It is no secret that plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. With millions of tons of plastic waste being produced every year, it is clear that something needs to be done to reduce our reliance on this polluting material. One way to do this is to increase the use of recycled plastic in product manufacturing. Simply defined, recycled plastic is made from waste plastic that has been collected and reprocessed into new plastic pellets or flakes. This recycled material can then be used to create new products for applications in various sectors. So, what are the benefits of using plastic that are recycled than virgin plastic? Read the post to know more.
Benefits of Using Recycled Plastic Over Virgin Plastic
Everyone has heard about the importance of recycling plastic. But how important is it really? Let us take a look at the numbers. Every year, we produce about 300 million tons of plastic. Of that, only about 9% is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills or as litter. That’s a lot of waste! Now, let us compare that to recycled plastic. Recycled plastic costs about less than 50% virgin plastic and it takes 80% less energy to produce. That’s a big difference! So, why aren’t more companies using recycled plastic? Well, it’s not always easy to find and it can be hard to know if it’s up to the same quality standards as virgin plastic. But given the environmental and cost benefits, it is definitely worth considering for your next product.
There are many benefits to using plastic that is recycled instead of virgin plastic. For one, it helps to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and the ocean. The other noteworthy benefits include;
- Conserves Natural Resources and Energy:
It takes less energy to recycle plastic than it does to create virgin plastic. This means that recycling plastic can help conserve natural resources and energy. When recycled plastic is used instead of virgin plastic, the process of extraction and refining fossil fuels is avoided. This reduces emissions of greenhouse gases, which are the main drivers of climate change. Overall, recycling process of plastic is more environmentally-friendly option than using virgin plastic. It conserves natural resources and energy, and generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
- Reduces Human-Generated Non-Biodegradable Trash:
The amount of plastic produced each year is staggering, and a large portion of it is not recyclable. This non-biodegradable plastic ends up in landfills where it can take centuries to break down. In the meantime, it leaches harmful chemicals into the ground and water. On the other hand, as previously mentioned recycled plastic is made from previously used plastic that has been cleaned and processed. This helps to conserve energy, whilst reducing trash.
- Saves Cost:
It’s no secret that plastic production can be costly, both in terms of money and environmental impact. However, what many people don’t know is that using recycled plastic can actually help save on production costs. This is because recycling takes less energy and resources than producing new plastic. In fact, plastic that is recycled costs about 20-30% less than virgin plastic. So, not only is using recycled ones more environmentally friendly, it can also be more economical for your business.
- Reduces Carbon Emissions:
Plastic is a versatile and affordable material that has transformed our world. Unfortunately, it also takes a toll on the environment. Plastic production accounts for around 10% of the world’s carbon budget, and if we continue on our current trajectory, plastics will account for 13% of global emissions by 2050. Although, the use of recycled plastic has many benefits over virgin plastic, the most significant benefit is that it helps to cutting climate-changing carbon emissions.
- Improve Brand Image:
When recycled plastic is used in manufacturing new products, it helps to improve the brand image by tagging their product as eco-friendly. This would require a bit more effort, but the results would be worth it. The company would not only be doing its part to help the environment, but it would also be improving its brand image. There are several companies are selling recycled ones for the benefit of plastic product manufactures. If you are planning to use recycled plastic in your manufacturing process, it is important to get the material from a trusted source like Mid Continent Plastics, which is a leading plastic resin supplier handling a variety of thermoplastic resins. The company can supply you recycled plastic resins in any quantity depending on your application requirements.
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