{"id":1809,"date":"2024-03-13T07:48:46","date_gmt":"2024-03-13T07:48:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.recyclingbristol.com\/?p=1809"},"modified":"2024-04-09T07:49:24","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T07:49:24","slug":"latest-innovations-in-recycling-in-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.recyclingbristol.com\/latest-innovations-in-recycling-in-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Latest Recycling Innovations in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

Climate change continues to pose a challenge to households and businesses worldwide. In the face of this, new and improved ways of recycling pave the way to modern-day sustainability.<\/p>\n

While the uptake of recycling initiatives continues to increase, further advancements in recycling methods and recycling technology are required. Luckily, innovations in both of these areas are sparking exciting changes in the recycling space.<\/p>\n

In this blog from ETM Recycling, we discuss the latest trends in recycling \u2013 including new recycled materials, new recycling methods and new recycling technologies.<\/p>\n

For more information about recycling methods and practices, visit our blog, articles include How Schools can Reduce their Paper Waste, How to Achieve Zero Waste in Restaurants and What is a Waste Stream?<\/p>\n

New recycled materials<\/h2>\n

Some of the most prevalent innovations in recycling technology fall under the category of new recycled materials. In fact, new recycled materials are becoming more and more commonplace in our society\u2019s everyday structure. Examples include:<\/p>\n

Recycled Bricks<\/strong> \u2013 Eco bricks are an innovative solution that repurposes plastic waste for use as robust and versatile building blocks. In many instances, recycled bricks are formed from plastic bottles combined with other recycled plastic. This new material not only has environmental benefits but also offers construction engineers high degrees of insulation due to the plastic\u2019s properties. Eco bricks not only offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional building materials, they also divert plastic waste otherwise sent to landfill.<\/p>\n

3D Printed Furniture<\/strong> \u2013 The rise in 3D printing technology is creating exciting opportunities for eco-friendly furniture. Furniture, decorative items and art installations can all be produced using 3D printing. This innovation reduces the demand for raw materials and offers an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional manufacturing methods.<\/p>\n

Plastic Roads<\/strong> \u2013 Traditional Road construction is costly and uses large volumes of raw materials. Instead, plastic roads add recycled plastic waste to asphalt mix \u2013 not only reducing raw materials but maximising the lifespan of roads and pavements too. These durable and comparatively flexible road surfaces both limit the development of cracks and potholes and reduce the wider carbon footprint of highway infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Learn more about recycling services with ETM ><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

New recycling methods<\/h2>\n

In addition to new recycled materials, a range of new recycling methods are continuing to emerge. These include:<\/p>\n

Chemical Recycling<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chemical recycling works to break down plastic into its original form. Chemical recycling as an umbrella covers a range of emerging technologies that convert plastic into recyclable materials and other products.<\/p>\n

In its most general form \u2013 chemical recycling occurs over a number of stages, the first being conversion. In the conversion stage, long-chain hydrocarbon molecules called polymers are broken down – sometimes using a process called pyrolysis (we will talk about this more later). In the next stage – decomposition, these polymers are broken down into monomers which are used to produce new plastics.<\/p>\n

This process is often carried out using heat or chemical solvents. In the final step \u2013 purification, materials are no longer broken down. Instead, solvents are used to separate polymers from additives or polymers.<\/p>\n

Organic Recycling<\/strong><\/p>\n

Organic recycling is another new recycling method. During the organic recycling process, biodegradable plastics undergo a controlled microbiological treatment under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. This variety of recycling is only suitable for specific polymer varieties that can be converted into stabilised organic products such as carbon dioxide, methane and water.<\/p>\n

Learn more about managing waste sustainably ><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Dissolution Recycling<\/strong><\/p>\n

During dissolution recycling, polymers in plastic waste are dissolved in the solvents \u2013 allowing them to be separated from contaminants and purified. Dissolution recycling is particularly popular in industrial contexts \u2013 examples of which include the production of:<\/p>\n