Paper Details

Name: Farah Khan, Vidya Hattangadi
Country: India

Year: 2025
Volume: Special Issue: Volume-12, Issue-1, Year: 2025 (January-June)
Page Number: 123-129
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15356879

Plastic recycling is a critical process aimed at reducing plastic waste, conserving resources,
and minimizing environmental impact. The recycling of plastics involves the collection,
sorting, and processing of used plastic materials to create new products, thereby closing the
loop in the plastic lifecycle. Various recycling methods, including mechanical, chemical, and
biological processes, each offer unique advantages and challenges. Mechanical recycling, the
most common method, involves shredding and melting plastic to form new products, but it is
limited by material degradation and contamination. Chemical recycling, on the other hand,
breaks down plastics into their monomers, enabling the production of higher-quality products
but at a higher cost. Despite these challenges, advancements in technology and the increasing
demand for sustainable practices have led to innovations in the plastic recycling industry.
Effective recycling not only mitigates the environmental harm caused by plastic waste but
also contributes to the circular economy by promoting the reuse of valuable raw materials.
The success of plastic recycling hinges on the collaboration between governments, industries,
and consumers to improve recycling infrastructure, raise awareness, and enhance material
recovery rates.
Keywords: Plastic, recycling, conserving resources, reuse, valuable raw materials, circular
economy, sustainable packaging