Network Recycling Challenges and Opportunities
The utilization of plastic materials has led to significant plastic waste accumulation, with 86% of plastic ending up in landfills. The challenges in plastic recycling include the prevalence of single-use plastics, difficulties in sorting different types of plastic, and high costs associated with collection and processing. Recycling and remanufacturing plastic can save between 30% to 80% of carbon emissions compared to virgin plastics. The quality of recycled plastics often exhibits variations and decreased strength, posing barriers to their utilization. Plastic recycling methods include primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary recycling. Mechanical recycling is the most common method, though not all plastic types can be mechanically recycled. The traditional recycling model relies on centralized facilities and faces challenges related to logistics and transportation. A comprehensive approach that integrates localized recycling solutions alongside centralized facilities is ne...