Plastic recycling process diagram, animation

How does the plastic recycling process work?


Introduction

Recycling plastics is an important step towards sustainable development. A significant proportion of plastics do not degrade naturally and can remain in landfills for many years, even centuries. Recycling allows plastic waste to be reused, reducing the environmental impact.

1. Collection and sorting

The first step in the plastic recycling process is waste collection and sorting. Plastic waste is collected separately to make it easier to handle. During collection, different types of plastics are also sorted, as purity and proper mixing of materials are important in recycling.

2. Shredding and chipping

The collected plastic waste is chipped and shredded. This step helps increase the surface area, making the material easier to handle. During shredding, the plastic waste is broken down into smaller pieces to make it easier to process in subsequent steps.

3. Melting and forming

The shredded and shredded plastic waste is melted and shaped. During melting, the plastic is brought to a liquid state at high temperatures and then moulded or pressed into different shapes. This allows the creation of recycled forms of plastic, for example in the form of bottles, packaging or other plastic products.

4. Making recycled products

Recycled products are made from melted and moulded plastic. These products can have the same quality and properties as the original plastics. Recycled plastics can be used, for example, to make remanufactured bottles, packaging materials or other plastic products.

5. Use and recycling

Recycled plastic products are used in various industries. For example, recycled plastics can be reused in packaging, construction or even in the automotive industry. Recycled plastics can be further recycled, so the process can be repeated.

Summary

The plastic recycling process plays an important role in sustainable development. The steps of collection, sorting, shredding, melting and moulding allow the recycling of plastic waste and reduce the environmental impact by using recycled products.

∑: plastic, recycled, recycling, plastics, products, collection, process, important, sorting