Recycling Plastic Bottles in UAE - Research Paper Example

Recycling Plastic Bottles Name of the Student: Name of the Instructor: Name of the course: Code of the course: Submission date: Recycling Plastic Bottles 1.0 Introduction Sustainability is one of the issues which have taken the modern world by a fuss. Among the major things that have been seen as an appropriate means of ensuring that sustainability is upheld is the appropriate use of resources. With this, the world is able to impart lesser pressure on the scarce world resources. The other strategy which has been used to ensure that sustainability is upheld is the appropriate waste disposal and management. With the dire need for sustainability, recycling has come up as one of the most convenient measures of ensuring that there is an appropriate management of resources and also that there is an appropriate waste management system. Among the things which are recycled by a large scale in the world are plastics . Ideally, plastics were a major innovation in the world; bringing with them an alternative to naturally generated materials. With the research in material science, there have been major developments in the types and characteristics of plastic materials; hence making them a choice material in almost every activity in the modern world from the making of machine components to packaging materials, building materials to medical equipment (Hopewee, Dvorak & Kosior, 2009). Literally speaking, the next thing to you must have a plastic component. However, there is a problem with the disposal of plastics; hence leading to environmental pollution since the plastic materials is not organically degradable. The United Arab Emirates has also responded to the call for sustainability and has adopted recycling as one of the strategies aimed at reaching to this vision (Zafar, 2012). The following research paper will take a deep analysis on the recycling of plastics bottles in the United Arab Emirates. 2.0 Overview of Plastic Materials As indicated earlier, the development of the plastic materials has been done over time, hence leading to the many plastic materials of varying characteristics in the modern world. Basically, there are two types of plastic materials: thermoplastics and thermosetting. Thermoplastics are plastics which can be melted and remolded back. On the other hand, thermosetting do not melt, but instead crimp to hard substances and consequently cannot be remolded back to other products. Thermoplastics constitute 80% of plastics while thermosetting make up 20% of the plastics. Plastics are organic materials made up of interlinked polymers. The polymers are made up of monomers which are linked using chains (Practical Action, 2010). Thermosetting are made up of linear and branched polymers while thermosetting are made up of cross linked polymers. The following figure shows the various types of polymers. Figure 1 the structure of Different Polymers (Practical Action, 2010) The basics of recycling plastics lay on the breaking of the above chains and afterwards remolding the monomers to form several chains, hence several polymers. Due to the property of thermosetting discussed above, it is difficult to recycle them since they harden on heating as opposed to thermoplastics which melt on heating. The types of thermosetting in the market include the following: first is the common Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), High density Polyethylene (HDPE), low density Polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP),polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS). The of thermosetting in the market includes polyurethane (PU), epoxy and phenolics (Practical Action, 2010). Plastic bottles are mainly made up of PET, polystyrene, PVC. Therefore, the recycling of plastic bottles must take into account the various types of plastic bottles in the market. 3.0 Recycling of Plastics 3.1 Process of Recycling Plastics The UAE is embracing recycling drastically in an attempt to uphold sustainability. (Tandarova, 2009).The process of recycling plastics involves a series of several processes which are done in a specific system. The following section will indicate the several processes involved in the recycling of plastics. 3.1.1 Collection The collection process involves the sourcing of used plastic bottles for use in the recycling processes. The plastic bottles form the raw materials for the recycling plant. Due to the fact that the recycling of plastics is widely viewed as a proper waste management process, the main collection points are the waste disposal points for instance the waste disposal sites, households and other places where the use of plastic materials is in large use. In order for a recycling plant to be able to collect plastics with ease, it has to have a good plastic collections strategy which may for instance constitutes of collection points which collect plastics from a specific region. After the collection is done, the plastic materials have to be transported to the recycling plant where the processing takes place (Hopewee, Dvorak & Kosior, 2009). 3.1.2 Sorting Since the plastics collected are of different types, it is important to sort them accordingly. This ensures that the people recycling the plastics will be able to know the specific conditions too subject to specific plastic products accordingly to their characteristics when subjected to different recycling conditions (Jeavans, 2008). Therefore, the main basis of sorting plastics is their types. Moreover, the type of the products which the plastic materials held previously is also used to sort the materials. A good strategy of ensuring that a recycling plant is able to avoid the hustles and bustles associated with the sorting process, it is important that they have a good collection strategy, hence ensuring that sorting starts at that early stage. 3.1.3 Size Reduction This process involves the reduction of the plastic bottles into fine elements . (Hopewee, Dvorak & Kosior, 2009). Generally, the plastic materials come in big elements, more or so the general form of product i.e plastic bottles. For this reason, it is important that the recycling process grounds the plastic materials into simple elements which can be processed easily. The size reduction process involves the grinding of the plastic materials into flakes. Due to the small sizes of the plastic flakes, it is possible to manipulate them easily. 3.1.4 Cleaning The cleaning process involves the removal of organic and inorganic non-plastics in the ground plastic bottles (flakes) (Jeavans, 2008). These include substances such as food remains, adhesives used in packaging and pulp materials for instance labels. There are two systems used in the cleaning process which are: water cleaning whereby water is used to wash out the impurities and dry cleaning whereby the surfaces of the flakes are cleaned via the use of friction. The use of either of the systems is determined by the kinds of impurities which are being cleaned out. 3.1.4 Separation The separation process is used to separate the different types of plastic flakes according to their constitution. There are various strategies used in the separation process which includes: The sink/ float separation strategy- the flakes are immersed in water after which plastic flakes float or sink according to their density. They are then removed from the system according to their layers in the solution. This system is appropriate for the separation of polyolefin. The laser sorting system is also used whereby a laser light is projected through a collection of plastic flakes. This method is convenient for sorting out impurities such as nylon and silicones the principle behind this system is emission spectroscopy and that each material behaves differently from another when light is passed through it (Hopewee, Dvorak & Kosior, 2009). Air elutriation system is used to remove labels from the plastic bottles materials. Since the labels loosen out after the grounding of the plastic materials, it becomes easier for their removal. 