What are P/N of recycling plastics on the environment? P/N effect with governemnt with recycling.?

Question

How does recycling plastics play a role and affect both of these categories.

Answer 1

plastic cannot be recycled over and over again.  the long chain molecule shortens each time, creating a lower grade of plastic.  it doesn't take many recycles to reduce the plastic to a useless mess.

recycling is a process which requires fuel to heat the plastic to melting point - hence uses resources and harms the environment.

fumes may also be produced by this process.

a market must be found for the recycled product.  as it is low grade and of limited use, it may require transporting further afield than is desirable.

before it can be recycled, it must be cleaned - removing any sticky labels.  often this can only be done by solvents or detergents that are not environmentally friendly.

equipment and organisations capable of recycling plastics are still limited - it may often be necessary to transport the waste plastic over great distances.

on the positive side:

small community recycle groups are able to recycle plastic on a very small scale by only heating the plastic enough to soften it - not to melting point.  the plastic can then be squashed into a sheet by a press, thus maintaining it's structural integrity.  this prevents it's lifespan becoming shortened.  the process is relatively low tech, and most communities could do it, so potentially the transportation distance for the raw waste can be shortened.  very little fumes (non toxic)produced this way, and less fuel is required to provide the heat.  unfortunately, not all plastic can be recycled in this way - but a significant amount can be.

From a government point of view - it is an expensive process that has little use - the finished product has lower value than the cost of the process, but it does divert a lot of plastic away from the waste stream, and saves valuable landfill space.  plastic bottles and bags contribute an enormous bulk to our waste stream, and reducing this will contribute greatly to "recycling targets"