Recycling Plastic Bags

Recycling plastic products is one of the very good ways to control environmental pollution. Plastic bags are used on a large scale globally for a variety of purposes. They are manufactured from low density polythene that is a non-biodegradable product. So you can very well speculate the intensity of damage that will be caused when these products accumulate after use. Moreover, to meet such high consumer demands, a lot of energy is required to manufacture them. Thus, the need arises for recycling plastic bags so that they can be used over and again.

Recycling Plastic Bags ~ Facts

You will be surprised to know that around 89 billion plastic bags are used in the U.S. annually, and from the data of the Environmental Protection Agency it has been found out that 12% of plastic bags have been recycled in the year 2007. About 80% of the polythene is produced from natural gas for manufacturing plastic and therefore we can fairly estimate the amount of energy consumed in the process. Plastic bags when deposited on the ground clog landfills since it is very difficult to degrade them. They are also harmful to aquatic species when accumulated in water bodies like streams, rivers, ponds and oceans. Plastic bags manufactured from either low or high density polyethylene can be recycled in supermarkets or at local councils providing this service.

Now let us come to the actual process of recycling plastic. Plastic is an oil based product and the production process employs large-scale consumption of oil. Thus, recycling plastic or reusing it, actually saves the exhaustible sources of energy. Moreover, we are preventing it from getting deposited in soil, on land and in water bodies. Recycled plastic can be used for a number of purposes. It can be reused for making handmade goods like toys or can be used to make baskets, rugs, mats and other household goods. Recycled plastics are also used for making cleansing brushes and scouring pads.

The benefits of recycling plastic bags are observed in almost every aspect of the environment. Plastic bags are non-biodegradable, they do not degrade naturally. However, they can be degraded by a chemical process known as photodegradation. During the process, small toxic products are formed that have an overall harmful impact on the environment. Thus, when you are using the plastic once again, you are saving the environment from these obnoxious products. Many cottage industries have spawned today that re-use plastic bags at an enormous scale. The recycling process involves 20%-40% less energy consumption for making new products. Manufacturing plastic uses large landfill space. With reused plastics this space wastage can be avoided. Preventing litter accumulation and piling of bags in water bodies is necessary. This can be achieved if they are deposited in an enclosed space and then lined for recycling. Also, photodegradation should be carried out in a secluded place and with care so that the toxic products released during the process do not harm biotic life.

You can also register as a member of one of the plastic recycling communities in your locality. You can store plastic bags and hand them over to grocery storekeepers to recycle them. There are curbside recycling programs which carry out plastic bags recycling. Some cottage industries which require plastic bags accept used ones. Giving them used plastic bags is a good way to promote recycling and reuse of plastic, thus avoiding wastage.

The cost of recycling depends on the type of plastic and the quantity of the plastic to be recycled. The rate further fluctuates depending upon the process employed for recycling. You can make an approximate estimation, that 1 ton plastic bags are recycled at the cost of US $4000. The cost will either be on the lower or higher side depending on the type of consumer goods manufactured.

The next time you buy a bag full of things, make sure you collect the plastic bags and deposit to them to your local grocery store for recycling.