4 Challenges for Plastic Recycling and Their Solutions

4 Challenges for Plastic Recycling and Their Solutions

It is widely acknowledged that plastic recycling is an important component that can provide numerous benefits, particularly in terms of environmental protection. But are you aware of the difficulties encountered during the plastic recycling process?

Consider the following challenges that the recycling industry faces.

1. Limited Availability of High-Quality Materials – A typical waste stream contains seven different types of plastic, each with a unique degradation behaviour. Due to a lack of such information, manufacturers combine all of the compounds in the manufacturing process. As a result, recycling becomes difficult, resulting in incineration, which is a significant waste of valuable resources.
2. Inadequate waste segregation at the source – Hand sorting waste is the oldest and simplest method of separating plastic. In developing countries such as India, each type of plastic must be manually separated before recycling can take place. As a result, the sorting process is inefficient and inconsistent.
3. Inadequate Technology – Recycling has advanced significantly in many countries. Nonetheless, many countries (particularly developing countries) lag behind in terms of technology. The lower the level of technology, the greater the impact on the recycling process.
4. Inadequate Industrial Experience – Workers face a variety of challenges as a result of insufficient industrial experience in plastic waste recycling. The new equipment and ambiguous expertise transform the work into a complex system.

What Are the Solutions for Effective Plastic Recycling? 

In order to effectively close the loop on plastic waste and production, here are the solutions to keep in mind: 

1. Design for Effective Recycling 

Many products are made in ways that make the plastic content difficult to separate and thus recycle. Different plastic types, for example, may be combined, or other materials, such as glue and metal screws, may be bonded or fixed to the plastic. By taking these concerns into account during the design process, it becomes easier to disassemble products into waste fractions that do not contain residues of other materials. This necessitates specialized knowledge and material knowledge.

2. Appropriate Sorting

Plastic is a complex material with distinct properties that influence its color, shape, structure, and melting point. As a result, it is critical to sort plastic into different categories in order to keep it as pure as possible.

3. Collaboration

Real change necessitates collaboration. Not only between our customers and ourselves, but also between raw material suppliers, subcontractors, and manufacturers. This type of collaboration already exists in other industries, but not in the plastics industry.

To Sum Up 

At Go Rewise, our seasoned recycling experts are aiming to harness over two decades worth of experience into creating a better environment for the future generation. Our rPET products made using revolutionary technology and equipped with global certifications can effectively help close the plastic pollution loop and build a better future!