Recycling Plastic Waste 101: A Guide to Environmental Protection and Resource Conservation

Plastic waste is one of the most serious environmental problems today. According to statistics from the World Plastic Council, each year about 8 million tons of plastic waste is dumped into the sea. This amount of waste can exist in the environment for hundreds of years, causing many negative impacts on the environment and human health. In this article, let's learn with EQUO the importance and process of recycling plastic waste, as well as how it contributes to protecting the environment and saving valuable resources!

1. The importance of recycling plastic waste

Plastic waste, when released into the environment, will pollute the soil, water, and air, affecting human and animal health. Plastic waste recycling is the process of converting plastic waste into new, reusable materials. Recycling plastic waste brings many important benefits, including:

1.1. Protect the environment and reduce pollution

Recycling helps reduce the amount of plastic waste released into the environment, thereby minimizing soil, water, and air pollution. Plastic waste, when not handled properly, will take hundreds of years to decompose. During the decomposition process, it will release toxic substances, causing environmental pollution.

Source: Internet

Plastic waste can pollute the soil when buried, reducing the soil's water permeability, and leading to flooding and groundwater pollution. Plastic waste can also pollute water when drifting into seas, rivers, and lakes and can clog drainage systems, causing flooding and water pollution. Plastic waste can also cause air pollution when burned because it will create toxic gases such as dioxins and furans, causing air pollution and affecting human health.

1.2. Save resources and energy

Recycling plastic waste helps save resources and energy. To produce virgin plastic, it is necessary to use a lot of natural resources such as oil, gas, and coal, and consume a large amount of energy. Recycling plastic waste helps reuse used materials, thereby minimizing the exploitation of natural resources and saving energy.

According to research by Yale University, recycling 1 ton of plastic saves 1.8 tons of oil, 2.5 tons of coal, and 15,000 kWh of electricity. Recycling plastic waste helps reduce the need to exploit natural resources, thereby protecting the environment and natural resources.

Source: Internet

Recycling plastic waste brings many environmental and social benefits, including reducing pollution, protecting resources, saving energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Next, we will explore the plastic waste recycling process in more detail to understand how it works and how we can contribute to protecting the environment.

>> Read More:

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• What Are Plastic Straws? Pros, Cons - Hazards, Bans, Recycling
• Single-Use Plastic Ban: Everything You Need To Know
• 20+ Recycled Plastic Straw Ideas: Simple and Easy to Do

2. Plastic waste recycling process

Recycling plastic waste is an effective solution to protect the environment and save resources. Every citizen needs to raise awareness in classifying waste and recycling plastic waste. The plastic waste recycling process includes the following steps:

2.1. Collecting and sorting

This is the first step in the plastic waste recycling process. Plastic waste is collected from households, agencies, organizations, businesses, etc.

After being collected, plastic waste needs to be classified by type of plastic, color, etc. to facilitate the recycling process. Plastic waste classification needs to be done properly to ensure the quality of recycled plastic.

Source: Internet

2.2. Shredding and grinding

After plastic waste has been classified, it is put into a shredder and grinder to turn into small, uniformly sized pieces of plastic. This process not only helps shred plastic waste but also removes impurities such as metal and sand, thereby creating clean and quality recycled materials.

Source: Internet

2.3. Cleaning

After chopping and grinding, plastic pieces will go through a washing step with water to remove dirt on the surface. This process ensures the quality of the recycled plastic, helping the final product meet hygiene and safety standards.

2.4. Drying

After the rinsing step, the plastic pieces need to be dried to completely remove the water. This process prevents recycled plastic from becoming moldy, while also creating favorable conditions for storage and transportation.

2.5. Pelletizing, coloring, and mixing with purified water

After drying, the plastic pieces will be put into a granulator to form plastic granules of uniform size. After that, the plastic beads will be colored and mixed with purified water in the appropriate ratio.

2.6. Recycling into finished products

Finally, the plastic beads that have been colored and mixed well with purified water will be put into the blowing machine to form new, diverse plastic products such as bottles, jars, etc. Through this process, recycled products mechanism not only benefits the environment but also meets diverse market needs.

Source: Internet

Recycling plastic waste is a complex process, requiring investment in equipment, technology, and human resources. However, this is an effective solution to protect the environment and save resources. Every citizen needs to raise awareness in classifying waste and recycling plastic waste to contribute to reducing environmental pollution.

3. Types of plastic that can be recycled

Plastic comes in many different types, each with its characteristics. Not all plastics are recyclable. Recyclable plastics are often made from simple materials that are easy to separate and reuse.

