How Does Plastic Scrap Recycling Help the Society and Environment?
June 19 08:09:34, 2025
Plastics have long been a staple material in both commercial and industrial sectors due to their widespread availability, moldability, affordability, and adaptability. Their extensive use has surged over recent years, as industries and consumers rely heavily on plastics for everything from everyday items like bottles and food containers to larger applications such as furniture and electronics. However, this convenience comes at a cost. Plastic pollution has become a global crisis, with nearly 90% of Earth's water bodies contaminated by plastic debris. Estimates suggest there are 46,000 plastic fragments per square mile, emphasizing the urgent need for plastic recycling.
In the U.S., plastic recycling has taken center stage, particularly as the nation is one of the largest consumers of bottled water, with Americans drinking 9.67 billion gallons in 2012 alone. This consumption trend underscores why recycling has become essential. Beyond environmental concerns, plastic recycling also plays a crucial role in conserving resources and creating economic opportunities.
The Environmental Protection Agency highlights that plastic waste accounted for 12% of total municipal solid waste in 2007 and rose to 13% by 2013, totaling over 30 million tons annually. Recycling offers numerous advantages:
Firstly, energy conservation is a key benefit. Producing bottled water requires significantly more energy than tap water—up to 2,000 times more per pint. This stems from the energy-intensive processes involved in extracting and processing petroleum, a primary component of plastics. Recycling one ton of plastic can save 7,200 kilowatt-hours of electricity, conserve 685 gallons of oil, and prevent 98 million British thermal units (Btu) from being wasted. These savings help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels while protecting the environment.
Secondly, recycling helps mitigate landfill congestion. Plastics are notoriously slow to degrade, often taking up to a century in landfills. Recycling accelerates decomposition and transforms discarded materials into new products, freeing up valuable space. For instance, one ton of recycled plastic can save over 7.4 cubic yards of landfill capacity.
Thirdly, recycling protects wildlife. Marine life is particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution. Sea turtles and seabirds frequently mistake plastic particles for food, leading to ingestion and potential harm. Additionally, discarded fishing nets can trap marine creatures, impeding their movement and access to food. Recycling reduces the volume of plastic entering ecosystems, safeguarding animal and plant species.
Economically, recycling generates more jobs than landfilling. Research indicates that disposing of 10,000 tons of plastic creates six jobs, whereas recycling generates 36. The industry spans diverse roles, including material sorters, logistics personnel, and chemists. As plastic pollution escalates, investments in innovative recycling methods continue to expand job opportunities. Statistics show that workers in the recycling sector often earn higher wages than those in the automotive industry.
If your business involves plastics, transitioning to recycled materials can significantly reduce carbon footprints and support sustainability efforts. Partnering with reputable suppliers ensures quality and reliability. Mid Continent Plastics stands out as a leading distributor of eco-friendly recycled plastics in the U.S., offering a broad selection of sustainable options.
By embracing plastic recycling, businesses contribute not only to environmental health but also to societal progress. As awareness grows, the demand for recycled plastics will likely increase, driving innovation and fostering a cleaner future.
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Weathering steel, i.e. atmospheric corrosion-resistant steel(Corten Steel), is a series of low-alloy steel between ordinary steel and stainless steel. Weathering steel is made of ordinary carbon steel with a small amount of corrosion-resistant elements such as copper and nickel. It has the characteristics of toughness, plasticity, forming, welding and cutting, abrasion, high temperature and fatigue resistance of high-quality steel. The weathering resistance is 2-8 times of ordinary carbon steel and the coating performance is 1.5-10 times of ordinary carbon steel. At the same time, it has the characteristics of rust resistance, corrosion resistance, life extension, thinning and consumption reduction, labor saving and energy saving. Weathering steel is mainly used in railway, vehicle, bridge, tower, photovoltaic, high-speed engineering and other steel structures exposed to the atmosphere for a long time. It is used to manufacture containers, railway vehicles, oil derricks, seaport buildings, oil production platforms and containers containing hydrogen sulfide corrosive medium in chemical and petroleum equipme.