Why can’t we recycle plastic in the same way we do for metal? Melt it and remold it?
In: Technology
This is a great question and one that more people should be asking:)
It start with the fact that not all plastics are the same, there’s all types that can’t be mixed together.
So first off we need a better recycling system. For instance one where you would get money for the plastic waste you turn in. Like you get money for metals you recycle.
Another thing is that with metals, because of the price difference it is neatly sorted. You’ll get a lot more money for copper then for mild steel for instance.
Now to be able to do this we should get better at identifying plastics. You could start by learning how to identify the different types by looking at the recycling triangles!
they should be on every plastic part you have and they can help you id the plastic.
Now, you should also know that not all types of plastic are easily or even cleanly recyclable. But for the ones that are, yes we could melt them and remold them but, like you couldn’t melt copper and steel together, you cannot melt HDPE and PA together:)
If you’re interested in all this be sure to check out Dave Hakkens and the project ‘precious plastic’!
(HDPE is one of my favorites bc you can actually, safely, recycle that in your own oven:)
Latest Answers