Upcycling low-value plastics

In reality, we are nowhere near eliminating low value plastics and single-use plastics. The Covid-19 pandemic has made it even more challenging than before. While we are trying to figure out how to get rid of low value plastics and single-use plastics, what can we do about those that are already in our lives?  So let me ask you!  do you think about recycling? low value plastics can’t be recycled, such as the chips you just ate. The cup of coffee you happily purchased from Starbucks can’t be recycled either(starbucks cups are paper). Tissues(its paper, not plastic),Multi layer plastics(MLP) like food packaging covers, chocolate and chips covers, plastic bags, plastic gift wraps, and the straws-the list goes on and on. So to make use of these types of plastics, let’s upcycle them. Have you heard about upcycling ever before?

What is Upcycling?

Upcycling is the process of modifying and upgrading old products into new ones without losing its property, thus giving them a second life and new purposes. As a result, by mixing and combining used materials, items, and components, you get to create a “new product” with more functionality and value.

What’s the difference between Upcycling and recycling?

The difference between upcycling and recycling is that recycling firstly breaks down materials like paper, metal, plastic, and glass to create a new product during each process plastic loose its recycling ability(of usually inferior quality). However, upcycling is not the same as recycling. Rather, they are being sorted and repurposed more fashionably , shredded into smaller pieces and additives added which increases its property and recycling ability.

 Some of the plastic bottles(plastic bottles are high value plastic, we concentrate only on low value plastics) at home and bags made of plastic tend to be low value plastics or single-use items, used and discarded without much thought for recycling. Plastic waste is rapidly growing as a part of municipal solid waste. Plastic low value plastics does not benefit the environment in any way.

Reduce plastic waste by upcycling

Upcycling low-value plastic has several advantages that make it worth the effort. Environmental benefits are one reason to make this a habit. If you make something new and useful from an item destined for the trashcan, you reduce the amount of waste you contribute to landfills. Whenever plastic is recycled, it reduces the need for purchasing new products, which promotes slow consumption and slow production. Plastic production can be reduced with slower production because it reduces the stresses on our natural resources, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. The process of upcycling can also help you to save money that you would otherwise spend on new products. By using current technology we can’t recycle some of the plastics products. When it comes to upcycling, we don’t need advanced technology and complex machinery to covert convert these the items into creative products.

What benefits we can get by upcycling low-value plastics?

  • By upcycling low value plastics, we can reduce CO2 and temperature in India from burning plastics.
  • We can reduce soil degradation and water pollution because plastics contain dangerous chemicals.
  • We can help industries, local businesses, and more plastic waste producers in waste management.
  • Avoiding more plastics going to the landfills.
  • We can use it as an eco-bricks to build a home.

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