As is now well known even to the less informed
about ecology and recycling, plastic represents a serious problem for our environment.
It is for this reason that the issue of plastic recycling appears more topical
than ever.
The versatility of plastics has allowed humans to
create new products and improve existing ones, allowing both to optimize their
costs and, in some cases, to reduce their polluting impact. Plastic Scrap Recycling has increased exponentially since 1950
bringing with it the development of a throwaway culture characteristic of the
modern age.
The huge volume of plastic waste that infests the
seas, oceans and coasts is increasingly sadly visible to our own eyes. The
aquatic population and the entire ecosystem suffer enormously from the presence
of plastics and Microplastics floating in the water.
Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than
5mm (more precisely between 0.1micrometers and 5mm) deriving from a waste
composed of plastic which, over time, has undergone a degradation process due
to the movement of water, light or rubbing with other materials.
The damage caused by microplastics is currently
being studied, but the scientific community has already expressed its concern
about the phenomenon, since this particular form of waste has been found inside
the stomachs of fish, molluscs and non-aquatic animals. ; the same animals that
end up on our plates. No less alarming is the discovery of microplastics in
city water systems that supply drinking water or dispersed in the air we
breathe.
What can we do, in our own small way, to reduce the
impact that plastic has on our environment?
The answer is simple: consider alternative products
to plastic , avoid, where possible, buying products made of non-recyclable
plastics and dispose of them properly .
As we know, plastic is not a biodegradable
material: it can resist in the environment for hundreds of years and its
degradation produces substances and gases that are toxic to the environment. In
order for plastic recycling to take place correctly, it is advisable to pay
attention to the type of plastic we want to recycle. Not all types of plastic,
in fact, are recyclable.
Plastic
recycling: which types are recyclable?
The types of recyclable plastic can be identified
through a precise code on the product packaging:
- PET
- HDPE
- PVC
- LDPE
- PP
(polypropylene)
- PS
(polystyrene)
The one you will be most familiar with is
definitely PET. This is the type mainly used in the production of bottles which
easily lend themselves to the plastic recycling process.
In general, it is possible to recycle all
containers bearing the initials PE, PET and PVC, packaging, beverage bottles,
bottles such as shampoo and shower gel, detergents, food packaging, expanded
polystyrene packaging, plastic in film, etc.
What are the
types that are NOT suitable for plastic recycling?
All plastic products without the aforementioned
abbreviations, bearing the number 7 , and containers with residues of organic
materials (e.g. food) or hazardous substances (paints, glues, etc.) are not
recyclable .
When you dispose of containers or packaging, make
sure you have removed their contents (when they are not dangerous substances)
and press them to decrease their volume: this will eliminate the chemicals
contained within them and reduce disposal costs. Disposable plates and glasses
are also recyclable; therefore they must no longer be thrown away in the
unsorted collection but in special containers for the recycling of plastic.
In addition to plastic recycling and E-waste
recycling service we use, it is good to consider buying alternative
products (when possible) that are not composed of plastic.
A good alternative to the consumption of bottled
water, for example, is to buy a filter jug to consume tap water in complete
safety, or simply use glass bottles.
Alternatively, instead, to the famous and widely used
plastic film for food, opt for the purchase of the beeswax cloth, washable,
reusable and totally safe when in contact with our food.
In
conclusion…
Plastic has helped shape the world as we know it.
It is good that its use is not demonized and that the current irreplaceable
nature of this material in countless applications is taken into consideration.
It appears of fundamental importance, however, in the face of the serious
situation of environmental pollution for which we must hold ourselves responsible,
to broaden the horizons of the discourse by highlighting some main points:
- Strengthen
recycling plants: In India, waste treatment plants are insufficient and mostly
located in the North.
- Promote
the use of recycled plastics.
- Designing
100% recyclable packaging with available mechanical technologies.
- Studying
new recycling technologies.
- Promote
important environmental education campaigns aimed at raising awareness among
citizens and the new generations on environmental protection and proper waste
management.
- These
measures will allow us to reduce the environmental impact of plastic and to
build together a more sustainable future for our planet.
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