So far, the entire concept if recycling plastic has been invented by Big Plastic to appease consumers that started being worried about it years ago. Plastic is barely being recycled right now because it's simply not economical despite government investment to make up for economical shortcomings. Rich countries end up shipping tons of plastics to poor countries, where the stuff gets buried or burned despite promises of recycling. The few plastics that do manage to get recycled can only be recycled a few times because the quality degrades across the process.
I hope this technology can fix the problem, but I've seen more of these revolutionary technologies in the news over the last decade. They all promise to make plastic recycling viable and say it's really going to happen this time. Only being able to recycle PET is a nice start but in practice humans absolutely suck at separating waste (and companies constantly mix plastic types, making it even harder if you really care).
I don't see any way out other than reduction of plastic use. So far, the entire plastic separation and recycling process is built on lies and deceit to make consumers think they're being more environmentally friendly than they really are. I'd be amazed if this plastic recycling technology of the month will finally chance that.
I hope this technology can fix the problem, but I've seen more of these revolutionary technologies in the news over the last decade. They all promise to make plastic recycling viable and say it's really going to happen this time. Only being able to recycle PET is a nice start but in practice humans absolutely suck at separating waste (and companies constantly mix plastic types, making it even harder if you really care).
I don't see any way out other than reduction of plastic use. So far, the entire plastic separation and recycling process is built on lies and deceit to make consumers think they're being more environmentally friendly than they really are. I'd be amazed if this plastic recycling technology of the month will finally chance that.