Plastic recycling
Description (definition)
Plastic recycling refers to the process of reusing plastic waste to manufacture new products or recover raw materials. It contributes to the reduction of waste, the conservation of natural resources and the reduction of environmental pollution. There are different types of plastic recycling, including mechanical recycling, chemical recycling and energy recovery.
Example
A typical example is the recycling of PET bottles, which are collected after use, cleaned and processed into granulate. This granulate serves as a raw material for new bottles, textiles or packaging.
What methods of plastic recycling are there?
– Mechanical recycling: Plastic waste is shredded, cleaned and processed into granulate.
– Chemical recycling: Plastics are broken down into their chemical base materials, which can be used for new products.
– Energy recovery: Plastics are incinerated to generate energy, but without recovering the material.
Which plastics can be recycled?
Many plastics such as PET, HDPE, PP and PS can be recycled, although recycling rates vary depending on the material and infrastructure. Thermoplastics are particularly suitable, while thermosets and composites are more difficult to recycle.
What are the advantages of plastic recycling?
Plastic recycling makes a significant contribution to conserving natural resources, as fewer raw materials such as crude oil are required. It also reduces the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or in the environment, thereby lowering the environmental impact. Recycled plastics find new uses, for example in packaging, construction products or textiles, thus promoting a sustainable circular economy.