Household Plastic Recycling

This report provides an overview of household plastic recycling, including the process, benefits, and types of plastic that can be recycled. It also explores the history of household recycling and its importance in environmental conservation. The report covers topics such as the sorting, washing, shredding, and extruding stages of plastic recycling, as well as the different types of plastic commonly found in households and their recycling processes. Overall, it highlights the significance of proper plastic recycling in reducing waste and preserving the environment.

ENVIRONMENT
AND POLICY POST-
note

Topic – “Household plastic recycling”...............................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................3
OVERVIEW........................................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY.......................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..................................................................................................................................12

Topic – “Household plastic recycling”
INTRODUCTION
Environmental policy is related to commitment of business firm or government to the
regulations, laws as well as other policy mechanisms concerning environmental issues. In
addition to this, such type of issues simply involves air & water pollution, ecosystem
management, waste management, maintenance of biodiversity as well as management of
natural resources, endangered species and wildlife (Gradus and et. al., 2017). In simple term
it can be said that, environment policies are required because environmental values are
generally considered within organisational decision making. This report is based on topic
“Household plastic recycling”. Plastic recycling is the procedure of recovering scrap or waste
plastic as well as reprocessing material within useful products. Moreover, most of the plastic
is non-biodegradable as well as recycling is global efforts for reducing plastic within waste
stream especially from Earth’s Ocean every year because approx. 8 million metric tonnes
waste plastic enters every year. Respective report will going to conduct discussion on
household plastic recycling and several other aspects related to the same.
OVERVIEW
 Process, stages and benefits of plastic recycling.
 Different type of plastic and how they are recycled.
 History of household recycling.
 Environmental benefits of plastic recycling.
 Economic and social benefits.
MAIN BODY
Plastic recycling is the procedure of recovering several kinds of plastics material in
order to reprocessing them within varied other products unlike their original form. In addition
to this, item which are made up of plastics is recycled within different products which
generally cannot be recycled again (Process, stages and benefits of plastic recycling, 2020).
Moreover, before any plastic waste is recycled there is requirement to go through five
different stages so that it can be further utilise for making several type of products.
Explanation of these are as follows :-

 Sorting – It is important that every plastic item is separated as per its making as well
as type so that it will be processed according within the shredding machine.
 Washing – After Shorting, next step is washing has to be done in which waste plastic
required to be washed in proper manner for removing impurities like adhesives as
well as labels (Eriksen and et. al., 2019). In addition to this, overall washing
procedure result in enhancing quality of finished products.
 Shredding – Next step is shredding after washing, within this plastic waste is loaded
in different conveyer belts which run waste through several shredders. In addition to
this, shredding result in tearing plastic within small pellets as well as preparing them
from recycling within other type of products.
 Identification and classification of plastic – When shredding is completed next step
is proper testing of plastic pellets will be conducted for ascertaining their quality as
well as classes.
 Extruding – It include melting of shredded plastic so that it can extruded within
pellets that are then utilised for making different kind of plastic products.
Process of recycling plastic – There are several procedure of recycling plastic waste out of
which two are most popular within industry. Explanation of these are mention below :-
 Heart Compression – This is kind of plastic recycling is gaining specialist demand
within US, Australia as well as Japan. Because of its capabilities to recycle every type
of plastic at once. Heart compression will take unsorted as well as cleaned waste
plastic and mix up in wide tumblers which will churn overall mixtures (Eriksen and
et. al., 2018). Through this procedure one major advantages is that it will not need
matching forms of plastic to be recycle together.
 Monomer – By accurate and elaborate monomer recycling procedure most of the
challenges related to recycling plastic will come out. In addition to this, actually
monomer procedure actually reverse the polymerization reaction in order to recycle
similar kind of condensed polymer. Moreover, this procedure will not only result in
purifies but result in cleaning plastic waste for creating new polymer.
Benefits of plastic recycling – There are several benefits of plastic recycling because it not
only promotes proper utilisation of plastic waste but also assist conserve the environment,
making it greener as well as cleaner. Explanation of benefits are as follows :-

