The world is going through a plastic pollution crisis that is affecting not only the environment but the health of humans and all animals as well. From burning plastic causing severe health problems in people to marine creatures turning up dead and birds being found with bellies full of plastic, the situation is critical. In Europe alone, 60 million tons of plastics are produced, but only 30% of them are recycled. Worldwide, 79% of all the plastic waste that’s been generated has ended up as litter in the natural environment or a landfill like a stain on the planet.
People are starting to become more aware of the problems caused by plastic, and societies are planning out how to transition to a more circular economy where materials, like plastics, are reused at the end of their life. For this, new recycling technologies will play an important role. A few are being tested now that can take used plastic items and give them more than just a second life – they’re making the material as good as new. Things such as single-use food packaging, mattress foam, and even fiber-reinforced car parts can be broken down into the building blocks of plastic, which is then used to create something new.
Dr. Garcia Armingol, who is involved in the project, said:
It’s challenging to recycle plastic because the packaging is often made up of different types of plastic. For example, some foods are packaged in a container with a protective film and a lid, all of which are made from various plastics. To recycle the package, the film, lid, and container have to be separated. The process is costly and time-consuming. These are the sort of items that end up in the landfill.Read more…
