A guide to recycling plastic effectively

Plastic is an integral part of our modern lives, offering excellent convenience and durability in a vast array of applications. From the essential packaging that keeps our food fresh and safe, to the durable materials used in construction and healthcare, plastic’s versatility is truly remarkable.

However, despite these numerous benefits, the very properties that make plastic so useful, its durability and slow degradation, contribute to its significant persistence in the environment, posing a growing ecological challenge.

This is why understanding the importance and multifaceted benefits of plastic recycling is absolutely crucial for forging a more sustainable future. At Riverdale Recycling, we firmly believe in the power of responsible waste management, and that effectively recycling plastic stands as a cornerstone of this commitment.

Why is it important that we recycle plastic?

The necessity of plastic recycling stems from several critical environmental and resource-related factors. Here we will explore some of the key reasons why recycling plastic is so important.

Reduction of energy consumption

Manufacturing new plastic from raw materials is an energy-intensive process. Recycling plastic significantly reduces the energy required for production, as the existing material is repurposed rather than starting from scratch. This conservation of energy helps lower our overall carbon footprint and reduces the strain on our energy infrastructure.

Preserving fossil fuels

Virgin plastic production relies heavily on fossil fuels like oil and natural gas. By recycling plastic, we decrease our dependence on these finite resources, helping to conserve them for future generations and reduce the environmental impact associated with their extraction and processing, which can include habitat destruction and pollution.

Lowering emissions

The production of new plastic releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Recycling plastic requires less energy, leading to a substantial reduction in these harmful emissions. By choosing to recycle, we actively contribute to cleaner air and a healthier planet for ourselves and future generations.

Minimising solid waste going to landfill

Plastic is notoriously slow to degrade in landfill sites, taking hundreds, if not thousands, of years to break down. This leads to a continuous accumulation of waste, taking up valuable land and potentially leaching harmful chemicals into the soil and groundwater. Recycling diverts plastic away from landfills, reducing this environmental burden.

Protecting wildlife and ecosystems

Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to wildlife, both on land and in our oceans. Animals can ingest plastic debris, mistaking it for food, leading to starvation and internal injuries.

They can also become entangled in plastic waste, causing suffocation or restricting their movement.

By recycling plastic, we reduce the amount of plastic entering the environment, helping to safeguard vulnerable ecosystems and the creatures that inhabit them.

How is plastic recycled?

The journey of a discarded plastic item to a new product involves a systematic recycling process. Here, we will explore the two-step process that sees plastic go from being discarded waste to new products.

Stage 1: Collection and sorting

The initial stage focuses on preparing the collected plastic for reprocessing. This begins with sorting by polymer type, a largely automated process that ensures compatibility for later melting.
Following the automated sort, a critical manual inspection takes place to meticulously remove any remaining contaminants, such as non-plastic items, labels, and residual materials. Once sorted and thoroughly cleaned, the plastic is ready for its physical transformation.

Stage 2: Forming new products

The second stage involves converting the prepared plastic into a usable form for manufacturing new items. Cleaned plastic can be processed in one of two primary ways at this point. It is either shredded into flakes, which increases its surface area for more efficient melting, or it can be directly melt processed.

Regardless of whether it’s in flake or molten form, the plastic is ultimately transformed into small, uniform pellets. These pellets then become the raw material that manufacturers can use to mould and create a wide array of new plastic products, giving discarded plastic a second life.