identifies the polymer. When the number
is omitted as seen in the figure 17, the
symbol is known as the Universal
Recycling Symbol, indicating generic
recyclable materials.
What is role of codes in recycling
process?
Each plastic is manufactured with
different processes. During recycling
process, if same codes are not sorted out
separately the whole lot meant for recycle
will spoil the process. Therefore, it is
essential to recycle the same codes in one
lot. If you add a simple PET bottle in the lot
of other plastics during recycling process,
the entire lot will be spoiled. Think why ?
Uncoded plastics
Do all plastics have resin
indentification code on them? Plastic tarps,
toys, computer key boards and many other
products simply do not fit in the coding
system adopted for recycling. Wide variety
of plastic materials are made to suit the
needs of consumer by using different
varieties of plastic resins or mixtures of
resins. Is it possible to code thousands of
plastic varieties? Recycling of various
types of plastics is not commercially viable
because their production when compared
to coded plastics is less. Code 1 and 2
plastics occupy major share in recycling
plastics.
Recover
Supreme Court gave a judgment on
ways and means of solid waste management
and gave order to implement this in all the
cities of India by 2003. In the solid waste
garbage of municipalities, plastic occupies
major share. The principle of recover plays
major role in this solid waste management.
The solid waste should be converted into
resources such as electricity, heat,
compost and fuel through thermal and
biological means. Is any such effort for
solid waste management taking place in
your village/town.? How do you appreciate
4R principle?
