Why recyclable is important!
The corona outbreak has reduced demand for plastics in the automotive, consumer and construction sectors, the recyclers say. But even before the corona crisis, the situation was already dire because of low oil prices.
Plastic is made from oil so when the price of oil is low, the price of new plastic is also low.
Major manufacturers say that there are disadvantages to processing recycled plastic, such as smell, colour and quality, and it’s more expensive now. Unfortunately, companies still often opt for the cheaper new plastic. If there is no economic advantage to recycling, then the market is doing its job.
Still we see many companies within New Zealand who believe strong in recycling and using this opportunity to make new products from our waste.
The difference between recycle and recyclable is that when recycle, a product could be made into something different or moves on to another stage in life, and with recyclable you are using the material again, with the purpose of creating new products made from the same material, without sourcing raw material.
Plastic that softens during warm temperatures and stays hard in the cold, also called thermoplastic is easier to recycle because you can deform it if you make it hot enough. PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) is used for many different bottles, containers, garments and carpet fibers. HDPE (high density polyethylene) is also included. This is also used for bottles, but also in packaging and products such as containers and fuel tanks.
Whereas a few years ago the recycled plastics were mostly dumped or incinerated, and recycling was mostly used in a low-grade manner, it is now used in a high-quality way in, for example, the automotive industry. We must permanently reduce the use of primary raw materials by taking recycling to the next stage.
Why are we still producing new plastic when recycled plastic can be reused?
When most types of plastic are shredded, melted and processed during mechanical recycling, they deteriorate in quality. Plastic is a big long molecule, and if it is chopped into smaller pieces, or oxidized and chemically altered as a result, the properties will no longer be the same. Normally, plastic can only be mechanically recycled a few times before it is broken down too much to be reused.
In addition, you have to take into account pollution. The dyes and additives used in the production of plastic do not dissolve during mechanical recycling. This also applies to possible residues of goods stored in plastic packaging. The recycled material can turn black or grey and can also retain the smell of the product that was in the plastic packaging, making it difficult to reuse.
We are pleased to know that a company called Forward Plastics takes great pride and passion in recycling plastic again into new products. Their philosophy is to close the loop by using PCR – Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic.
What this means is that plastics that have been collected in commercial and residential recycling programs, are being transformed into new plastic bottles or containers without using raw material.
A great example how they are using this are all the plastic bottles for Will&Able.
Will&Able is a Social Enterprise with the focus to create jobs for people with disabilities. They are selling NZ made,
eco-friendly cleaning products, all packed in bottles made from 100% recycled NZ milk bottles. They also have a closed loop initiative in which customers can send back used bottles and they will be given back to Forward Plastics to be grinded back down and made into new bottles. They are also looking into a reuse model where they can wash returned used bottles to be cleaned and refilled.
The beauty behind this story is that all profit goes directly back to creating more jobs for people with disabilities. You can find out more about them on their website https://willandable.co.nz/ to help support their environmental and social initiatives and closed loop solution.
As a marketing company, Off The Wall Marketing aims to play a proactive and leading role in the use of sustainable and renewable products in advertising and packaging.
We believe that creativity and a different mindset could improve your business becoming more sustainable.
Feel free to call if you like to know more about us.
Andre Hendriks 021 0734711
www.offthewallmarketing.co.nz
info@offthewallmarketing.co.nz