What kind of plastics cannot be recycled? and what makes them non-recyclable?
Plastic bags, plastic films wrapping magazines, packaging or water bottles, jars of yogurt or cream or trays are not recyclable. They are indeed too light and do not contain enough material and recycling is not profitable.
Regards
...to my understanding any plastic can be recycled or converted into another plastic. However, some technical solutions or approaches are not profitable (=> Technology vs. Economy). BR Nils
There are always trade-offs when it comes to environmental management, sustainability and economic interest. It is therefore a case of commitment and interest rather than whether it can be done.
Unfortunately, there are still many types of plastic products that are either limited or not recycled at all. These are mainly plastic packaging contaminated with organic waste and other waste that is difficult to remove or separate, fractionate. Plastic waste that has not been sorted, segregated and mixed with other waste, including food waste, greasy waste and waste contaminated with toxic substances, is not recycled. Besides, plastic medical waste is not recyclable, including a significant part of protective masks, etc. Unfortunately, the general scale of waste segregation and recycling of plastic waste is still too small and the scale of environmental pollution with plastic continues to grow. It is necessary to urgently develop eco-innovations in materials, including the creation of biodegradable substitutes for plastic used in various types of packaging and the implementation of these new solutions on an industrial scale. Pro-ecological technologies for the production of biodegradable plastic substitutes from certain types of agricultural crops already exist, but are not used in business on a larger scale.
Best wishes,
Dariusz Prokopowicz
Not all plastics are recyclable in a factory as it recycling is not profitable.
As I know, anything made of plastics in industry could get back to its initial state (first matter). Because of a question of profitability for economy, that's why I guess they tell us that there are some types not recycable. If I am wrong, please someone gives me a good answer.
Cheers
Plastics like clothes hangers, grocery bags, and toys aren't always recyclable in your curbside bin. Other things that aren't recyclable include Styrofoam, bubble wrap, dishes, and electronic cords.
https://www.insider.com/things-that-dont-belong-in-recycling-2018-4
In principle, almost all plastic can be recycled. However, in practice, there are a variety of different barriers that can undermine this process. Unfortunately, it does not always make environmental, economic, or technical sense to do so.
Examples of non-recyclable plastics include bioplastics, composite plastic, plastic-coated wrapping paper and polycarbonate. Well known non-recyclable plastics include cling film and blister packaging.Sep 30, 2020
https://www.slrecyclingltd.co.uk › w...
What Plastics Can and Cannot be Recycled?
However, thermoset plastics “contain polymers that cross-link to form an irreversible chemical bond,” meaning that no matter how much heat you apply, they cannot be remelted into new material and hence, non-recyclable. “while so many plastic products are disposable, plastic lasts forever in the environment.Apr 4, 2018
https://blog.nationalgeographic.org › ...
7 Things You Didn't Know About Plastic (and Recycling)
https://www.slrecyclingltd.co.uk/what-plastics-can-and-cannot-be-recycled/,kindly check this link.
https://www.almanac.com/which-plastics-are-recyclable-number,this link may be useful.
Dear Nii Nelson . Practically not all plastic can be recycled. See the following useful RG links: https://www.plasticsforchange.org/blog/which-plastic-can-be-recycled#:~:text=THE%20BARRIERS%20TO%20RECYCLING,technical%20sense%20to%20do%20so.
Article Advances and approaches for chemical recycling of plastic waste
Kindly see also the following useful RG links: Article Plastics Recycling: Challenges and Opportunities
https://journals.openedition.org/factsreports/5102
Also check please the following useful RG links: Chapter Recycled/Waste Plastic
Article Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made
The following RG links are also very useful: Article Household plastic waste habits and attitudes: A pilot study ...
http://journal.upgris.ac.id/index.php/asset/article/view/6211
Visit kindly the following useful RG links: Article A review on European Union’s strategy for plastics in a circ...
https://www.sciencegate.app/keyword/3492985
The difference in the recyclability of plastic types can be down to how they are made; thermoset plastics contain polymers that form irreversible chemical bonds and cannot be recycled, whereas thermoplastics can be re-melted and re-molded.
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