Plastic Recycling to Play Key Role in Managing End-of-Life Plastics

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) announced publication of a new report on plastics recycling. The report titled “Recycling Plastics: Facts, Data and Policy Recommendations” highlights the important role played by recycling in management of end-of-life plastics.

The report narrates the contributions made by plastics in the everyday life of human beings. At the same time, it warns about the harmful economic and environmental impacts created by them at the end of their life. The problematic end-of-use handling of plastics often leads to high levels of plastic pollution. As per estimates, only less than % of all plastics produced is responsibly recycled. The remainder is landfilled, incinerated or exported to other countries, where they are handled using unhealthy techniques.

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In the report, BIR notes that recycling is the best solution for processing waste, mainly because it contributes to limiting environmental impacts. It eliminates energy-intensive and environmentally harmful techniques used to produce virgin plastics. In fact, recycling uses up to 76% less energy. Moreover, it reduces the dependence of non-oil-producing countries on oil-producing nations for raw material.

The report calls upon governments to create favourable environment for plastics recycling and take necessary actions to improve the quality of recyclables collected. It calls for increased cooperation among industry, manufacturers and governments.