 Clears landfill space - Plastic waste is aggregated ashore that ought to be utilized for
different purposes (Rajasekaran and Maji, 2020). The main way this plastic waste can
be expelled from these territories is by reusing it. Additionally, different trials have
demonstrated that when another waste material is tossed on a similar ground as plastic
waste, it breaks down quicker and discharges risky poisonous vapor after a specific
period. These exhaust are amazingly hurtful to the encompassing region as they can
cause various sorts of lung and skin ailments.
 Conservation of energy and natural resources – Plastic recycling provide
assistance in saving lots of energy as well as natural resources because these are major
ingredients needed for making virgin plastic. There are several natural resources
whose saving will result in balancing nature as these are saving petroleum, water and
other natural resources.
 There’s Ton of plastics – Major reason behind recycling plastic is its huge quantity
as it has been observed that approx. 90% of waste accumulated through municipal
corporation is plastic waste. Moreover, utilisation of plastic for manufacturing
purpose for type of goods as well as items which utilise on daily basis. In addition to
this, it will not only result in enhancing the production of plastic but will also result in
taking care of environment.
Apart from this, there are several type of plastics which utilise in household activities and all
these recycle in different manner (Afroz and et. al., 2017). Explanation of different plastic
which use in house activity and there recycling process also explained below :-
Different type of plastic and how they are recycled – In household activities there
are several type of plastic product which utilise and it is important to recycle these plastics in
proper manner because it have negative impact on environment (Different type of plastic and
how they are recycled, 2020). Explanation of these are as follows :-
 PETE or PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) – This type of plastic generally
founded in perishable food containers & mouthwash, beverages bottles. Moreover,
clear PET plastic is safe but it absorb food flavours and odors which stored in them.
Most of the recycling program accept PET or PETE plastic as these are recycled
within furniture, carpet as well as fiber for winter garments.
 High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) – It is another plastic which commonly recycled
and deemed as safe as well as high density polyethylene products don’t have much

risk of leaching within liquid or food (Eriksen and et. al., 2019). This type of plastic
find in several daily consuming items such as yogurt tubs, milk jugs, cleaning
products containers, body was bottle and several other similar products. In addition to
this, several toys which children use for playing are also made up of HDPE plastic
such as plastic fencing, picnic tables, bottles, pens, plastic lumber and many more.
Thus, high Density polyethylene is very common plastic which used in daily file of
particular person as well as in several household activities because it is not harmful
and can be easily recycled.
 V or PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – This type of plastic mainly founded in food wrap,
tiles, plumbing pipes, windows, medical equipment’s, PVC is seldom recycled and
many other. In addition to this, polyvinyl chloride contain harmful chemicals which
are linked within variety of ailments which involves bone & liver diseases as well as
developmental issues within children and infants. In addition to this, it is important to
keep PVC plastic items away from drink as well as foods items. Moreover, special
programs recycle PVC within flooring, roadside gutters as well as panelling to name a
few.
 LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) – Most of the plastic recycling programs
generally begins with acceptance of LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) plastics
(Eriksen and Astrup, 2019). In addition to this, it is very clean as well as safe plastic
and founded within most of the household items such as grocery bags, plastic wraps,
frozen food containers, squeezable bottles and many more. With recycling of Low-
Density Polyethylene plastic result in making such items like furniture, panelling,
garbage cans, bubble wrap, flooring and many more.
 PP (Polypropylene) – It is another safe plastic which is quite sturdy as well as
founded within syrup bottles, Tupperware, yogurt containers, medicine bottles and
many more. Recycling of PP result within heavy duty items such as ice scrapers,
rakes, battery cables, pallets and several more. In addition to this, there are several
recycling programs which accept polypropylene plastic (PP).
 PS (Polystyrene) – It is most commonly recognizable or founded plastic as it is
founded within insulation, packing materials, beverage cups, disposable dinnerware,
egg cartons and many others. Moreover, Styrofoam is notorious for leaching as well
as poor recyclability, some programs may be acceptable by it. Polystyrene is recycled
within several items such involves school supplies, license plate framing, insulation
and many more.

