The Problem With Cross Contamination
The Main Cause for Not Recycling & Sorting Trash Correctly
2 NOV 2022, By Ali Mahfudh Mohamed Junior
Estimated time to read: 4 minutes
Plastic, Metal, Glass, Paper & More Garbage: Waste Sorting
There’s a fair probability that you’ve heard of recycling contamination if your company recycles. However, what exactly is recycling contamination and why is it important? How does it affect your efforts to be sustainable? How can we avoid contamination in recycling?
It turns out that recycling contamination is a simple problem to solve.
What you need to know about recycling contamination, including common contaminants, is provided here, along with information on how you may contribute to the transition of our world to a more circular economy.
What Is Recycling Contamination?
Municipal waste is made up of waste produced by households as well as solid waste from other sources that are similar to household waste in nature and composition, such as waste from small businesses and public institutions. Excluding significant mineral wastes, municipal waste makes up 27% of all waste produced in the EU.
It requires good waste management since it is a complex mixture of elements, including recyclable and non-recyclable, hazardous and non-hazardous, which is influenced by several socio-economic and political factors.
The quantity of total or residual (non-recycled) municipal waste created has not reduced since 2015, despite improvements in waste management brought on by various EU waste policies and targets.
In order to encourage waste management measures at higher levels of the waste hierarchy, new policies have been devised and are currently being put into practice. These include the Waste Framework Directive, the 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan, and the European Green Deal.
The Creation Of A Circular Economy
In a circular economy, materials and goods are used throughout their entire life cycle, from design and production to reuse or recycling. Products are reintroduced into the production process rather than being discarded, as is the case in the existing linear system.
The way plastic goods are developed, used, and recycled will change under the EU Plastics Strategy, which was proposed in 2018. By 2030, all plastic packaging sold in the EU must be recyclable, and microplastic usage must be limited.
The strictest regulations in the world have already increased recycling rates for plastic packaging in the EU to an all-time high of 41.5 percent, which is three times higher than in the US.
By 2025, the EU established a goal of recycling 50% of plastic packaging; this objective appears to be within reach at this time. Additionally, a separate collection goal of 77 percent for plastic bottles will be established in 2025, rising to 90 percent by 2029.
This comprehensive system will be dependent on the widespread adoption of extended producer responsibility schemes, which states that if a business sells packaged goods or packaging on the market in a nation, it is still entirely responsible for the costs associated with the collection, transportation, recycling, or incineration of those goods. In other words, the individual or business that causes pollution will have to pay a price for this unprecedented action.
The creation of a circular economy increases sustainable products, empowers consumers in terms of green transitions, imposes regulation on construction products as well as sustainable textiles.
These actions will lead to a reduction in pressure with natural resources, create sustainable growth and promote job creation within economies.
Read more on how to create and achieve a circular economy here.
What Can Be Done To Achieve The Target
While recycling is undoubtedly important in a circular economy, there are other aspects as well.
Moving toward a circular economy demands us to go beyond simply considering whether a product can be recycled after use. For instance, we must create new collaborations, technologies, and circular value chains in order to enable such extensive circularity throughout the entire community.
To date, significant progress has been made in altering behaviour to make recycling more commonplace in daily life. Scaling up to circularity and a circular economy model are the next big steps in the increasingly urgent battle against climate change, and they represent a systemic shift at the next level.
The combination of chemical and mechanical recycling of plastics to prevent plastic waste from being sent to landfills or burning is an illustration of circularity.
Final Thoughts
It is crucial to follow the steps and adhere to the regulations set out by the European Union in order for us to become sustainable as a business, as well as, individuals.
In order to do so, we all have to take part and manage our waste more efficiently and effectively to achieve a circular economy.
By taking the necessary steps mentioned above, this target can be achievable. In order to accomplish this, PLAEX offers a FREE pilot program. We’ll support you in achieving your sustainability objectives.
How would you like to be part of the change to a more sustainable future? Remember, it is not complex, it’s PLAEX.
Book your FREE consultation now!
You are planning to save the world? or have any questions? Our waste management experts would love to have a chat with you.