There are lots of different types of plastics, meaning there needs to be lots of different types of plastic recycling solutions. This can be quite the headache for consumers and businesses, as we try to work together to create a more circular economy and reduce the demand for single use plastics.
Why are plastics a problem?
There are a whole host of problems with the production, use, and disposal of plastics. Firstly, plastics require lots of chemicals to manufacture, and rely on gas, oil, and sometimes even coal to produce. While it’s a reasonably low-cost material to make, the environmental impact is high.
We use plastic because it completely changed our lives. It’s a versatile, convenient, and cheap material that really defines the modern era. Look around you now, plastic will be everywhere. In your computer casing, in that tea bag you’ve just made a cuppa with, and even the clothes you’re wearing. Many unexpected items use plastic. How can you make sustainable choices when buying and disposing of goods?
Disposal of plastic is a big problem for the environment. Often, it’s burned in incinerators, which contributes to air pollution. Alternatively, it is sent to landfill, where it can remain intact for centuries. Sure, it ‘breaks down’ but is far from being bio-degradable or compostable. It breaks into smaller pieces and into micro plastics, that bleed into our ecosystems.
We’re sure you’ve heard about the overwhelming amount of plastic in our oceans. You’ll have seen images of marine animals trapped in plastic waste or dead after consuming too much in their search for food. If nothing is done, by 2050, it’s estimated that the mass of plastic in the world’s ocean will exceed the mass of all the fish.
Through our seas, rivers, and even the air, plastics also enter the food chain. A study by the World Wildlife Fund carried out by the University of Newcastle in Australia suggests humans eat the equivalent of a debit card of plastic every week. We’ll just let that sink in for a moment…
So, you ask, what can be done?
Types of plastic recycling
We know how damaging plastics are to the continuing health of all life on this planet. Some of the greatest minds are hard at work coming up with solutions to help, including a wide variety of recycling options. Of course, moving away from our dependence on plastic is the ultimate goal, but while we work on that, different types of plastic recycling can help prevent the problem from worsening.
There are many different types of plastic recycling that businesses can use. Many of our solutions help companies turn plastic waste into a more sustainable source of raw material. This prevents plastics from entering the environment and saves on material costs too… a double win!
PET Plastics
PET plastics are some of the most common, and thankfully, some of the easiest to recycle. It’s a soft but durable plastic. You’ll find it in lots of packaging and drinks bottles. It can be repurposed into insulation fibres, carpets, other packaging, and even clothing.
HDPE and LDPE plastics
HDPE and LDPE are also incredibly common types of plastics. Both can be recycled and reused so they avoid being burned or sent to landfill. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) plastics are things like shopping bags, clear film packaging and shrink wrap. They can become bin liners, floor tiles, and plastic lumber.
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastics, used for milk and cleaning bottles and toys, is rigid, opaque, and a big driver of plastic pollution. Luckily, it can also be recycled into many new products, including outdoor furniture and playground equipment.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is all over your kitchen thanks to its heat resistant qualities! It’s in your food containers, appliances, and storage containers. But, when properly segregated from other plastics, it can be transformed into a wide range of long-lasting products, including watering cans, mixing bowls, and ice scrapers.
Polystyrene
Another type of plastic that is used all over the world is polystyrene. It’s lightweight, cheap, and versatile. So, polystyrene is common in single use items like take-away cups and protective packaging.
Polystyrene is a tricky plastic to recycle and typically has high costs associated. But, the great minds at Agecko have created a polystyrene recycling solution that significantly cuts a company’s carbon footprint and waste costs.
PVC and vinyl
PVC windows and door frames, wire insulation and guttering are all very common. Correctly handled, this plastic waste is transformed into traffic cones, pipes and credit cards. Diverting PVC waste from landfill is vital for the health of our planet, and businesses can save on this material’s high disposal costs.
Talk to us about plastic recycling
If your business has a lot of plastic waste that you want to manage, get in touch. The team at Agecko have lots of innovative solutions for transforming business waste, reducing environmental impact and making large cost savings. We help other companies send zero waste to landfill and support the health of our environment.
