You only have to look in the fridge or pantry to see how much plastic we use on a daily basis. In fact, it is practically impossible to go to the supermarket to do the shopping without bringing home a large amount of packaging. At Plásticos Alser, pioneers in the recycling of this material in Spain, we want to make them visible and point out the importance of reusing them.
The presence of plastic in waste
Packaging accounts for the majority of waste generated by humans. Fortunately, thanks to awareness campaigns over the last 25 years, recycling rates have become quite high. In fact, today, almost 80% of the plastic we use on a daily basis is recycled.
The plastic used for such packaging comes mainly from petroleum. It is true that, after undergoing a polymerisation or polycondensation process, it is mixed with cellulose, salt and other natural elements to achieve its final finish. But that does not mean that it is not considered a very polluting material and that it takes many years to biodegrade. Fortunately, the application of new recycling technologies is significantly reducing its impact on the environment.
Rubbish bags and shopping bags are the spearhead of plastic use today. A material that became incredibly popular in the second half of the 20th century. You can also find it in the packaging of food, drinks and cleaning products. Even in soaps and shampoos, in the buckets and shovels that children use to play with sand on the beach or on any outdoor table.
Recycle plastic and reduce its consumption
Obviously, this excessive use has meant that, for a long time, plastic has accumulated in huge quantities in landfills and oceans. Fortunately, the processes of the circular economy have led to an increase in recycling policies. The idea is to give new uses and useful lives to this material without generating pollutants derived from the extraction of the raw material, which is oil.
The presence of plastic in industry is also very high. In fact, recycling in industry is as important as in households in the country. The awareness of companies and the inspections carried out by the authorities have contributed to the fact that, nowadays, the vast majority of companies comply with the objectives set at European level. At Alser we manufacture products such as high-impact polystyrene or high-fluidity polypropylene flake, among other recycled plastic products.
In short, plastic is a resource that has made our lives easier for a long time. However, its polluting nature makes its recycling absolutely essential if we want to curb the greenhouse effect and climate change. At Plásticos Alser, through the implementation of innovative systems and technologies, we are doing our bit to make this happen.
