There is no escaping plastic in the 21st century. So many items in our daily lives are made of plastic. In the world of environmentalism and recycling, plastic is a hot topic. There is so much about the material that we don’t know and so much about its life cycle that still needs uncovering.
We took a deep dive into the world of plastic and followed the life of one of the most commonly used plastic items in the world: the water bottle. From creation to rebirth, here is what the life of a plastic bottle looks like and how we can do our part to recycle it properly.
Plastic: What is it Made of?
Plastic is made up of polymers created from ethane and propane. These materials are derived from refined natural gasses, plants, or oil. They are heated up to create monomers, which are then mixed with other monomers and treated to become plastic pellets. Plastic manufacturers then ship these products around the world to factories where they are melted and molded into the desired shape.
What is important to note is that not all plastics are the same. Some can be recycled, while others cannot. Regarding recyclability, you can sort plastics into two categories: thermoplastics and thermoset plastics.
Thermoplastics are widely recyclable. They can be remelted to create new products, so they can live past just being a bottle once. These are more environmentally friendly materials than their counterpart thermoset plastics.
Thermoset plastics are made of polymers treated so that the chemical bond created to make the plastic cannot be undone. In other words, you cannot recycle thermoset plastics. There is currently no process to reverse the chemical bonding in the material, so they cannot be re-molded into a new item, taking on a new life. These plastics end up in landfills, where they will take generations to decompose.
Recycling: How Does it Work?
If the plastic used to make the bottle was a thermoset plastic, it would make it to the recycling plant but promptly be sorted out and sent to a landfill to decompose. The good news is that most plastic water bottle makers use PET plastics, which are recyclable and a highly valuable plastic for recycling at that.
Plastic manufacturers can melt down these plastics and mold them into new bottles using a plastic bottle shredder and a plastic waste recycling machine. These pieces of equipment ensure that companies can process plastics for reuse. In 2018, nearly 30% of PET bottles were recycled to be made into new materials, giving each of those plastic bottles the chance at a new life. With 70% still unrecycled, there is room for improvement and growth in plastic recycling.
Profitable plastic recycling requires that plastic items be clean and in good condition. Items that still have food in them are often thrown away when they reach recycling plants. The reality is that recycled plastic needs to be able to compete with new materials in the market, so only the best-quality plastics make it to the next stage of life in the form of a new product.
While it takes around 75% less energy to make a plastic bottle from recycled materials than from new ones, the process weakens the plastic. The bonds that secure the polymers together shorten. After many instances of re-heating and re-molding, plastic can no longer hold up and has to be thrown away. While recycling any plastic is essential, you should be aware that plastic, unlike materials such as glass, cannot be recycled infinitely.
Plastic Recycling: What Can I Do?
If you want to help Mother Earth and keep plastic bottles and other products out of landfills, there are a few things that you can do today to change the game. Firstly, it is quick and easy to rinse out and clean all the plastic items you have before tossing them in the recycling bin. This ensures they are heading into the recycling plant in the best possible condition.
If you work in an industry that experiences a large amount of plastic waste, finding a plastic recycling machine manufacturer may be a wise investment. Investing in a plastic shredder can help your business process waste internally, boost your eco-friendly image, and take part in the life cycle of plastic. The processed plastics can be used again in various ways or sold off to the highest bidder, providing your business with a little extra income. Plus, you will be doing a huge favor for the environment and keeping plastic out of landfills.
Recyclers, you are the heroes of this story. Processing plastic waste sustainably is crucial to protecting our environment. The life cycle of a plastic bottle, or any recyclable plastic product, can continue because of you. Investing in high-quality industrial recycling equipment is key to recycling plastic and running an efficient business. It can boost your business’s productivity, efficiency, and revenue. If you are ready to upgrade your plastic grinder machine or other plastic recycling equipment, we can help you choose the best machinery for your recycling line.