3.1.5. Further Size Reduction / Polymerization The flakes are then heated so as to get a polymer solution which can be used in the molding of several products (Jeavans, 2008). The amount of heat used in this process is determined by the thermal characteristics of the specific plastic being recycled. This process is known as the agglomeration process. 3.1.6 Remolding Recycling involves the use of previously used materials in the production of new products. Therefore, the recycling process is not complete until there is the creation of new products from the old product’s materials. In the plastic recycling process, this is achieved by the remolding of the polymer solution. The manufacturing system used for the purposes of molding bottles is the blow molding whereby a film of a polymer is blown in a mould which is shaped as the product being made, hence coming up with a product. The following flowchart shows a possible processing of plastics. From the chart, it is seen that there are many sources of plastic wastes; hence plastic bottles can be gotten from any of the sources indicated. Practical Action, (2010). The following flowchart also shows a possible flow of activities on the recycling process. Recycling of plastic pipes (Jeavans, 2008) 3.2 Difficulties/ Problems of Recycling Plastics Just as other recycling processes, the recycling of plastics is associated with a couple of problems. The major problem with the recycling of plastics is cross contamination. For instance, in the bottle recycling process, the mixing of the plastic materials from the bottles and the tops is a cause of cross contamination. Cross contamination is the mixing of the various types of the polymers in the recycling process due to the inability of the process to separate all the types of polymers effectively. This ultimately leads to the creation of a contaminated polymer solution hence affecting the qualities of the final product negatively (Zafar, 2012). Collection of plastics is also another difficulty associated with the recycling process. Ideally, the collection process is the heart of the recycling process since it is via it that the effects of the recycling process are seen (Hopewee, Dvorak & Kosior, 2009). Therefore, it is important that the process operates at its optimum operational level. The collection must be able to support the raw materials requirements of the recycling plants so that the plant can at least meet it break –even point of operation. Lastly, the recycling process of plastics is taunted with the challenge of meeting the required standards in the market (Tandarova, 2009). Generally, each product in the market has a specific standard which it has to meet so as to satisfy its use in the market. However, the recycling process is not capable of returning plastic materials back to their previous levels of standards. Therefore, the process is faced with a problem of ensuring that it meets the standards of plastics in the market. 3.3 Final Products of Recycling Plastics As indicated earlier, the recycled polymers can be manufactured using the various manufacturing systems indicated above to make different products. Some of the products made from recycled plastics includes: packaging materials such as bottles, jerry cans, plastic and packaging bags, machine components such as lids, car parts and other plastic products such as plastic chairs, carpets, pipes among others. 3.4 Costs of the Recycling Process The cost of recycling is subject to the type of plastic being recycled and also the country which the recycling is taking place. Generally $1500 is enough to recycle 10tonnes of plastics. 4.0 Environmental Impact Analysis Just like any other industrial activity, the recycling of plastics is due to have an impact on the environment. The largest effect of the process is the contribution to the increase of carbon emissions in the environment. The recycling process involves the heating of the plastic flakes which is due to lead to an increase in the amount of carbon emissions from the process (Hopewee, Dvorak & Kosior, 2009). The recycling process is also due to lead to the formation of waste products such as chemical used in the process, waste water and plastic wastes. For this reason, it is important that a recycling plant comes up with the most appropriate waste treatment and disposal strategies, hence reducing its possible impact on the environment (Hopewee, Dvorak & Kosior, 2009). Lastly, the recycling process is due to impact positively on the environment from conservationist it perspective. The process leads to a reduction in the amount of plastics in the environment, hence altering the negative trend of inappropriate plastic wastes disposal. This ultimately leads to sustainability. 5.0 Discussion The recycling of plastics bottles is a good way of ensuring that the world becomes more environmentally sustainable. Looking at the waste bin at the door, it is clear that plastic materials account for a substantial percentage of the total waste. The fact that plastics are not bio degradable makes the whole issues of their recycling a very important practice if at all the work has the lives of the future generations at heart. The research paper has discussed in details the whole concept about the recycling of plastics. Ideally, the project is a feasible one. In addition to the sustainability gains that are associated with it, it also has economic gains; hence meaning that it can be used for economic empowerment. However, research and development should be conducted so as to ensure that the quality of the plastic materials recycled conform to the standards in the market. 6.0 Conclusion In conclusion, the recycling of plastics bottles should be embraced throughout the world if the countering of the negative effects of inappropriate plastic disposal is to be effective. This paper has analyzed the process of recycling plastics in details. From the paper, it has been seen that only thermoplastics which make up 80% of plastics used in the world can be effectively recycled. Plastic bottles fall under thermoplastics. The process defined in this paper is effective for the recycling of all the plastic materials in the thermoplastics type. The paper has also discussed on the challenges faced in the recycling process and also the impact of the process on the environment. From this paper and the discussion, it is appropriate to say that the recycling of plastics bottles should be adopted as a means of ensuring sustainability. References Hopewee, J., Dvorak, R., & Kosior, E., (2009). Plastics Recycling: Challenges And Opportunities, Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci.364(1526): 2115–2126. Jeavans, C., (2008). Plastic recycling comes full circle, BBC. Retrieved on 22nd November from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7470662.stm Practical Action, (2010). Recycling Plastics, The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development, 1-9 Tandarova, V., (2009). Slowly, UAE Climbs On Recycling Bandwagon, The National [Online] Retrieved on 22nd November from http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/environment/slowly-uae-climbs-on-recycling-bandwagon Zafar, S., (2012). Recycling of Plastics, Eco MENA [Online] Retrieved on 22nd November from http://www.ecomena.org/recycling-reuse-plastics/ Read More

