Beyond Landfills: A Sustainable Plastic Waste Strategy
07/16/2024
Written By: Josh Jones
The Current Crisis of Plastic Waste
Imagine a future where every corner of our planet is littered with plastic waste—oceans teeming with debris, landscapes marred by mountains of discarded materials, and landfills overflowing beyond capacity. This isn't a distant dystopia; it's a real possibility if we continue down our current path.
Without immediate and decisive action from businesses and individuals alike, plastic waste will overwhelm our world, with dire consequences for the environment and future generations. The situation is alarming, but the solution is within our reach. It's time for companies to take recycling seriously and make sustainable practices the norm.
Plastic waste is a constant problem, especially in the U.S. where there is an influx of recyclable plastic to deal with. This surge is primarily due to China closing its borders to foreign waste, leading to more plastic in U.S. landfills. Simultaneously, virgin resin producers continue to innovate, making new plastic cheaper and more attractive than recycled alternatives. The industry's lack of environmental conscience, coupled with limited government action, exacerbates the problem, leaving the U.S. with mountains of plastic waste.
The Economic Dilemma: Recycling vs. Landfill Disposal
Every day, businesses face a tough choice: pay higher costs to recycle plastic scrap or opt for the cheaper disposal route in landfills. With falling prices for recycled plastics and rising labor costs, many companies find landfill disposal more economical. If we do not address this trend, it could lead to a future where all plastic scrap is sent to landfills, negating the efforts of certain companies like Extera.
Legislative Action: A Necessary Step Forward
One potential solution is to impose a tax on virgin resins, making recycled materials a more attractive and economical choice. This approach has seen success in other areas; for example, taxing cigarettes reduced smoking rates, and similar taxes on junk food aim to combat obesity. A tax on virgin resins could incentivize companies to use recycled materials, thus fostering a more sustainable plastic market.
Some countries require the use of recycled plastic in products, and the U.S. could adopt this by imposing taxes on domestically sold virgin resin while reducing export taxes. This could balance the economic playing field without discouraging exporters, promoting a more sustainable industry.
Innovative Technologies: Shaping the Future of Recycling
Recent advancements in recycling technologies, particularly for PET plastics, show great promise in addressing the challenges of plastic waste. New methods enable the recycling of colored PET plastics, which were previously difficult to process. These innovations can improve recycling programs' efficiency and economic viability, making it easier for companies to choose recycled materials over virgin resins. Embracing these technologies is crucial for fostering a circular economy and reducing our reliance on landfills.
Extera's Commitment: Leading by Example
At Extera, we are not just witnessing this crisis—we are actively working to solve it. We designed our recycling and buy-back program to make recycling more accessible and financially viable for businesses. We turn potential waste into valuable resources by purchasing, processing, and recycling industrial and post-industrial high-density plastics, resins, foams, and more. Our toll grinding service ensures high-quality plastic pellets, chips, and flakes, ready for reuse in manufacturing.
Plastics are designed to be reused, yet we often fall short of this potential. By implementing strategic taxes and encouraging the use of recycled materials, we can give our environment and recycling efforts a fighting chance. The time to act is now, and it begins with making conscious, impactful changes in our business practices.
Have a broken bin or excess plastic scrap? Don't throw it away—let us help you recycle and repurpose it. With Extera's recycling programs, get credit for new products and be a part of the solution. Together, we can turn the tide on plastic waste and create a sustainable future.
