Why Do International Big Brands Favor Recycled Plastics?

Circular economy

In recent years, international companies such as Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, and H&M have gradually adopted recycled plastics in the production of their products. In fact, the cost of recycled plastics is not lower than that of virgin plastics, but the recycling of recycled plastics can promote the development of circular economy.

Environmental pressure

In the past 50 years, the global use of plastics has increased by 20 times and is expected to double again in the next 20 years. Plastics are inexpensive and versatile, but governments and consumers are increasingly aware of their enormous environmental costs. Related studies have shown that by 2050, the weight of plastics in the global ocean may exceed the weight of fish. If we no longer pay attention to the recycling of plastics, then the earth will be overwhelmed.

Huge recycling space

Currently, only 14% of the world’s plastics are used for recycling, which is lower than other raw materials. The paper recovery rate is 58% and the steel recovery rate is 90%. The recycling of plastics has huge prospects and space. Waste plastics can be processed into plastics by physical or chemical methods such as pretreatment, melt granulation and modification, which can re-use plastics and reduce environmental pollution.

The plastic must meet the following four points before the product is considered recyclable:

1. The product must be made of plastic for market value after recycling or supported by a legally mandated program.

2. The product must be classified and aggregated in the defined recycling process.

3. The product can be processed and recycled/recycled through a commercial recycling process.

4. Recycled plastic can be a raw material for the production of new products.

In addition, innovative materials must demonstrate that they can be collected and categorized, must be compatible with existing industrial recycling processes, or must have sufficient quantities to justify the operation of the new recycling process.

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