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Jobs Through Recycling: Plastics
Manufacturing News Center
Abstract -- The number of plastics recycling businesses has tripled
since 1990, with more than 1,700 companies handling and reclaiming postconsumer
plastics, according to the American Plastics Council.
Of the many grades of plastics, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and
high density polyethylene (HDPE) account for more than 67 percent of
postconsumer recycled plastics, although recycling of polystyrene, polypropylene,
and low density polyethylene (LDPE) packaging continues to increase.
EPA estimated that in 2000, PET soft drink bottles had a recycling rate
of 34.9 percent, while HDPE containers were recycled at a rate of 30.4
percent. In addition, more than 1 billion pounds of non-bottle postconsumer
plastics were recycled in 1998, including battery casings, film and
bags, crates, and x-ray film.
Because it is a young industry, the recycled plastics market has been
volatile in recent years. After rapid growth in the early 1990s, the PET
and HDPE markets slowed in 1996 due to large increases in virgin capacity
but have rebounded since then. Prices for recovered plastics are closely
tied to the price and availability of virgin and off-spec resin. As a
result, prices for recovered and reclaimed plastics have historically
been quite low in order to remain competitive. Major barriers to growth
in plastics recycling include the lack of value-added markets, consistency
of quality and quantity, and high transportation costs for plastics collection.
In an effort to improve efficiency and reduce costs, the industry has
focused on improving its processing technology to reduce contaminants
and increase product quality and tailoring the processed materials to
meet market specifications.
The primary concern about the use of plastics is the depletion of nonrenewable
natural resources. => Learn
More
A variety of efforts around the country are geared towards increasing
the amount of recovered plastics used in beverage containers. The primary
market for recovered PET, however, is polyester fiber for carpet and clothing,
while recovered HDPE is used for detergent, motor oil, and cosmetic (e.g.,
shampoo) bottles as well as film, drainage pipe, pallets, and plastic
lumber. The plastic lumber industry, in particular, continues to grow,
producing durable and efficient alternatives to wood. In an effort to
increase consumer confidence and sales, the plastic lumber industry continues
to work to develop standards and specifications for its products. In addition,
PET is being used to make fleece outerwear, strapping, and clear packaging,
and one recycler is using plastics from discarded computers in new filler
for highways.
Most plastics processors ignored wood fiber because of its low bulk density,
low thermal stability, and tendency to absorb moisture. => Learn
More
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Source: EPA
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