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The issue with black plastic

  • 12-08-2018 7:29pm
    #1
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 216 ✭✭


    Black plastic doesn't get recycled because it doesn't reflect light well enough when passing the laser sorting systems. Therefore it can't be detected.

    The other thing about black plastic, is that it's the only plastic that can't be dyed a different colour when using the plastic to make a new product. What I'm perhaps more interested in, is why so many companies insist in making black plastic? For example, the tomato trays that I buy are nearly always black.

    I think there's only one recycling center in Ireland that now has the technology capable recycling black plastic. Also, I recently read, that it's possible to use a detectable black colourant that enables polymers to be detected by laser sorting systems enabling black plastic packaging to be recycled into plastic for the manufacture of new items.

    Puts man on the moon using radars and satellites.
    Can't detect black plastic in a garbage bin.


Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 28,783 ✭✭✭✭Wanderer78


    Black plastic must be cheaper to produce if this is the case, at some stage, our manufacturing processes must be held accountable for producing such dangerous materials


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 216 ✭✭Resverathrole


    Wanderer78 wrote: »
    Black plastic must be cheaper to produce if this is the case, at some stage, our manufacturing processes must be held accountable for producing such dangerous materials
    It is clearly bottom of the list on the governments priorities.


  • Registered Users Posts: 28,783 ✭✭✭✭Wanderer78


    It is clearly bottom of the list on the governments priorities.

    consumption is good, good for our economy, hence good for our society


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 216 ✭✭Resverathrole


    Wanderer78 wrote: »
    consumption is good, good for our economy, hence good for our society
    But not necessarily good for our quality of life. Isn't that the false economy? I hope you're being sarcastic by the way.

    In any case, the feckers can still consume if the ideal plastic is made available.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 216 ✭✭Resverathrole


    Wanderer78 wrote: »
    consumption is good, good for our economy, hence good for our society
    Just with a bit more litter on the streets.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 28,783 ✭✭✭✭Wanderer78


    In any case, the feckers can still consume if the ideal plastic is made available.


    The market knows best, so let's not interfere with it


  • Registered Users Posts: 9,369 ✭✭✭irishgeo


    We need to find a plastic eating bacteria.


  • Registered Users Posts: 28,783 ✭✭✭✭Wanderer78


    irishgeo wrote:
    We need to find a plastic eating bacteria.


    Wonder has anyone been working on this?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 216 ✭✭Resverathrole


    irishgeo wrote: »
    We need to find a plastic eating bacteria.
    https://www.popsci.com/bacteria-enzyme-plastic-waste


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 350 ✭✭Biodegradable


    Does this mean that there's dozens of Brazilians in some recycling plant rushing to grab all the black plastic off the conveyor before it get melted down? It must cost a fortune to pay them all! Couldn't they just use signage to say "no black plastic"!

    Doesn't make any sense


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