The recycling of plastic cannot solve pollution." You might be surprised by this answer, but Greenpeace's report "The Eternal Toxin" released in 2023 indeed points out that plastic recycling not only increases toxicity but also poses serious health threats to recycling workers, nearby communities, and even end consumers.

Recycling Plastic : Recycling Toxic Chemicals

The report 'The Eternal Toxin: Scientific Study on the Health Threats of Plastic Recycling,' released by Greenpeace USA Office in May 2023, points out that plastic contains 13,000 chemical compounds, with over 3,200 confirmed harmful to human health, and many more yet to be assessed for toxicity. Therefore, once plastic enters the recycling system, it is equivalent to recycling its toxic chemical constituents.

The chemical compounds in recycled plastic typically have higher concentrations and stronger toxicity, including benzene, toxic flame retardants, endocrine disruptors, environmental pollutants such as brominated and chlorinated dioxins, and other carcinogens. This makes recycled plastic unsuitable for food-grade or other consumer applications. In other words, plastic, by its nature, is not conducive to a circular economy.

The Three Pathways of Toxic Transfer in Plastic Recycling

Almost all plastics are composed of carbon and toxic chemicals, and there are three uncontrollable pathways of toxic transfer during the recycling process.

1. Toxic Chemicals in Newly Produced Plastic Materials:

When plastics manufactured with toxic chemicals are recycled, these toxins are directly transferred to the recycled plastic.

2. Toxic Substance Infiltration into Plastic Waste:

Plastics can absorb volatile compounds to adsorb pollutants. When plastics become contaminated by toxins in the waste stream and the environment, and then undergo recycling processing, they become recycled plastics containing toxic chemical substances. For example, plastics containers containing pesticides, cleaning solvents, and other toxic chemicals entering the recycling chain may result in contamination of the recycled plastics.

3. New Toxic Chemicals Generated During the Recycling Process:

When plastics are heated during the recycling process, new toxic chemical substances may be generated and enter the recycled plastics. For example, recycling plastics containing brominated flame retardants may produce brominated dioxins, and stabilizers used in plastic recycling may decompose into highly toxic substances.

Inappropriate sorting, as well as specific packaging components post-sorting, can also lead to toxicity in recycled plastics. Studies have found that mechanical recycling of PET #1 plastics may generate carcinogenic benzene, and even minimal contact with PVC #3 plastics could result in carcinogenic substances appearing in recycled plastics.

The Biggest Victims of Plastic Recycling Are Right Next to Us

Food Chain

In 2021, the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) collected egg samples from 25 locations worldwide, including 35 pooled egg samples and 1 individual egg sample, to analyze the presence of specific 'persistent organic pollutants.' The study found that eggs produced around electronic and plastic waste recycling sites were among the most heavily contaminated samples in the study.

Recycling Personnel

In a study conducted by IPEN in 2023, plastic flame retardant chemicals (DP, Dechlorane Plus) were found in the blood, food, and surrounding environment of a household recycler in Thailand. The levels of DP in the blood of this worker were nearly 280 times higher compared to farm workers residing 15 kilometers away.

Community

In 2020, the number of plastic recycling plant fires in Malaysia doubled compared to the previous year. Environmental health experts warned local residents that smoke from the fires could lead to respiratory issues, trigger or exacerbate asthma, and cause rashes and eye irritation.

On April 7, 2023, a major fire broke out at the NAN YA Plastics Lin-kou Plant in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Diffusion simulation results from the New Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau and data analysis from microsensors showed that residents in downwind areas such as Taishan, Wugu, Linkou, Sanchong, and Xinzhuang were deeply affected by air pollution, requiring them to close doors and windows tightly and wear masks.

Children

In 2021, IPEN analyzed recycled plastic pellets purchased from 24 recycling facilities in 23 countries. The results revealed that all pellet samples contained at least one toxic chemical substance, with 21 samples containing three of the tested chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals as well as chemicals associated with neurotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and cardiovascular diseases. The report warned that recycled plastic pellets are commonly used in the production of toys and other children's products, making children a vulnerable group at risk of exposure.

Stop Obsessing Over Recycling Rates: Plastic Reduction is the Real Solution

According to a report published by Ministry of Environment in 2022, Taiwan's general waste recycling rate reached 56.79%, ranking among the top globally and serving as a source of pride for many. However, please beware of falling into the trap of false pride in Taiwan's achievements. Your and my daily efforts in recycling may very well be in vain.

The so-called recycling rate merely involves transferring waste to the next recipient and has little to do with actual circular reuse. According to statistics from the Industrial Technology Research Institute and the Environmental Protection Administration, the recycling rate in 2022 was only 22.56%, a stark contrast to the nearly 57% recycling rate. This means that although Taiwan boasts a proud 'high resource recycling rate,' it does not necessarily mean that resources are effectively reused. Instead, they are likely to end up being incinerated or buried.

According to estimates by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), only 9% of global plastic waste is recycled, while the remaining 91% is incinerated, landfilled, or ends up in the natural environment. By 2060, plastic production is expected to triple. This means that the 'plastic monster' will become even larger, continuing to threaten the survival of humanity and the entire ecosystem.

Greenpeace advocates for the content of the Global Plastic Treaty to be aimed at the goal of reducing plastic production by 75%. They also call for governments and businesses to implement business models focused on reuse and refill, ensuring a fair and just transition for the plastic industry.

The United Nations aims to complete the formulation of the Global Plastic Treaty by the end of 2024, making it a pivotal year for global plastic reduction efforts!

Source: GREENPEACE綠色和平