Plastics are an essential part of our daily lives, yet their improper sorting and disposal have led to a global environmental crisis. It should be noted that plastics take many years to decompose, and their accumulation in landfills and oceans has caused serious pollution with adverse effects on wildlife. One solution that has been implemented to combat this crisis is recycling, which is the process of turning waste materials into new products. In this blog, we will address the different recycling techniques.
What is recycling?
Recycling is the process by which materials that have been used and that are considered waste are subjected to treatment to convert them into new products or materials that can be used again. This practice is essential to reduce the amount of waste generated and minimize its environmental impact. Therefore, recycling is a key tool in the fight against pollution and climate change and promotes a more sustainable circular economy model.
Recycling techniques
Mechanical Recycling: Mechanical recycling is the most common technique. It involves shredding and washing recyclable materials to turn them into small pieces that can be melted down and later molded into new products. This technique is effective for materials such as glass, paper, and plastic.
Chemical Recycling: Chemical recycling is a technique that involves the conversion of materials into their chemical components. Recyclable materials are broken down into their basic molecules through chemical processes, which allows their reuse in the production of new materials. This technique is effective for materials such as plastics, polymers, and chemicals.
Thermal Recycling: Thermal recycling is a technique that uses thermal energy to convert materials into new useful forms. The process is carried out through the combustion of materials, which allows its transformation into thermal and electrical energy. This technique is effective for materials such as organic waste and wood products.
Recycling is essential to maintain the environment and our planet. Due to the increase in the production and consumption of goods and materials, large amounts of waste have been generated which, if not properly treated, can be highly polluting. Recycling makes it possible to prevent this waste from ending up in landfills or nature, thus reducing its negative environmental impact. In addition, by reusing materials, the need to extract and produce new natural resources is reduced, which decreases humanity’s ecological footprint. In addition, it contributes to the creation of jobs and the generation of a more sustainable and responsible economy. In short, recycling is a fundamental tool to protect the environment, guarantee the well-being of future generations and build a sustainable world.