The Importance of

Plastic Recycling
Emphasis: Why recycle and how to
recycle
The things about
plastics. . .
• In Los Angeles alone, 10 metric tons of
plastics are carried into the Pacific Ocean
every day
• We produced more plastics over the last ten
years than during the whole of the last
century
• Enough plastic is thrown away each year to
circle the earth four times
• A plastic from a one liter bottle could end up
on every mile of beach worldwide
• 46% of plastic float and can drift for years
before eventually concentrating in ocean
gyres
• Billion pounds of plastic can be found in
swirling convergences in the ocean making
40% of the world’s ocean surfaces while 80%
of pollution comes from land
• Plastics constitute 90% of trash in the ocean,
with 46% of plastic per square mile
• Plastics can be absorbed by the body---93%
of Americans ages 6 or older test positive of a
plastic chemical BPA
• Some plastic compounds have been found to
alter hormones or have other potential health
So we need
t

HEL o
 Now, what?
With the exponential growth of population,
it is only imperative that we recycle at our
maximum capacity, each in our own little
ways.
 The RR & R
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Also known as the R3, these are the
essential components of environmentally
responsible consumer behavior. It is also
known as the waste hierarchy.

• The concept behind the first R, reduce, is

that we should limit the number of purchases
that we make in the first place. For instance,
buying in bulk. It uses less packaging.
• The concept behind the second R, reuse, is
that we should reuse items as much as
possible before replacing them. For instance,
updating the old computer than buying a new
one.

• The concept behind the third R, recycle, is

that we should ensure that items or their
components are put to some new purpose as
much as possible. If our computer is not fit for
reuse as is, we can hand it over to junk
shops.
 Sometimes a fourth R is added, generally
standing for “rethink” or “recover”.

• Rethink is sometimes added to the front of the

hierarchy, meaning, we should consider our
options and think about their impact on the
environment.

• Recover, which is the last R, refers to the

practice of putting waste products to use. For
example, decomposing garbage produces
methane gas, which some landfill sites recover
and burn for energy rather than letting it
 What comes of it?
We know the basic effect, yes. We get to
have a cleaner environment. But, what else?
Here are some practical environmental
and economic effects of recycling plastics.
• For every 1 ton of plastic that’s recycled,
reports estimate that 7 yards of landfill space
is saved
• It also helps conserve the additional 80% of
energy that’s typically used when making
new plastic bottles, containers, etc.
• 66% of energy is saved when producing new
plastic products from recycled ones instead
of raw materials
• Recycling, reusing and composting create
6-10 times as many jobs as waste
incineration and landfills
• Recycling saves 3-5 times energy generated
by waste-to-energy plants
• Recycling 1 ton of plastic saves the
equivalent of 1000-2000 gallons of gasoline,
reducing chances of the so-called “fuel
drain”
• Being made of petroleum, plastic has BTU,
which can be a cheaper alternative for coal
 How to do the
basics?
A survey in the US was done and 9 out of 10
people surveyed said that they would recycle more if it
was easier.

Well, we don’t have to be an expert for us to do it.

• Reuse shopping bags and bottled water. Use cloth

bags and metal or glass bottles instead of plastic
cellophanes and bottles.

• Refuse single-serving or excess packaging,

straws and other disposable plastics. Use reusable
utensils instead.
• Reduce everyday plastics as sandwich
wrappers and juice cartons. Replace them
with reusable lunch box and tumblers. For
instance, use that Tupperware in buying
today’s viand.
• Go digital! Download movies and music
online instead of buying CDs and DVDs
• Be creative. Seek out alternatives to the
plastic items that you rely on make that
plastic junk useful.
Just do it the

fun
wa
y
Always remember. . .

“We do not inherit the earth from

our ancestors. We borrow it from our
children.”
Craig Wing
References
www.architectureartdesigns.com
www.boredpanda.com
www.ecowatch.com
www.mrcpolymers.com
http://whatis.techtarget.com