Recycling Plastics

One of the biggest issues with manufacturing polymers is their

ability to be disposed of

There are 3 ways in which this disposal happens are:

Landfill SitesBurningRecyling

Landfill Sites

• Plastics are non biodegradable

• Micro-organisms have no effect on them

• Will not rot

• Started to look into biodegradable plastics and polymers

Burning

• Burning plastics causes air pollution

• Contributes the greenhouse effects

• Results in global warming

• Many plastics would produce toxic fumes

Recycling PlasticsRecycling Plastics

We produce and use 20 times more plastic today than we did 50 years

ago!

Each year, in the UK, a total of approximately 4.7 million tonnes of plastic products were used in various economic

sectors

One tonne of plastics is equivalent to 20,000 two litre drinks bottles or 120,000 carrier bags.

• Only about 7% of waste plastics are being recycled

• This is a start however, since all plastics are recyclable

• This is a more economic and environmentally friendly option!