 Miscellaneous Plastics - SPI code 7 is a potpourri of plastics, one of which is
polycarbonate. Sunglasses, computer casing, nylon, compact discs and baby bottles
may contain #7. These types of plastics are hard to recycle and contain the toxic
chemical BPA, a dangerous hormone disruptor that can cause health problems. Plastic
#7 is primarily recycled into plastic lumber and specialized products.
Above mention are different type of plastic products which utilise in household activities
within different manner such as toys for children’s, eating products packaging and many
other products which use in housing activities.
History of household recycling – Today recycling programs seems ordinary but long
ago it was not as most of the household sent 100% of their wastage to landfills. Now,
most of the ambitious cities are adding “Zero-waste” goals for growing list of “green”
policies (History of household recycling,2018). There is wide history of household
product recycling explanation of these including years are mention below :-
 1939 (conflict breeds necessity) – At the time of World War 2nd beginning,
combatant nations has begin their “salvage” campaigns in that urging citizen or
population started collecting and recycling material such as paper, tin cans,
rubber boots as well as kitchen fats.
 1945 (Peace and garbage) – After ending war and returns of prosperity more
quickly within some places than others. These salvage drivers are abandoned as
well as the post war period of consumption and waste begins for gaining
momentum.
 1947 (A growing need) – In New York’s Staten Island Fresh kills landfill opens
and it has been supposed to have 20 years lifespan but because of city’s relentless
garbage production as well as lack of alternatives it will remain active until 2001.
In addition to this, at its busiest 20 barges per day each loaded with 650 tones of
garbage and unload here will result in making landfill a potent national symbol of
waste.
 1970 (symbolic action) – It was first Earth day celebration which result in
bringing awareness related to several environmental issues that involves trash
disposal as well as requirement for recycling and reuse (Jacobsen and et. al.,
2018). Along with this, Gary Anderson who was senior at University of Southern
California win design competition sponsorship by Container Corporation of

America for an emblem for putting their recycled cardboard products. For such
practices he earns cash prize of $2,500. After Container Corporation of America
fails to in getting trademark the distinctive green-arrow Mobius strip, the design
will enters domain of public as a universally recognizable icon for recycling.
 1971 (Bottles up) – In United State, Oregon passes first law related to statewide
beverage container deposit. At present, states with bottle bills boast a 70% average
recycling rate in comparison of overall rate in United State of 33 percent.
 1980 - The first official order of recycling is held in Woodbury, New Jersey a city
in United States. The program of picking up of garbage from the road side was
promoted by then-Mayor Don Sanderson. People of the Woodbury first start
protesting against this law, but after 3 months 85 percent of the Woodbury start
following this law
 1987 - 3000 tons of New York City trash was carry by the barge called the Mobro
4000 leaves New York Harbor. The trash caring barge destination is North
Carolina and they refuse to take the delivery of the New York trash because they
thought that it might contain hazardous substances and no one will accept the New
York trash and five months later it return to Brooklyn.
 1991 - A national law was adopted by the Germany in the law the manufacturing
company is responsible for the disposal of their packaging material after
consumed or use by the consumers. After this law the companies arrange the
better disposal and recycle and also reduce the packaging. Germany companies
reuse or recycle their waste up to 70 percent.
 1995 - The “single-stream” recycle concept starting in California and takes hold in
U.S. In this recycling method paper plastic and glass are placed in a single
garbage bag and they are sorted in the processing plant
 2002 - In San Francisco by 2009 the city has make it mandatory to separate the
garbage into compostable and recyclable. There are many goals kept by the San
Francisco one of them is to keeping 75 percent of its waste out of landfills by
2010, and they also set a goal of zero wastage from 2003 to 2020.
 2008 - The European Union set a goal to reuse the household waste by 50 percent
in the whole European Union by 2020. There are few countries leading the same
way Germany. Netherland, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium.

