Recycling plastic: why is it so important?

Plastic is a versatile, durable, and highly affordable material found in a vast array of products across various industrial sectors. However, as its consumption has grown, so too has its environmental impact. This makes it more important than ever to understand the significance of recycling plastic.

In this post, we explain why recycling plastic is crucial for the future of our planet and how you can contribute to the effort.

What is the purpose of recycling plastic, and why should we do it?

Some campaigns advocate for the complete elimination of plastic. However, it is important to understand why it is chosen over other materials for certain applications. “The reasons lie in its advantages: plastic is very lightweight, which reduces the weight during transport and, consequently, lowers CO2 emissions.” Furthermore, it is inexpensive and versatile, allowing it to be used in countless ways. Moreover—contrary to popular belief—plastic is 100% recyclable, provided it is manufactured in a pure form.

In reality, the reason this material is considered harmful to the environment is its extreme durability; it can take anywhere from 100 to 1,000 years to decompose. This is precisely why recycling plastic is so vital. Additionally, by recycling, we consume fewer raw materials and natural resources.

Moreover, recycling plastic lowers energy consumption—which, in turn, reduces CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere. To give you an idea, it is estimated that for every kilogram of plastic recycled, 1.5 kilograms of CO2 emissions are avoided—a very positive contribution to reducing the greenhouse effect.

Finally, it is worth noting that the European Commission has launched a strategy for the management of plastic waste. The goal is for all plastic packaging to be recyclable by 2030. Achieving this will require improving and expanding recycling facilities, as well as collection and sorting systems—a process that could create up to 200,000 new jobs.

Which plastics can be recycled?

Most bottles, plates, cups, and containers are made from recyclable plastic. By placing them in the yellow recycling bin, you can give them a second life. “The following types of plastic can be recycled:

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)

PET is one of the most widely used plastics; it is commonly found in water bottles and food packaging.” Furthermore, it is the easiest type of plastic to recycle and convert into new bottles.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

This is a denser, more rigid material typically used for containers for dairy products, juices, or shampoo. Its durability and resistance to moisture make it an ideal material—once recycled—for manufacturing construction plastics or trash cans.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

PVC is a rigid, hard, and highly versatile type of plastic. It is used to create a wide range of products, including shampoo and detergent bottles, pipes, and packaging for non-food items. The downside is that it is one of the least recyclable types of plastic, due to the large quantity of additives it contains.

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)

It is flexible, elastic, and impermeable to vapor, which is why it is widely used to make food bags, trash bags, or clear plastic wrap. When this plastic is recycled, it can be used, for example, to manufacture new bags.

Polypropylene (PP)

This material, which is highly resistant to pressure, is primarily used in the automotive industry to manufacture airtight caps and lids, though it can also be used to make food containers, cooking bags, or kitchenware such as disposable plates and cutlery. It is commonly recycled to produce brooms, brushes, and car battery casings.

Polystyrene (PS)

Very easy to mold, it is found in many electronic components, disposable cups, and packaging materials. It can be recycled to make plastic cutlery, license plate frames, and rulers.

For food safety reasons, HDPE, PVC, PP, and PS cannot be recycled into new food containers. Furthermore, in Spain, PET can only be reused for water and soft drink bottles, provided that the original container consists of at least 50% non-recycled plastic.

How can we recycle plastics?

As with any other material—such as glass, paper, or cardboard—the plastic recycling process involves several stages to give the material a new life and transform it into a new product.

Stages of plastic recycling

In total, plastic must go through four distinct processes to be recycled. “These are:

• Depositing containers into the recycling bin.” The first step in recycling plastic requires significant cooperation from both the public and businesses. Therefore, it is important to continue raising awareness about the necessity of placing each type of waste into its designated bin—in the case of plastic, the yellow bin.
• Collection and transport to the sorting facility. The containers that were previously placed in the collection bins are transported to a facility, where they are sorted and classified by color.
• Shredding and washing. Once sorted, the containers are shredded and washed to remove any impurities, such as paper labels. They are then dried, spun (centrifuged), and homogenized to achieve a uniform color and texture.
• Creation of a new product. The plastic is given a new shape and color, depending on the intended use and requirements. Finally, it must undergo quality control checks before it can be put to use.

Related reading: How is plastic recycled? and Plastic Waste Management: Is Recycling Profitable?.