Why can’t we recycle plastic by simply melting and remolding it, like we do with metal?

Question

Why can’t we recycle plastic by simply melting and remolding it, like we do with metal?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

when you heat it up enough to remold it, part of it burns away.

this problem only gets worse the less pure it is, especialy if there is food waste.

with metal, the impurities are the ones that burn.