by Plastics Revolution and the Rising Pollution
Ever since plastics became mainstream in packaging and consumer goods since the 1950s, its production and usage has been rising exponentially. From less than 2 million tonnes in 1950, global plastic production reached over 380 million tonnes in 2015. However, most of this plastic ends up in landfills or leaks into the environment as plastic pollution. Less than 9% of all plastics produced have been recycled with the rest accumulating in the environment causing immense harm. The rise of single-use plastics has further aggravated the plastic pollution crisis.
Need for Plastic Recycling
With plastic pollution emerging as one of the gravest environmental threats, recycling plastics has become imperative to achieve sustainability. Recycling is the process of reprocessing used plastics and materials into new products to prevent waste and reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials. It helps in conserving natural resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by lowering energy usage in plastic production. Recycling also prevents plastic pollution from entering the environment and harming wildlife and ecosystems. Sustainable plastic recycling can thus play a major role in tackling the plastic pollution crisis and transitioning to a circular economy model.
Challenges in Plastic Recycling
While plastic recycling offers immense environmental benefits, it also faces several challenges that have hindered its effectiveness and scale. One key issue is the complexity in plastic types which makes separation and sorting difficult. Most plastics need to be cleaned and sorted by resin type before recycling. Another challenge is the low commodity prices of Recycled Plastic that makes it less profitable for companies compared to producing virgin plastics. Contamination of recycled plastics during collection and use of mixed plastic in products also limits recyclability. Consumer confusion over recycling symbols and lack of proper collection infrastructure are other hindrances. Addressing these challenges through coordinated policy efforts is necessary to boost plastic recycling rates globally.
Technological Advances for Enhanced Recycling
Emerging technologies are playing a significant role in tackling some of the pressing challenges facing plastic recycling. Advanced sorting facilities using near-infrared and X-ray techniques are helping more efficiently separate different plastic types during recycling. Developments in plastic identification technologies like reactive tags are also helping better sorting. New detection techniques can identify even minute contamination levels in recycled plastics. Chemical recycling technologies are providing solutions to break down mixed plastics into their constituent hydrocarbons and monomers. These can be further processed into new plastics and other petrochemical products. Overall, technological innovations are enhancing the technical and economic feasibility of plastic recycling. Their widespread adoption supported by conducive policies can push global recycling rates higher.
Role of Policy and Extended Producer Responsibility
Strong policy push and collaboration across stakeholders is essential to mainstream plastic recycling effectively on a large scale. Regulatory measures like landfill bans on certain plastics and minimum recycled content mandates are nudging higher plastic waste collection and utilization rates. Evolving extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes are also playing a catalytic role. Under EPR, producers and brands are made responsible for managing plastic waste generated from products placed on the market. They need to set up take-back and recycling infrastructures withtargets to process a certain percentage of post-consumer plastic waste annually. Such initiatives are helping establish well-organized waste management systems and driving increased recyclability of plastic products and packaging through eco-design. Monitoring and standard setting by regulatory bodies further helps maintain quality standards for recycled plastics.
Advancing the Circular Economy through Sustainable Recycling
Plastic recycling aids in transitioning from the current linear ‘take-make-waste’ model to a more sustainable circular economy framework. In a circular economy, plastic products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible through reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling. This eliminates waste and reliance on fresh resources. Creating viable markets for recycled plastics through procurement preferences and incentives has a positive multiplier effect on plastic collection and recycling rates. When recycled plastics are fed back into new product manufacturing as substitutes for virgin materials, it leads to decreased fossil resource extraction and associated emissions. With collaborative efforts across industries, waste management players and policymakers, plastic recycling can help advance the ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’ circular economy principles and make our economies more resilient and regenerative.
Enhanced plastic recycling powered by policy push, business innovation and technological advancements offers one of the most effective solutions in the fight against the plastic pollution crisis. Its economic, environmental and societal benefits make recycling plastics an imperative for transitioning to a low carbon and truly sustainable future. With coordinated global action and circular solutions to manage plastic throughout its lifecycle, the rising tide of plastic pollution can be stemmed while meeting material needs through responsible production and waste management practices. Plastic recycling thus remains one of our most viable tools to achieve harmony between development and ecosystem protection for present and future generations.
*Note:
1.Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2.We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
About Author - Money Singh
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. LinkedIn Profile
