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Why Traditional Plastic Recycling Methods Aren’t Enough

03/28/2023

Plastic waste is a major environmental problem that demands an urgent solution. As our planet becomes more polluted with plastic waste, we must rethink our current recycling strategies. While traditional solutions mitigate the problem, they are not enough to solve it. 

In this post, we will explore the limitations of current plastic recycling methods and innovative solutions to move towards a more sustainable future.

 

Why Is Plastic Recycling Important?

Plastic recycling is essential in mitigating the negative impact of plastic waste on the environment and society, so it is important for several reasons.

 

Reducing the Amount of Plastic Waste Generated

The plastic waste crisis is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects the entire planet. 

According to the UN, about 300 million tons of plastic are produced yearly, less than 10% is recycled, and much of it ends up in landfills, oceans, and other natural environments, where it can take hundreds of years to break down. 

The scale of the plastic waste crisis is staggering. It is estimated that there are 171 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean, which is expected to triple by 2040, according to the BBC.

This waste is not only unsightly and detrimental to wildlife, but it also releases harmful greenhouse gasses as it decomposes, contributing to global warming.

By recycling plastic, we can divert plastic waste from landfills, incinerators, and the environment, reducing the negative impact of plastic waste on our planet.

 

Conserving Resources

Plastic products are made from non-renewable fossil fuels, and the production of new plastic requires a significant amount of energy and resources. By recycling plastic, we can reduce the demand for virgin materials, conserving resources.

 

Developing a Circular Economy Model

A circular economy is an economic model that aims to minimize waste and maximize the use of resources. In a circular economy, materials are reused, recycled, or repurposed rather than discarded after a single use. 

By effectively recycling plastic, we can create a closed-loop system where plastic waste is transformed into new products, reducing the need for virgin materials.

 

Creating a More Equitable Society

In addition to the environmental impact of plastic pollution, it’s also important to consider the social effects. Plastic waste can harm local communities by polluting their water sources and disrupting their way of life. 

Furthermore, low-income communities are often disproportionately affected by plastic pollution, as they may live closer to landfills or incineration plants. 

By reducing plastic waste through recycling, we can help mitigate these negative social effects and create a more equitable society for all.

 

Limitations of Plastic Recycling Methods

Challenges in plastic recycling

The history of plastic recycling dates back to the 1970s when the first plastic recycling program aimed at plastic bottles was introduced in the US. Over time, plastic recycling has become increasingly popular, and several countries have initiated programs. 

However, the sheer quantity of plastic types and production levels has drastically increased over the years, and basic recycling methods have failed to keep up with this production increase

The main limitation of mechanical recycling is that it can only be done a limited number of times before the plastic degrades and loses its quality. This means that recycled products made from mechanically recycled plastic are often of lower quality than products made from virgin materials

Moreover, these methods can only process limited plastic waste. This means that much plastic waste is still discarded in landfills or incinerated, contributing to the ever-increasing plastic pollution crisis.

While traditional mechanical plastic recycling methods have other vital limitations, chemical recycling methods, such as pyrolysis and gasification, have gained attention as potential solutions. These methods use high temperatures and chemicals to break down plastic waste into its constituent parts, which can be used to create new products.

Still, they have significant challenges. These methods can only be applied to some types of waste classified as traditionally recyclable plastics, and they require thorough cleaning, sorting, and drying of plastic waste. Pre-treatment of waste is not only costly but also time-consuming, resulting in inefficient and inadequate recycling rates.

Due to these limitations, it is crucial to find innovative and sustainable methods that can efficiently manage plastic waste and minimize the environmental and social impacts of plastic pollution.

 

The Solution: Thermal Conversion Process

A revolutionary solution to the plastic pollution

SynPet’s unique technology, the Thermal Conversion Process (TCP™), represents a major leap forward in the field of waste management, offering a comprehensive solution to the plastic recycling crisis and other environmental challenges. 

Unlike traditional waste recycling methods, TCP™ can recycle all carbon-containing waste, regardless of whether it is organic or petroleum-based, into valuable and sustainable materials

Unlike pyrolysis or gasification, which can only process certain types of plastic, TCP™ can recycle all waste, including those considered impossible to recycle

Additionally, TCP™ does not require waste to be cleaned, separated, or dried since it uses water as a reagent, which makes it significantly more cost-effective and efficient than other methods. 

In addition, TCP™ offers a circular economy model that effectively closes the loop on plastic waste

  • The process begins with recycling all waste plastics into circular naphtha.
  • The circular naphtha is then processed by petrochemical companies to create new plastic materials
  • Packaging companies use plastic produced to create brand-new, high-quality packaging that meets the needs of the consumer goods industry. 
  • Consumer goods companies then use this packaging as part of their manufacturing processes to produce new products. 
  • Once the packaging has served its purpose, it is sent back to SynPet recycling facilities to be converted into circular naphtha, closing the loop. 

 

This model allows for a zero-waste approach to plastic waste management, reducing the need for virgin plastics and promoting the reuse of plastic materials.

 

Revolutionary vs Traditional: A Side-by-Side Comparison

This table highlights the key differences between these approaches to better understand the advantages of the Thermal Conversion Process (TCP™) over traditional plastic recycling methods. 

 

 

Thermal Conversion Process (TCP™)

Traditional Technologies

Type of Waste 

All carbon-containing waste without exception

Limited types of plastic and mixed waste

Pre-Treatment 

Any waste can be added to the feedstock without pre-treatment

Waste needs to be very clean, segregated, or completely dried

Energy Efficiency

Highly energy-efficient, with a small carbon footprint

Energy-intensive, with a large carbon footprint

Output

High-quality circular naphtha

Low-quality recycled plastic

Circular Model

Creates a circular economy model by efficiently recycling waste plastics into circular naphtha

Do not typically create a circular economy model

 

Conclusion

The plastic waste crisis can feel overwhelming, like a storm cloud looming overhead. But now, we have a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds. 

By supporting and implementing innovations in plastic recycling, we can step towards a future where plastic waste is no longer a crisis but a resource for sustainable development.