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However, for the most part, plastic must be recycled
into a product for non food use. For example, plastic
soda bottles cannot be recycled into new bottles. They
can be recycled into products such as bathtubs, flower
pots, parking lot car stops, toys, and trash cans
As a result, PVC requires
separation from other plastics and sorting before mechanical
recycling. PVC recycling is particularly problematic
because of high separation and collection costs, loss
of material quality after recycling, the low market
price of PVC recycled compared to virgin PVC and, therefore,
the limited potential of recycled in the existing PVC
market
Incineration
Incineration is not a sustainable option for dealing
with waste. Less energy is generated from burning the
plastic than was used to make it. Carbon contained within
it is emitted as CO2 - a greenhouse gas. Toxic substances
are also emitted, and large amounts of solid wastes
are produced as slag, ash, filter residues and neutralization
salt residues.
The incineration of 1kg PVC creates approximately 1-3kg
of contaminated salt residues from the neutralization
of the hydrochloric acid when dry and semi dry neutralization
processes are applied. This salt needs to be disposed
of as hazardous waste.
Land Fill
Land filling does not represent a viable option for
PVC disposal because additives, such as phthalates and
heavy metals in PVC, can migrate into the environment
from landfills, and in the case of landfill fires, PVC
can contribute to the formation of dioxin. Thus, there
are no alternative environmentally sound disposal options
for PVC waste.
In addition to not being easily recycled, plastic production
and processing require the use of toxic chemicals. Many
manufacturing plants that produce these chemicals also
produce hazardous waste and pollute the air.
Conservation Action
The problem of plastic pollution is serious and requires
further urgent study. Immediate action is also required
such as :
Reduction of the amount of plastic used in packaging
which is usually immediately thrown away. Re-use of
plastics should be encouraged.
Plastic wrapping and bags should carry a warning label
stating the dangers of plastic pollution, and shoppers
should be encouraged to use their own bags, or recycled
paper bags
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