Recycling can be a powerful tool for creating value and reducing waste, but it is often hindered by contamination. When recycling streams are contaminated with non-recyclable materials, it can significantly reduce the value of the recyclables and make it more difficult to process. One solution to this problem is to create smaller, more dedicated recycling groups that are committed to “recycling right” and are more motivated to pay attention to the do’s and don’ts of recycling. These groups can not only produce cleaner and more valuable recycling streams, but they can also create a sense of community and provide new revenue streams.
Jim Bunchuck, the Solid Waste Coordinator of the Southold, New York transfer station, explained that the cost of processing recyclables in Southold, New York is currently $34/ton, but this price can be significantly reduced if the recycling stream is free of contaminants. When residents bring their recycling to the Cutchogue transfer station instead of using curbside pickup, they are more likely to pay attention to the do’s and don’ts of recycling, resulting in cleaner streams that are worth around $10-$15/ton. This is because contamination significantly reduces the value of recyclables and can even lead to entire batches being sent to landfills.
However, when the town collected and shipped single-stream recyclables, the problem worsened as processing facilities became overwhelmed with non-recyclable waste. To solve this problem, it is important to create smaller groups of dedicated recyclers who are committed to “recycling right” and opt-in to the process. This can help to produce higher value recycling streams and build community, as well as create new revenue streams. By working together and utilizing resources from organizations like Precious Plastic and drop-off centers, we can all play a role in maximizing the potential of recycling and creating a more sustainable future.
Another organization working to facilitate this type of community-based recycling is Precious Plastic, which has gained viral fame on TikTok for turning everyday plastics into usable products like lamps and building materials. Precious Plastic provides resources and tutorials on how to safely build and operate processing machinery, as well as how to start a business selling recycled materials. They focus on HDPE, LDPE, PP, PS, and mixed plastics, which are often avoided by traditional recycling facilities.
Precious Plastic uses a process called thermoforming to shape and cut plastic into usable products. The cost of building the necessary processing machinery is relatively low, at around €1,000 to €1,650, and the total cost for a new machine shop is estimated at under €10,000. These costs are significantly lower than those of traditional material recovery facilities, which can cost millions of dollars to construct and operate. The use of low-cost machinery also makes recycling more accessible, profitable, and efficient.
Hard plastic recycling complements government recycling efforts. While the government does not accept the same materials as independent organizations like Precious Plastic, independent recycling communities can still make a positive impact on the industry and local communities. Precious Plastic believes in collaborative innovation, and independent recycling can expand the industry by working alongside mainstream recycling rather than competing with it. This expansion can create new jobs in material collection, sales, and operations, and demonstrates the power of communities to improve their own recycling systems without relying on the government or corporations. Instead of solely investing in large-scale technology and hoping for economies of scale, communities can choose to take an active role in their own recycling efforts.
Sources:
Ferrario, Matteo. “Plastics for Change.” Plastics for Change, 20 May 2021, www.plasticsforchange.org/blog/which-plastic-can-be-recycled.
“Thomas on TikTok.” TikTok, vm.tiktok.com/ZTdg5bJ1W/.
“Say Hi to the Precious Plastic Universe.” Preciousplastic.com, preciousplastic.com//.
Barrett, Axel. “Mechanical vs Chemical Recycling.” Bioplastics News, 20 Nov. 2020, bioplasticsnews.com/2020/11/20/difference-mechanical-chemical-recycling/.