Any thoughts on this?
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1007501
The study underlines that the common practise of mixing plastic like PE from multiple origins (i.e. different compounds), is a bad practise even if this happens within a pretty closed loop system. Moreover there are further aspects that probably will have implications on how we communicate about and go on with our own recycling ambitions.(edited)
When scientists examined pellets from recycled plastic collected in 13 countries they found hundreds of toxic chemicals, including pesticides and pharmaceuticals.
Because of this, the scientists judge recycled plastics unfit for most purposes and a hinder in the attempts to create a circular economy.
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Florian_All_We_Shape
Any thoughts on this?
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1007501
The study underlines that the common practise of mixing plastic like PE from multiple origins (i.e. different compounds), is a bad practise even if this happens within a pretty closed loop system. Moreover there are further aspects that probably will have implications on how we communicate about and go on with our own recycling ambitions. (edited)
After review of this study, why do you reckon "mixing plastic ... from multiple origins ... is bad practice even if within pretty closed loop system"?
The exposure legacy of the plastic we engage with is a compelling, essential concern. For my part, for example, I eschew use of domestic bleach and other select cleaning agent containers, determine the original contents of industrial barrels, and touch nothing formerly hosting herb or pesticides or substances such as xylene.
My take away is know the history of your plastic, utilize personal protective equipment and environmental filtering, and segregate materials to appropriate production.
We've made this stuff- we will either confront it individually, with intelligence, or be confronted by it, in the wild.
A significant portion (~20%?) of industrially recycled plastic is incinerated; I reckon sampling the emissions should feature in our determination of best practice when confronting materials contaminated with egregiously toxic chemicals. For example, what chemical constituents of pesticides pass through an incinerator and are released into the atmosphere?(edited)
A follow up: in the United States, there are two major impediments to prohibition/regulation of constituent toxins in plastics: broad exclusion from regulation of pre-regulation chemistry ("grandfathered in"), and patent secrecy of novel substances created since regulatory imposition. As example of the later, the widespread practice of hydraulic fracking- the breaking apart of rock and strata by the application of chemicals under pressure to free oil and gas -the actual substances being employed are publicly unknowable as a matter of statute, and opaque even to regulators! As we write, entire aquifers are being systematically poisoned, including vast repositories of fossil water, leaving a chemical liability that will extend longer than human history to date.(edited)
IMHO this highlights true process problems in the US:
The "Front End" of recycling with co-mingled products needs major work. The education of and collection of products that have "No Value" must be retrained. Reduce, Reuse, recycle only went so far.
Lack of a clear path for a organization to get funding for good collection practices.
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So many people I talk with think by chucking the juice bottle ( with the napkin stuffed in side ) in the can with the green arrows is enough.(edited)
7:44 PM
...rant over...
Christopher - Unmake Plastic
After review of this study, why do you reckon "mixing plastic ... from multiple origins ... is bad practice even if within pretty closed loop system"?
The exposure legacy of the plastic we engage with is a compelling, essential concern. For my part, for example, I eschew use of domestic bleach and other select cleaning agent containers, determine the original contents of industrial barrels, and touch nothing formerly hosting herb or pesticides or substances such as xylene.
My take away is know the history of your plastic, utilize personal protective equipment and environmental filtering, and segregate materials to appropriate production.
We've made this stuff- we will either confront it individually, with intelligence, or be confronted by it, in the wild.
A significant portion (~20%?) of industrially recycled plastic is incinerated; I reckon sampling the emissions should feature in our determination of best practice when confronting materials contaminated with egregiously toxic chemicals. For example, what chemical constituents of pesticides pass through an incinerator and are released into the atmosphere? (edited)
I am sure more of us who get more involved in higher volumes of recycling will consider adding to their itenary/battery of equipment to use a "Washing Machine plastic cleaner".
Thanks for all the thoughts. I might took it a little too serious concerning our recycling practices.
They say toxic chemicals are used to make all plastics, which is not really a new insight. In those large recycling plants I think it's no wonder, when the final product contains all sorts and heavy amounts of hazardous chemicals. In our case of a relatively close-loop system, can't it be safe for us workers or workshop participants when we stick to the takeaways @Christopher - Unmake Plastic mentioned?
What about the resulting products when we mix PE from like clean shampoo bottles, bottle caps, food containers etc. to produce rulers, carabiners or interior objects? What do they mean when they say "no plastics can be deemed safe or circular" or “no plastic chemical [can be] classified as safe.” How harmful can our solidified products be when they mainly consists of plastics "we know the history about"?
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) in the can with the green arrows is enough. 