You might be wondering why not create containers using wasted materials? When you purchase anything with a plastic container like food or water you might be thinking that you will be able to recycle the plastic and make it into a new container.

However, it turns out it is not that easy to make containers with the materials that were used before. Recycling is actually a complicated process which takes so much process to do. Sadly, not everyone knows about this truth so not many people do their part.

4 Reason Why Not Creating Container Using Wasted Materials

plastic recycled

  1. You can’t recycle all plastic waste
    There is actually a lot of plastic waste that you cannot recycle such as straws, keyboards, plastic bags, and so on. Even coffee cups that most people think are recyclable actually need a special machine to recycle. So, if your local waste processing does not have the machine, then they cannot recycle it.
    Furthermore, most recyclables are useless unless someone actually wants to use them. So sometimes the reason why not creating containers using wasted materials is because no one would use it. If no one wants to use it then no one will make it.

  2. There are different categories of plastic waste
    Most people will see plastic as plastic, but actually it is not that simple. Since there are many types then this material is classified to 7 categories which symbolize by number. However, even this number only has limited information in them.
    For example, number 1 is PET which you usually see on water bottles. This waste material actually has the highest recycling value so you can actually use it to create new containers. However the number 7 is used to categorize all other plastic waste which cannot be included inside the other categories. So, you can find various plastic waste in this category including PLA and those that are not recyclable.

  3. Most people don’t know their plastic waste recyclability
    Most people just think that all plastic that they put into the recycling bin will be recycled later. However, that is not the case since there are 2 plastic waste types. The Thermoplastics waste is made from plastic which can be remolded and re-melted, so you can make new containers with it. However the Thermoset waste type is made from plastic that cannot be remelted. So, not only you cannot recycle this plastic waste, you also cannot create new containers with it. That is the reason why not to create containers using wasted materials.

  4. There are wasted materials that need special machine to recycle
    You might think that you can just recycle all wasted materials that you put into the recycling bin. But actually, some wasted materials need a special machine to process it before it can be recycled.
    For example a coffee cup which might appear as if it is made from paper. However inside the cup is actually layered with plastic to protect so the coffee would not seep into the outer layer which is made from paper.
    Since it is made from 2 waste materials, then you need to separate them first before recycling it. And to do it you need a special machine since it is impossible otherwise. So if the recycling center does not have this machine then this wasted material cannot be recycled.

As you can see, there are many reasons why waste material is very problematic. That is why you need to reduce waste material production by having a sustainable lifestyle. For example, you can start by making a garden so you can plant a few produce to eat. You can also try to cook yourself so you do not need to order delivery or take out. That way, you do not even need to think about why not create containers using wasted materials anymore.