Plastic has a negative environmental impact, images of which we often see in the media. The material has great advantages, but its use comes with a high dose of responsibility. Fortunately, plastic recycling is booming and more and more people and brands are becoming aware of its importance.
Applications of recycled plastic
Recycled plastic is currently used in many industries to manufacture a variety of products. Plastic wood is one of its main applications. It is a stronger material than normal wood and is used to create street furniture, such as fences, traffic signs and benches.
PET is the most widely used recycled plastic. This material is used to obtain textile fibres, which are then used to make bags, carpets, ropes or garments. Plastics also form a large part of the components of electronic and electrical equipment. Unfortunately, at present these materials are hardly recycled, so it is essential to launch awareness campaigns to encourage manufacturers to promote recyclability and consumers to demand appliances made from recovered plastic.
The food and packaging industry is also keen to do its bit by introducing recycled polymers. The idea is to go for a responsible sourcing of raw materials, minimise the use of new plastic and reduce waste. That is why partnerships are needed to support an efficient collection and recycling infrastructure. This is the case, for example, with moulding companies that produce parts using the moulding method with recycled plastic pellets.
Other consumers of recycled plastic are the automotive industry, agriculture and civil engineering. In agriculture, it is used for greenhouse netting, planters, string and other products, while in the civil engineering sector it is used in waterproofing and insulation products such as roofing, foundations, floors, window frames, window profiles, etc.
The automotive industry, for its part, has incorporated recycled plastic to enhance the lightness, efficiency, aerodynamics and durability of its vehicles. In fact, it is often used in floor coverings, boots, bumpers, interior door panels or acoustic insulation sheets.
The main benefits of recycled plastic
In fact, there are many things that can be made from recycled plastic. Even water bottles, one of the main products of human consumption, can be recycled and reused to make new bottles. Fortunately, it has become commonplace to make cans, bottles, rubbish bags and grocery bags from recycled plastic.
That’s why it’s so important to separate your rubbish properly. Recycling plastic, in particular, has multiple economic, environmental and health benefits. It is a high-value waste, but it has become a serious problem that directly affects the environment. The possibilities offered by recycling are so great that it is well worth the effort. Even more so if it reduces pollution in a way that does not represent a risk to human health, represents a significant saving in natural resources and in energy production processes.
