New Circular Recycling Techniques Minimize Waste
Many in the plastics industry are starting to promote circular recycling as a way to reuse plastic goods and materials. This recycling practice takes into account a product’s capabilities for reuse at every stage of its production and use cycle. These stages can include the bottle producer, the brand owner, the retailer, the consumer, the collector, and the recycler.
At the heart of circular recycling is finding ways to turn waste into a new resource at each step of the production cycle. To get to this point, researchers are finding innovative new ways to collect and sort recyclable products. Many communities are also investing more resources toward educating consumers about recycling techniques, ensuring that more people and businesses do their part to reduce waste.
How Some Companies and Communities Are Already Implementing Circular Recycling
In these environmentally conscious times, customers are quick to reward companies that embark on aggressive waste-reduction initiatives. Businesses that use resources more efficiently also yield benefits in the form of better risk management of raw materials and improved approaches to the supply chain.
Some businesses are already taking the next step in pursuing circular recycling strategies. Coca-Cola recently unveiled its World Without Waste initiative at its plants in Mexico. There, Coca-Cola and its bottling partners have implemented strategies that have repurposed nearly 60% of Mexico’s plastic waste into new materials.
In another industry, the tire maker Omni United worked out a deal with Timberland, the shoe producer, to refashion old or excess rubber from tires into soles of Timberland shoes. And on the consumer end, the country of Estonia has implemented a program in which people can exchange recyclable materials such as glass, plastic, and cans for cash or charity donations.
