Why Recycling Plastic Feels More Important Than Ever
When I think of recycling, I think of something really simple. Taking something old, and giving it another chance. That is, at the core, what it is. Re-using waste.
With plastic, it becomes even more critical. It is everywhere. All around us, during shopping, during delivery, even in our household products. Now that the conversations about sustainability have dominated the discourse, plastic recycling has moved from being a ‘good idea’ to necessity.
The market signals reflect this shift. GMI Research indicates that the Egypt Plastics Market is expected to grow at a vigorous CAGR of 3.3% during the forecast period up to 2032. This indicates that in Egypt, recycling efforts and demand for plastic products are evolving simultaneously.
Let’s discuss the impact of recycling plastic.
Recycling Decreases Landfill Waste
The demand for waste disposal services gets higher as the population grows. This is due to changes in culture and consumption, and is based on convenience.
Plastics comprise a significant percentage of the materials in a landfill. Their space is limited and the landfill will not last forever. Recycling does not stop the problem but does slow the rate of its deterioration. Every time we choose to reuse a plastic item, we allow the landfill to store more biodegradable waste, rather than plastic.
To not recycle is to ignore the problem. It’s as if someone has thrown a serious problem in the street for people to constantly walk around and avoid.
Recycling Helps to Decrease the Pollution of Our Planet
Plastic is made with oil, which is a finite resource. The production of new plastic results in the emission of greenhouse gases which fuels global warming.
Each time we recycle we help avoid the damage of making new plastic. The less we produce plastic the less the emission of greenhouse gases.
Also, a lot of plastic is carelessly disposed of into our water systems and on land. Wildlife eat plastic, and then ecosystems collapse on themselves. This is why it is vital to recycle, as it helps to reduce the plastic that is in landfills and waterways.
Recycle for Healthy Wildlife
Recycling plastic saves energy. This is because the process of making new plastic is very energy-intensive. Because the production of new plastic requires the extraction of oil from the Earth, less plastic will be made if people continue to recycle. This saves both the Earth’s resources and energy.
Also, the production of virgin plastic requires the use of additional chemicals, fuel, and electricity. This means that when we use recycled plastic to produce more plastic, we will use less of the aforementioned substances.
It Works. It Works.
It Works For The Economy And It Works For The People
Recycling supports the economy. For the plastic recycling industry to operate financially, it also has to function economically. Plastic recycling as a circular economy processes waste, collects it, and processes it- turning it into a raw material again. Each step creates jobs and the entire cycle creates employment opportunities.
In many countries, recycling activities support local communities. In countries such as Egypt, recycling supports the local informal economy. Collection, sorting, processing, and recycling all contribute to the local economy.
It also supports local economies and sustains livelihoods.
It Transforms Waste Into Economic Value
There is an interesting fact not many people know. Plastic waste is material of great worth. Plastic waste is actually a raw material before it is recycled, and, recycling it creates a value chain. Because plastic waste is extremely economically viable, it must be kept in circulation instead of in a landfill.
And waste, actually, does not have to be the end of the story.
It Provides A Sustainable Future
Changing our mindset to value resources instead of just throwing it away is the meaning of recycling. Recycling supports the economy.
The growth of recycling systems supports and strengthens the foundation for a circular economy.
Final Thoughts
Recycling plastic isn’t a perfect solution, but it’s one of the most powerful means to tackle the issue of plastic pollution, as it diverts materials from landfills, reduces pollution, saves energy, creates jobs, and most importantly generates value from previously discarded materials.
With the growth of sectors like plastics in Egypt, it will become increasingly important to have effective recycling practices integrated in the value chain of the sector. Sustainable practices in a sector do not only mean reducing consumption; they require a re-evaluation of the entire flow of materials in the economy.