Michael James’ Post

🌍♻️ Ever wondered why some plastics can be recycled while others can't? This insightful article from The Conversation breaks down the complexities behind plastic recycling. The key lies in the chemical structure and properties of different types of plastics. While thermoplastics can be melted and remolded, thermosetting plastics don't have the same flexibility, making recycling more challenging. In addition, the mixed types and colorful plastics makes recycling hard and sometimes economically not worth it! Check out the full article to learn more about the science behind plastic recycling and why it's crucial for our planet. 🌱🌎 https://lnkd.in/dnUUAUGz #Sustainability #Recycling #PlasticPollution #Innovation #TileGreen

Have you ever noticed the numbers on the bottom of plastic items and wondered what they mean? 🤔 Or questioned if your Ziploc bags can be recycled? Explore my latest blog post to discover the secret code behind plastics! https://lnkd.in/ebpDHCQ2 ♻ Recycling's Unknown Language - How to Smart Recycle

Plastic recycling isn't working, but what can we do about it? A lot, it turns out! Get some answers with this article I wrote for PIRG:

What If Plastic Bags Are Deemed Recyclable?

There is so much technology going on to support our plastic problem from #plasticpacts to #plastictreaties. All great and all positive as we have created the plastic that needs to be circular. It is clear that the oil and gas that plastic and other polymers have been made from cannot go back into the ground . It is also evident that plastic containers that remain circular are the lowest carbon emissions creators . No to plastic in land fill No to plastic in our waterways No to plastic in our air through incineration . We must improve on the 12% of plastic kept circular to 100% Here is a great article about plastic/ polymer technology.

The Sustainable Future of Recycled LLDPE Granules. Find out how Advanced LLDPE Recycling Connects the Plastics Industry to the Circular Economy. https://lnkd.in/dwBfiGpw #recycling #plastic #LLDPE #circulareconomy #sustainable #rmix #rnews

𝗛𝗗𝗣𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗠𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 - 𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗦: 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗪𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗨𝗦𝗘, 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗬𝗖𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖 Our commitment to the circular economy begins with effectively transforming recycled plastic into high-quality compound. These compounds are then used to produce new bottles, reducing the need for virgin raw materials and promoting a sustainable production cycle. Let's discover together the real impact of recycling. ♻ Download our catalogue ➡ https://lnkd.in/dt-_7U23   #PEBO #recycling #plastic #granules #compound #sustainable #environment #sustainabledevelopment #sustainability #packaging #hdpe #circulareconomy

We've been led to believe that plastic recycling is good for the environment, and that we can keep using plastic as long as we recycle it. So we go to the shops, look for those chasing arrows, and feel confident that we can be "green" by buying whatever product. The plastics industry appropriated those chasing arrows from the recycling symbol, knowing full well that the majority of plastics cannot be recycled. In fact, less than 10% of the world's plastic can be recycled. Most plastic containers and products are complex, degrade when reused, and are expensive to recycle. And worse, relying solely on recycling can shift focus away from other essential strategies, such as reducing plastic production, designing products for longevity and reuse, and adopting alternative materials. Better approaches would be to reduce the demand for and production of plastics and hold the manufacturers responsible for collecting and disposing of their used products. In the cases where plastics are necessary, we need to develop the types that can be easily recycled while utilising as few chemicals as possible. https://lnkd.in/e95UpaPu

The circular #plastics economy is still “under construction.” A mechanical #recycling industry is developing, but recycled plastic pellets still account for a small part of polymer demand. The most recycled polymer is PET bottle resin. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a type of clear, durable and versatile plastic. A PET bottle is easily recognized and separated from the rest of the household waste by the consumer, with producers sponsoring bottle-collection schemes and incentives, such as using schools as collection points. Approximately 11% of PET is reused in bottle manufacture; a further 30% is downcycled to (chemically identical) polyester fiber use. Learn more in latest #LookForward research: https://ow.ly/Gv1N50R52EQ

🌍🌱 Plastic Packaging: Why the Growing Fees ?? Last week alone, I received updates about new fees on plastic packaging in three countries across three continents. Many people don’t realize the story behind these changes, so let me explain it simply: The Rise of Plastic From 1950 to 2020, the world produced 9.2 billion metric tons of plastic. Half of this—4.6 billion metric tons—was produced in just 12 years (2008–2020). This massive growth reflects increasing demand. If the trend continues, by 2050, the amount of plastic in the oceans could exceed the weight of the fish. The Recycling Challenge Recycling is seen as a key solution, but it’s not so simple. Different plastics need different processes, which are expensive and resource-heavy. Recycled plastics can often be lower in quality or even harmful due to contamination. Shifting Responsibility Some manufacturers blame consumers or governments for poor waste management, but this ignores their role in the problem. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) EPR global policies are stepping in to hold producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products. By introducing fees or taxes based on the amount of plastic they use, companies are encouraged to support recycling infrastructure and work towards a circular economy. The way Forward Achieving a circular economy requires ideal conditions: collaboration between governments, industries, and consumers. While this is challenging, innovation and responsible policies can help us move closer to this goal. Companies need to: 1️⃣ Take accountability. 2️⃣ Invest in safe, sustainable materials. 3️⃣ Ensure transparency by collecting detailed data on packaging materials (type, recycled content, inks, adhesives, colors, etc.). 💡♻️