solution to minimize dependence on limited natural resources for plastic production.
Applications of recycled plastic
Recycled plastic granules have applications across many industries due to their versatility:
Packaging industry: Granules are used to make various types of plastic packaging like bottles, containers, wrappers, bags and films. This sector is a major user of recycled content.
Automotive industry: Auto parts like panels, bumpers, seals made with recycled plastics help automakers meet sustainability targets.
Construction industry: Pipes, panels, fittings produced using recycled plastics add insulation and durability in construction.
Household goods: Recycled plastic finds applications in appliances, furniture, storage boxes and other consumer goods.
Textiles: Certain recycled plastic granules are used to manufacture polyester fibers and fabrics.
Agriculture: Mulch films, greenhouse covers, pots and other agriculture related items utilise recycled plastics.
Challenges in plastic recycling
While plastic recycling provides immense benefits, there are certain challenges that need to be addressed to increase recycling rates globally:
Contamination: Food residues and other contaminants make plastic difficult to recycle and lower quality of recycled output. Improper disposal is a key issue.
Infrastructure: Collection infrastructure and sorting/processing facilities need expansion in many areas to efficiently handle large volumes of plastic waste.
Low oil prices: Cheap virgin plastic negatively impacts demand for recycled plastic when oil prices are low.
Market access: Developing sustainable end-markets and demand for recycled plastics is important to provide incentive for companies to use recycled content.
Public awareness: Lack of awareness among consumers regarding appropriate plastic waste segregation and recycling hinders effective collection.
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