If you toss an empty yogurt container in a recycling bin and you live in a city where that type of plastic is recyclable, the container might end up as part of a park bench or flowerpot. Polypropylene, plastic with the No. 5 symbol, is a prime example of “downcycling.” Right now, it ends up as a lower-quality material when it’s recycled, so it can’t be remade into new packaging for food. But a new recycling technology could change that. PureCycle Technologies , a company that is currently building a commercial recycling plant in Lawrence County, Ohio, and just announced a new partnership with Nestlé, uses a new process that turns old polypropylene into a virgin-like material. The standard recycling process grinds up colored plastic to create a dull gray or black material that has few uses, which means that there’s little demand for old toys, packaging, carpets, or other polypropylene products that could be recycled. At the moment, of the millions of tons of the material produced each year, less than 1% is recycled. [Photo: PureCycle Technologies] “The core issue is the fact that you can’t make higher-value products using historical techniques for recycling,” says Mike Otworth, CEO […]
Latest Articles
Japan Is Dropping a Gargantuan Turbine Into The Ocean to Harness ‘Limitless’ Energy
Takeaways: Japanese engineers have constructed a turbine that can withstand the ocean's currents to transform its flow into a limitless electricity supply.
The 330-ton...
How Heat Pumps Can Suck 3 to 5 Times More Energy Out Than the...
Takeaways: A heat pump can move 3 to 5 times the heat you put in.
Heat pump technology has been shown to be 300...
The ‘World’s Largest’ Solar Power Storage Project will Displace 1.4M Tons of Coal
Takeaways: Enrique Razon, the Philippines' second-richest person, is building the "world's largest" solar power facility.
The facility will have 2500 to 3500 megawatts of...
Want to Travel More Sustainably? Look to Indigenous Tourism Experiences
Takeaways: Indigenous tourism experiences are becoming increasingly popular for travellers looking to support local communities and protect natural environments.
Indigenous People can share their...
EU Parliament Backs 2035 End Date for Combustion Engine Cars
Takeaways: The European Parliament has voted to phase out combustion engines entirely by 2035.
This is a significant step forward for climate action, air...
Just The Facts: The Cost Of Solar Has Fallen More Quickly Than Experts Predicted
Takeaways: The price of residential solar power has dropped significantly from 2010, when it was $7.53/W, to $2.65/W in 2021.
This is primarily a...