As environmental concerns, particularly in the plastics industry, remain at the forefront of packaging decisions, recycling plays an increasingly important role in the effort to reduce packaging discards and overall solid waste levels – Businesses and brand owners may make a difference in the workplace by setting a positive example. The following is a guest post from our friends at Northern California Compactors, Inc., who outline five main environmental benefits of plastic recycling:
Plastic is a versatile material that has provided us with numerous advantages in terms of maintaining a clean, healthy, and efficient lifestyle. The act of recycling plastics can make a significant difference, and consumers must be aware of the benefits of recycling on both an environmental and economic level. Plastic product users have a chance to make a difference, and corporations and brand owners can take the lead. Businesses may minimize hazardous waste output, cut waste management costs, and create profits by selling recycled plastic products, which are gradually gaining demand in many markets if they use the right plastic recycling strategy. Consider the following five important advantages of plastic recycling for businesses:
-
Pollution is reduced across ecosystems.
Greenhouse gases are a major contributor to rising levels of pollution in our environment. They are the main force behind climate change, a critical issue that the entire world is attempting to address today. This emits a significant amount of greenhouse gases. As a result of recycling plastic rather than making it from the start.
Plastic garbage is responsible for the death of thousands of animals on land, in water, and in the sea due to ingestion, in addition to poisoning land, water, and soil with hazardous chemicals. Plastic recycling helps to cut down on the amount of plastic waste produced. As a result, pollution is decreased, and many food-chain-critical animal species are preserved.
-
It uses less energy and contributes to the conservation of natural resources.
Manufacturing plastic from scratch consumes a lot more energy than items created from recycled plastic. The energy saved can be put to better use in other areas of the economy. Furthermore, raw materials like water, petroleum, natural gas. As a result, plastic recycling conserves natural resources. For example, petroleum, which is essential for the manufacture of new plastic products, can be decreased by recycling discarded. And old plastic garbage by up to 40%.
-
Saves Landfill Space That Is Quickly Depleting
Landfill sites are rapidly disappearing. Habitable land is becoming more precious with each passing day due to the expanding human population. Plastic reuse and recycling as part of waste management can save a lot of landfill space. Recycled plastic saves 7.4 cubic yards of landfill area every tonne.
-
Reduces Fossil Fuel Consumption Demand
Recycling plastics is the most environmentally friendly way to cut down on fossil fuel consumption. Because crude oil is a finite natural resource, recycling plastic and recovering as much raw material as possible can help to significantly reduce crude oil use. Furthermore, recycling plastic saves energy. According to Stanford University research, a tonne of recycled plastic saves 7,200 kilowatt-hours of electricity, or nearly enough energy to power a home for seven months.
-
Encourages a Sustainable Way of Life
Businesses have a huge influence on how people live in the communities where they operate. Businesses that work with internal and external stakeholders. Creating awareness of the benefits of plastic reuse and recycling will surely make a significant difference in environmental conservation.
The situation is steadily improving due to technological developments in waste management for plastic recycling. Even at an industrial level, it is now relatively simple to plastic recycling.
Suggested Read: Swachh Bharat Mission projects in Jharkhand
