You may be wondering why plastic is so commonly used and produced when we are constantly reminded of how awful it can be for the environment and how difficult it is to recycle certain varieties of plastic.
Well, there are two key driving causes behind the material’s widespread global adoption: it is inexpensive, and it has a wide range of beneficial qualities depending on the necessary properties.
Without a doubt, your company will come into contact with plastic on a daily or weekly basis, and it is your job as a business to recycle as much of it as possible.
This article will go through the different forms of plastic and how to effectively prepare your organization for successful plastic recycling.
How does plastic get recycled?
Plastics are generally recycled using the following methods:
Sorted according to polymer type (to separate them by plastic properties);
Cut into little pieces;
Thoroughly wash to eliminate any non-recyclable materials or pollutants;
Melted into a goo that can be shaped;
The material is then pelletised in order to transfer it to industries where it can be used to make new items.
Plastics of various types
There are seven different forms of plastic:
PETE stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate. This is utilized in the production of items like as water and soft drink bottles. This type of plastic is recyclable.
HDPE stands for High-Density Polyethylene. This is utilized in the manufacture of items such as milk containers and shampoo bottles. This type of plastic is recyclable.
V – Vinyl. This is used to produce items like detergent containers, clear food packaging, and piping. Unfortunately, this form of plastic is not recyclable.
LDPE stands for Low-Density Polyethylene. This is used to produce items such as cling film and plastic food wrapping. This can be recycled.
Polypropylene is abbreviated as PP. This is utilized in the production of items like as yogurt containers and ketchup bottles. This can be recycled.
PS stands for polystyrene. This is used to manufacture disposable plates and cups, as well as packing material. Unfortunately, this form of plastic is not recyclable.
OTHER – Other types of plastic. This category includes all other types of plastics, however they are unlikely to be recyclable.
Environmental implications
Plastic is a common and adaptable material that we utilize extensively. We may lessen our demand for new plastic by extending the life of plastics by reusing and recycling goods as many times as feasible, for example, by recycling used plastic bottles into new ones.
This means that we can:
save nonrenewable fossil fuels (oil);
lower the amount of energy consumed in the manufacture of new plastic;
limit the amount of solid waste disposed of in landfills;
decrease the amount of CO2 exhaled into the atmosphere.
Best business practices for recycling plastic waste
When it comes to plastic recycling, the easiest method to prepare your business is to use a waste management solution that includes a recycling pickup service. Choosing a reliable firm, such as us ensures that your plastic waste is transferred to the appropriate recycling facility rather than being disposed of in landfills.
Other items you should have in place include a designated plastic recycling or dry-mixed recycling bin, as well as staff training to ensure that your garbage is correctly segregated.