 2009 - In this year across United States 9,000 curb side recycling programs were
healed. On national level 34 percent waste is recover, which mean around 3
pounds per person or 161 million tons of garbage is thrown every day.
 2010 (Moving goalposts) – By San Francisco 80 percent of landfill diversion rate
has bee claim, although a lawsuit charges that the city’s waste contractors,
Recology, is fudging the numbers within part by enhancing classifying several
type of demolition debris. In 2014, a judge ruled that Recology has result in
making false claim about its 2008 landfill figures as well as ordered the business
firm to repay the city a $1.36 million bonus which received for meeting several
goals and objectives.
 2012 (Global Poverty plays a role) – In some countries, growing garbage crises
result in an outbreak of dengue fever as well as for this several urban areas
responds this formally by recognizing as well as organizing so called waste
pickers (Horodytska, Valdés and Fullana, 2018). In this poor families who rifle by
trash for reaching anything valuable to sell to scrap dealers. Apart from this, in
many developing countries organized waste picking collective has become
common which includes Brazil, Colombia, Egypt and many more. Some of these
group are now play important role within formation of local waste management
policies, procedure as well as programs.
 2013 (One word: Plastic) – China is importing approx. 8 to 9 million tons of
plastic recycling material on early basis which result in making China leader
within processing such waste. In addition to this, plastic recycling industry has
transformed many once rural communities within polluted trash heaps. Moreover,
global market for recycled plastic is projected for reaching 45 million tones in
2015.
 2014 (Energy Boost) – By City of Napa, California updated waste processing
facilities was planned which will result in turning organic waste like garden debris
as well as food within compost for agricultural utilisation, while capturing gas
produced within the composting procedure as well as converting it within
compressed natural gas (Zheng and et. al., 2017). Moreover, it is one of many
efforts to harness the by products of decomposing organic waste in renewable
natural gas.
 2015 – As cities and countries are growing along with their growing list they are
adopting “Zero waste” goals which was crafted by Zero Waste International

Alliance. In addition to this, while “Zero” within mostly cases didn’t mean same
as Zero but 90 % landfill diversion rates as well as above than this are generally
considered enough recycling and reuse rate of the same will vary at global level.
Environmental benefits of plastic recycling – There are several advantages of
recycling plastic such as reduce pollution as well as climate change. At present, mostly
plastic waste goes to landfill as well as released within environment through one or another
way. Moreover, every year in, Southeast Asia and China approx. 4 to 12 million tones of
plastic packages which people use on daily basis swept down in rivers as well as ends within
oceans. In addition to this, plastic take 100 years in decomposing as well as constitutes huge
threats to marine environment and result in polluting nature, air, water and several other
things (Hahladakis and et. al., 2018). Thus, recycling of plastic products result in essential
reduction within atmosphere emission of CO2. Because utilisation of recycled plastics avoids
emission of an amount equivalent to that which generate while producing raw plastic approx.
20 box.
Economic and social benefits – Recycling of plastic have economic and social
benefits such as employment, value creation as well as energy self- sufficiency. As
development in recycling also result in fosters local growth through internalization of
employment within territory. Normally, a plant delivering around 50,000 metric huge
amounts of reused plastic will utilize around 30 individuals. This is fundamentally a bigger
number of occupations than those created by sending a comparable measure of waste to
landfill or burning it, or by the petrochemical business combining an identical amount of
virgin gums – and these employments are neighbourhood (Pandey, Surjan and Kapshe,
2018). Setting up a framework to reuse plastic waste permits a neighbourhood industry to rise
and recuperate an incentive from the reused material. Where there is no reusing, vitality
recuperation is the main salary producing probability. Be that as it may, on the grounds that
plastic waste reusing frameworks are strategically more mind boggling than conventional
waste preparing frameworks (separate assortments, separated streams, and so on.), this
prompts higher waste administration costs (Pambudi, Dowaki and Adhiutama, 2016). This
extra expense must be secured by makers and purchasers of plastic merchandise through
broadened maker obligation (EPR). Building up this action additionally assists with
conveying asset freedom to nations with barely any oil or gas assets, since making crude
plastic requires unrefined petroleum or flammable gas.

CONCLUSION
After going through above discussion, it has been summarised that it is responsibility
of every single person to protect environment. Here, single person will not only be related
with organisation but also with people who are living at home. Thus, there are several
environmental policies related to commitment of business firm and household to laws,
regulation as well as several other policies related to environmental issues. In household
activities also there are several plastic products utilise within daily basis operations. All these
plastic product at some level result in harming environment so it is important for who are
living in house to take care that they have to recycle plastic which they are consuming.

REFERENCES
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Online

Process, stages and benefits of plastic recycling, 2020.[Online].Available through<
https://www.norcalcompactors.net/processes-stages-benefits-plastic-recycling/>
Different type of plastic and how they are recycled,2020.[Online].Available through<
https://www.generalkinematics.com/blog/different-types-plastics-recycled/ >
History of household recycling ,2018.[Online].Available
through<https://www.citylab.com/city-makers-connections/recycling/>