Chemical Recycling

Chemical recycling is a process that breaks down plastic into its chemical components and repurposes those materials to create new products. This process is different from traditional mechanical recycling, which involves sorting, cleaning, and melting plastic to be used for the same purpose as before.

Chemical recycling allows for the recycling of colored, mixed, and contaminated plastics that would otherwise be discarded.

One of the main issues with chemical recycling is the potential for hazardous waste. Many of the chemicals used in chemical recycling processes are considered “highly toxic” by the EPA, and can cause health problems if not handled properly. Additionally, some of these chemicals can also be released into the environment during production or disposal, leading to further contamination.

Another issue with chemical recycling is its cost-effectiveness. The processes are often expensive and require specialized equipment and infrastructure that may not be available in many areas. Additionally, there may be limited incentives for companies to invest in this technology due to its high costs and uncertain returns on investment.

Finally, there is also some debate over whether or not producing fuel from plastic waste qualifies as true recycling under international definitions. Environmental groups have accused oil companies of trying to pass off their activities as “recycling” when they are actually just burning plastic for energy production.