Page 68 - Plastics News Issue November - 2024
P. 68
IN THE NEWS
Challenges and Limitations d. Environmental Concerns: However, the pro-
cesses of chemical recycling themselves
Chemical recycling is yet a promising way, but it should also not release some toxic byprod-
has its limitations. The technology is compara- ucts into the environment because these
tively nascent, and there are a number of ob- processes do assist in reducing the rates of
stacles that have to be passed prior to its main- accumulation of plastic wastes in the landfills
stream employment. and incinerators. Pyrolysis type of chemical
a. High Costs and Energy Requirements: Most recycling in particular results in the forma-
chemical recycling processes consume much tion of gases and liquids which should be
energy, and this makes them costly com- discharged in an environmentally manner.
pared to most other methods of recycling. Conclusion
This is more evident in pyrolysis and gasifi-
cation where minerals are utilized commonly The idea of chemical recycling is identified as
to provide heat to break a plastic. However, a solution to tackling the issue, with an added
to make these processes more efficient and potential of converting plastics wastes into valu-
economical there is constant research and able materials. Compared to other recycling
development currently going on. strategies, chemical recycling is capable of recy-
cling more types of plastics, output higher qual-
b. Limited Infrastructure: Currently, there are ity materials and cater for closed-loop recycling
few if any chemical recycling facilities that economy. However, the serious obstacles which
are in operation globally. Chemical recycling are present in modern world, including high
will take much greater investments through costs, lack of infrastructures for this technology
new plants, while the classifying of chemical and the negative impacts on environment have
waste for collecting between frugal and ex- to be solved to achieve the overall potential of
pensive materials will also be needed.
this technology.
c. Quality Control: Quality assurance of prod-
ucts synthesized through chemical recycling While hoping for a brighter future, chemical
can be a problem; especially when under- recycling remains an ambitious direction in ex-
taking the recycling of contaminated plastic ploration and innovation in the reduction of the
waste streams. Dirty vessels food residue, world’s pollution with plastics. But with the prop-
inks, and other additives may get into the fi- er investment in technology, infrastructure and
nal chemical or fuel thus degrading the qual- policies, chemical recycling can change the nar-
ity of these products. Therefore, preliminary rative with plastic waste from being the biggest
sorting and washing of the collected plastic environmental challenge to the world, to a pre-
waste remain crucial tasks for achieving a cursor of a new sustainable economy.
high quality of output.. Source – Plastics Technology
68 PLASTICS NEWS November 2024