Thermosetting are made up of linear and branched polymers while thermosetting are made up of cross linked polymers. The following figure shows the various types of polymers. Figure 1 the structure of Different Polymers (Practical Action, 2010) The basics of recycling plastics lay on the breaking of the above chains and afterwards remolding the monomers to form several chains, hence several polymers. Due to the property of thermosetting discussed above, it is difficult to recycle them since they harden on heating as opposed to thermoplastics which melt on heating.

The types of thermosetting in the market include the following: first is the common Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), High density Polyethylene (HDPE), low density Polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP),polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS). The of thermosetting in the market includes polyurethane (PU), epoxy and phenolics (Practical Action, 2010). Plastic bottles are mainly made up of PET, polystyrene, PVC. Therefore, the recycling of plastic bottles must take into account the various types of plastic bottles in the market. 3.0 Recycling of Plastics 3.

1 Process of Recycling Plastics The UAE is embracing recycling drastically in an attempt to uphold sustainability. (Tandarova, 2009).The process of recycling plastics involves a series of several processes which are done in a specific system. The following section will indicate the several processes involved in the recycling of plastics. 3.1.1 Collection The collection process involves the sourcing of used plastic bottles for use in the recycling processes. The plastic bottles form the raw materials for the recycling plant.

Due to the fact that the recycling of plastics is widely viewed as a proper waste management process, the main collection points are the waste disposal points for instance the waste disposal sites, households and other places where the use of plastic materials is in large use. In order for a recycling plant to be able to collect plastics with ease, it has to have a good plastic collections strategy which may for instance constitutes of collection points which collect plastics from a specific region.

After the collection is done, the plastic materials have to be transported to the recycling plant where the processing takes place (Hopewee, Dvorak & Kosior, 2009). 3.1.2 Sorting Since the plastics collected are of different types, it is important to sort them accordingly. This ensures that the people recycling the plastics will be able to know the specific conditions too subject to specific plastic products accordingly to their characteristics when subjected to different recycling conditions (Jeavans, 2008).

Therefore, the main basis of sorting plastics is their types. Moreover, the type of the products which the plastic materials held previously is also used to sort the materials. A good strategy of ensuring that a recycling plant is able to avoid the hustles and bustles associated with the sorting process, it is important that they have a good collection strategy, hence ensuring that sorting starts at that early stage. 3.1.3 Size Reduction This process involves the reduction of the plastic bottles into fine elements .

(Hopewee, Dvorak & Kosior, 2009). Generally, the plastic materials come in big elements, more or so the general form of product i.e plastic bottles. For this reason, it is important that the recycling process grounds the plastic materials into simple elements which can be processed easily. The size reduction process involves the grinding of the plastic materials into flakes. Due to the small sizes of the plastic flakes, it is possible to manipulate them easily. 3.1.4 Cleaning The cleaning process involves the removal of organic and inorganic non-plastics in the ground plastic bottles (flakes) (Jeavans, 2008).

These include substances such as food remains, adhesives used in packaging and pulp materials for instance labels. There are two systems used in the cleaning process which are: water cleaning whereby water is used to wash out the impurities and dry cleaning whereby the surfaces of the flakes are cleaned via the use of friction.

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