Plastic: Rethink, Recycle, Reuse

Here at Cheshire Demolition, we’re passionate about responsible waste management and building a sustainable future. Plastic is a fantastic material, but it’s only fantastic if we manage it properly. That’s where recycling comes in.

This article will explore the importance of plastic recycling and the damage plastic pollution can cause if not disposed of correctly. We’ll also unveil the journey your plastic takes after it leaves your recycling bin, and how it can be transformed into something new and amazing.

Why Recycle Plastic?

Plastic is a valuable resource, but traditional production processes require a lot of energy and raw materials. Recycling offers a chance to give plastic a second life, with incredible benefits for our planet:

• • Energy Conservation
  Making new plastic from scratch is energy-intensive. Recycling plastic uses significantly less energy – up to 75% less in the case of plastic bottles.
• • Reducing Demand for Raw Materials
  Recycling plastic reduces our reliance on extracting new resources like oil and gas. This protects our natural environment and valuable ecosystems.
• • Reduced Fossil Fuel Consumption
  Less reliance on virgin plastics means less drilling and refining of fossil fuels, leading to a lower carbon footprint.
• • CO2 Emission Reduction
  Recycling cuts down on the greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional plastic production.

The Bigger Picture: How Plastic Pollution Affects the Environment

Plastic that escapes the recycling stream has devastating consequences for our environment:

• • Polluted Oceans
  Millions of tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans every year, harming marine life, birds, and entering the food chain.
• • Landfill Overflow
  Landfills are reaching capacity, and plastic takes hundreds of years to break down, taking up valuable space.
• • Habitat Destruction
  Plastic pollution disrupts natural habitats and ecosystems, impacting wildlife and biodiversity.

The Journey of Your Recycled Plastic

So, what happens to your plastic after it leaves your recycling bin? Here’s a sneak peek:

1. Collection: Your plastic is collected with other recyclables.
2. Sorting: At a recycling facility, different types of plastic are sorted.
3. Cleaning: The plastic is cleaned and processed to remove contaminants.
4. Reshaping: The plastic is crushed, melted, and transformed into pellets.
5. New Life! These plastic pellets are used to create a wide variety of new products, from clothing and shoes to furniture and building materials.

Big brands are embracing recycled plastic. Patagonia uses recycled plastic for their clothes, and Everlane offers bags made from recycled water bottles. These are just a couple of examples – the possibilities are ever-expanding.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Recycling plastic might seem like a small action, but remember, millions of people around the world recycle every day. Collectively, this makes a huge difference. By making small changes in our behaviour, we can create a significant positive impact on a global scale.

The Future of Recycled Plastic: Emerging Technologies and Trends

The future of recycled plastic is exciting! New technologies are constantly emerging, allowing us to recycle a wider variety of plastics and create even more innovative products. For example, chemical recycling can break down plastic into its basic building blocks, enabling the creation of virgin-quality plastic from recycled materials.

Let’s Get Recycling

We can all be part of the solution. Here are some tips for recycling plastic effectively:

1. Know What You Can Recycle: Check your local council’s guidelines for accepted plastics in your recycling bin.
2. Rinse and Recycle: Give your plastic recyclables a quick rinse to remove food or drink residue.
3. Squash It! Squash plastic bottles and containers to save space in your bin.
4. Don’t Wishcycle! Only put accepted plastics in your recycling bin. Contaminated recycling can ruin entire batches.

Recycling isn’t just about plastic. Here at Cheshire Demolition, we encourage responsible waste management of all materials. We’re proud to say that over 99.9% of the materials brought to our waste sorting and transfer station are recycled, repurposed, or reused.

By making informed choices and embracing a culture of recycling, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future.