Eli5 why are so few plastics recyclable? Why cant you just melt it down and reuse it like glass?
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The plastics that *are* recyclable can be melted down because when they are made, they don’t undergo a chemical change. They simply get melted, formed into a shape, and then cool/harden. (thermoplastic polymer)
The plastics that *are not* recyclable *cannot* be melted down because when they are made they undergo a chemical reaction that causes them to hold their shape and harden. Once that chemical reaction has occurred, it can’t easily be reversed by simple reheating. (thermosetting polymer)
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