In the article “Duo Turned Plastic Waste into a Concrete Idea,” Goy
(2016) explains that the company BlueRen discovered a method of integrating
carbon nanotubes from converted plastic waste into cement through a sustainable
method. The article quotes co-founder Aravind Muthiah, who explains that their
“technology is about upcycling, and converts plastic waste into high-value
products.” The process turns plastics into hydrocarbon gases, creating the
carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are beneficial due to their characteristics
that can aid in the reduction of cement by 30% in concrete. Despite the
multiple benefits, usage is constrained as the nanotubes are expensive and
release harmful gases. To combat these issues, BlueRen came out with a
recycling process using an alternative mineral as a catalyst that is less
harmful to the environment. BlueRen plans to expand on their prototype and to
commercialise its technology. While the author mentioned the multiple
benefits of carbon nanotubes, there are still significant environmental impacts
from plastic recycling that the author did not discuss in detail.
One example of environmental impact that the author did not mention is the production of volatile organic compound (VOC). According to Soffar (2016), VOC is one is the environmental impacts upon melting plastic. Government of Canada stated that VOCs are organic compounds that have high vapour pressures and can evaporate readily into the atmosphere. When VOCs are released into the atmosphere, they are one of the main sources for the formation of ground level ozone and its particulate matter causes smog. Furthermore, VOCs are also toxic to plants and animals that are near to the site. Usage of the recycled plastics containing VOCs poses serious health risk to users.
The production of Plastic Resin is another example of environmental
impacts from the process. They are produced from the manufacturing and
recycling process, and can seep into food that is stored in the recycled plastic
containers. The amount of harmful chemicals
that users absorb can increase based on certain factors like temperature, types
of plastic and the plastic age. This environmental issue are related
to the health issues and it causes damages to the liver, kidneys and
central nervous system.
Another source of environmental impact is the unrecyclable plastic waste found during the recycling process. Hartman (2017) mentioned that recycling centre employees might find unrecyclable plastics and discard them improperly. Unrecyclable plastic includes plastic that consist of food waste or debris. Plastic in general are not considered under hazardous waste and recycling it is not mandatory, such waste can be improbably discarded and plastic waste problem continues.
According to Hartman (2017), he mentioned that the potential health
threats that recycled plastic present makes are causing downcycling. Instead of
recycled plastics becoming a useful product like plastic cups, it becomes a
different and less useful product. Recycled plastic limited use is not
favourable as it loses out to new plastics and other recycled
materials. After the plastic has been recycled once, they are usually
ineligible for another round of recycling. This would mean that the
recycled plastics will eventually end up in the landfill despite after it
being made into a less useful product. Downcycling is just delaying the
inevitable process of plastics ending up in the landfill as the industries
constantly demand for new plastic.
In general, BlueRen’s technology is about convert plastic waste into high value
product and this technology will eliminate downcycling. Although carbon
nanotubes can be effective and readily available, the mentioned environmental
impacts from plastic recycling should be taken into serious considerations. The
continual of recycling plastic will only worsen the impacts that are already
present. (596 words)
References:
Soffar, H. Plastic
recycling advantages and disadvantages. (July 28, 2016) Science online.
Retrieved, February 04, 2018 from
Hartman, D. The
Disadvantages of Recycled Plastics. (April
24, 2017) Sciencing. Retrieved, February
04, 2018 from
Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs). (August 23, 2017) U.S.
National Library of Medicine. Retrieved, February 04, 2018 from
Environmental Effects of
Plastic Pollution. (n.d.) Goecopure. Retrieved,
February 04, 2018 from
Plastics Recycling. (December 8, 2008). Zerowastesg. Retrieved, February 04, 2018 from
Volatile organic compounds overview. (June 22, 2017). Government of
Canada. Retrieved February 04,
2018 from
Richards, H. Plastic Recycling: The Process, Advantages and
Disadvantages. (August 05, 2014 ). 33rd Square. Retrieved (February 04, 2018) from
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