Characteristics of Plastics and Suggestions for a Local Plastic Recycling System

Kumagai Shogo, Yoshioka Toshiaki

doi:10.3985/mcwmr.25.124

We rely on various types of plastics to support our modern lifestyles. With the innovations happening in the field of petrochemical technology, plastic production is diversifying day by day. However, the current plastic recycling law in Japan, known as “Act on the Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging” (Containers and Packaging Recycling Law), is defining the priorities behind plastic recycling techniques (mechanical recycling > feedstock recycling > energy recovery) without taking into consideration the properties of these different waste plastics. In order to improve the rate of recycling in the future for so-called “material” resources, the law must study the properties of such waste plastics as a means of selecting the most suitable recycling methods. Furthermore, because waste plastics are being collected from faraway locations for “recycling,” the system is actually wasting energy which could be used for improving recycling techniques and systems. Firstly, this work reviews the characteristics of plastics and presents the current situation for each of the plastic recycling methods. There is a special focus on oil production. As a contribution to the ongoing brainstorming regarding the ideal recycling system of the future, we next go on to suggest a local-circulation version of the “Containers and Packaging Recycling Law.” The significance of this recommendation is discussed along with possibilities for its implementation.

Characteristics of Plastics and Suggestions for a Local Plastic Recycling System

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