Plastic recycling helps reduce the waste upon the environment, and the importance of it is shown through the harms of plastic, which is something that one who is interested in the industry must keep in mind.
First off, regardless of recycling, plastic is still near impossible to break down, and this means that without a constant flow of recycling, these materials can enter the environment and negatively affect wildlife and endangered species.
There are also many chemicals within plastics that can also cause difficulties in the environment, as well as recycling. A chemical called “PVC contains phthalates and heavy metals, and creates dioxins when it burns.”[1]
There are other chemicals as well that can cause health issues and damage to the environment. Some plastics “contain Bisphenol-A (BPA), which has been identified as a chemical that disrupts hormones.”[2]
A major issue is that “plastics can contain thousands of possible additives, and manufacturers are not required to disclose what their recipes are. Any plastic can leach, depending on the conditions (light, heat) and what additives it includes”.[3]
Even though plastic recycling is largely positive, there are many things within it that one must be wary about before venturing into the industry. Chemicals and additives are prominent in plastic, and must be dealt with accordingly, even within the context of plastic recycling.
Written by: Shaun Kular
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