Types of recyclable plastic and corresponding symbols:

• Number 1: PET plastic or PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate): This type of plastic is often used to produce soft drink bottles, mineral water, cooking oil bottles, etc. PET plastic is highly recyclable and can be recycled. into products such as plastic bottles, polyester fibers, etc.
• Number 2: HDPE plastic (High-Density Polyethylene): This type of plastic is often used to produce milk bottles, detergent containers, toys, etc. HDPE plastic is highly recyclable and can be recycled. processed into products such as plastic bottles, plastic bags, trash cans, etc.
• Number 3: PVC plastic (Polyvinyl Chloride): This type of plastic is often used to produce water bottles, food wraps, electrical wire covers, etc. PVC plastic has low recyclability and can be recycled into products such as plastic sheets, plastic pipes, etc.
• Number 4: LDPE plastic (Low-Density Polyethylene): This type of plastic is often used to produce plastic bags, garbage bags, food wraps, etc. LDPE plastic is highly recyclable and can be recycled. processed into products such as plastic bags, plastic sheets, etc.
• Number 5: PP plastic (Polypropylene): This type of plastic is often used to produce food containers, toys, bottle caps, etc. PP plastic is highly recyclable and can be recycled into other products. products such as food containers, trash cans, etc.
• Number 6: PS plastic (Polystyrene): This type of plastic is often used to produce plastic cups, food containers, toys, etc. PS plastic has low recyclability and can be recycled into other products. products such as plastic panels, insulation materials, etc.
• Number 7: Other plastics (Other): This type of plastic includes plastics that do not belong to the above plastic types, such as ABS plastic, acrylic plastic, polycarbonate plastic, etc. The recyclability of these plastics depends on each specific type.

Source: Internet

In addition to the numbers 1 to 7, some plastic products may have an arrow symbol and the letter "M". This symbol indicates that this plastic product is made from recycled plastic.

Sorting and recycling plastic is an important solution to reduce environmental pollution. By sorting and recycling plastic, we can help reduce the amount of plastic released into the environment, while saving natural resources and protecting human health.

4. Measures to reduce plastic waste

Plastic waste is one of the most pressing environmental problems today. To limit plastic waste, the cooperation of everyone is needed, from individuals and families to businesses and governments. Together with EQUO, you can implement some of the following practical measures to limit plastic waste:

4.1. Replace plastic with environmentally friendly products

This is the simplest and most effective measure to limit plastic waste. Instead of using disposable plastic products, we can replace them with environmentally friendly products such as:

• Spoons, chopsticks, and forks made of coffee grounds, sugarcane bagasse, bamboo, and wood instead of plastic spoons and chopsticks.
• Straws are made from natural materials such as rice, coconut, bagasse, coffee grounds, and grass instead of disposable plastic straws.
• Food containers made of bagasse, glass, and stainless steel instead of plastic containers.
• Glass, stainless steel, ceramic water bottles instead of plastic bottles.

EQUO - Product Solutions To Replace Environmentally Protective Plastic

EQUO is a sustainable brand, specializing in producing basic household items made from natural materials such as rice, sugarcane bagasse, coffee grounds, almond grass, coconut, etc.

With the desire to contribute to reducing plastic waste, EQUO provides consumers with perfect alternatives to conventional plastic products, including:

• Collection of self-destructing straws
• Set of knives, spoons, forks with coffee grounds and sugarcane bagasse
• Food containers made from sugarcane bagasse
• Environmentally friendly fabric handbags

Using EQUO products is a simple way to contribute to environmental protection. Please visit EQUO's store via the following link:

>> https://shopequo.com/collections

4.2. Bring cloth bags, food containers, and water bottles when shopping

Every day, we often go shopping for necessities for life. Instead of using plastic bags, plastic containers, and plastic bottles, we can carry cloth bags, food containers, and personal water bottles. This is a positive choice, not only bringing many benefits to yourself but also contributing to protecting the environment.

Source: Internet

Bringing cloth bags, food containers, and personal water bottles when shopping is a small but significant action in protecting the environment. Let's join hands in taking this action to contribute to building a clean and beautiful green living environment.

4.3. Propagate and raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic waste

Propagating and raising awareness about the harmful effects of plastic waste is one of the important solutions to reduce plastic pollution. Through propaganda activities, people will better understand the harmful effects of plastic waste, thereby becoming more conscious of using and disposing of plastic waste.

Source: Internet

Forms of propaganda and awareness raising about the harmful effects of plastic waste can be implemented in a variety of ways, suitable for each subject and location, such as:

• Propaganda on mass media (press, radio, television, social networks, etc.).
• Organize conferences, seminars, trainings, forums, etc.
• Direct propaganda at schools, agencies, businesses, etc.
• Organize extracurricular activities, volunteering, etc.

To effectively propagate and raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic waste, there needs to be close coordination between all levels, sectors, organizations, unions, and the entire community. Propaganda activities must be carried out regularly, and continuously, with a focus and focus, aiming to change people's awareness, behavior, and habits.

Plastic waste is a serious environmental problem that needs to be addressed urgently. To completely solve the problem of plastic waste, the cooperation of everyone is needed, from individuals and families to businesses and governments. EQUO is proud to be one of the pioneering enterprises in the production of basic household appliances made from natural materials such as rice, sugarcane bagasse, coffee grounds, almond grass, etc. EQUO products contribute to reducing plastic waste and protecting the environment and human health.