why do plastics have to be separated before recycled?
Like different kinds of plastics are separated by why? Im on the organic chem unit right now.
Plastics need to be separated before recycling because different types of plastics have different properties and chemical compositions. Recycling involves breaking down the plastic into its original raw material form to produce new products. Mixing different types of plastics can lead to a lower-quality recycled product or even render the whole batch unrecyclable.
The separation process typically involves sorting plastics based on their resin identification code (RIC), which is the number inside the recycling symbol found on most plastic products. The RIC helps identify the type of plastic used and assists in separating them appropriately.
There are several reasons for separating plastics before recycling:
1. Melting points: Different types of plastics melt at different temperatures. Mixing plastics with different melting points can lead to incomplete melting or inconsistent behavior during the recycling process.
2. Contamination: Plastics may be contaminated with various substances, such as food residue, additives, or other non-plastic materials. If different types of plastics are mixed, these contaminants can affect the quality of the recycled plastic and the final product.
3. Properties: Different plastics have different properties, such as flexibility, rigidity, or durability, which depend on their chemical composition. Mixing plastics with different properties can produce recycled plastic with unpredictable characteristics.
To separate plastics, various techniques are used depending on the recycling facility's capabilities and the type of plastic. These techniques can include manual sorting, automated sorting machines, or even chemical processes.
In your organic chemistry unit, you might encounter concepts related to polymer composition, structure, and properties, which would give you a deeper understanding of why plastics need to be separated before recycling.