Dangerous chemicals found in recycled plastics, making them unsafe for use – experts explain the hazards

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Plastics are now found in every environment on the planet, from the deepest seas to the atmosphere and human bodies.

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Provider:

The Conversation

URL:

https://theconversation.com/dangerous-chemicals-found-in-recycled-plastics-making-them-unsafe-for-use-experts-explain-the-hazards-220498

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Information

Tags:

Waste management, Health, Life, Pesticide, Method, Jaundice, Atmosphere, Plastic, Environment, Recycling, Human, Safety, BPA, Paint, Smash Mouth, United Nations, United

Geotags:

TANZANIA, MAURITIUS, ASIA, SOUTH AMERICA, CAMEROON, AFRICA, NIGERIA, TOGO, EUROPE

Summary

Key Points:

Plastics are now found in every environment on the planet, from the deepest seas to the atmosphere and human bodies.
Hence, the United Nations has resolved to negotiate a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution.
We found 191 pesticides, 107 pharmaceuticals and 81 industrial compounds among many others in the recycled plastic pellets.
The chemical composition of the plastic should be checked before it is recycled.

Chemicals used in production of plastics

More than 13,000 chemicals are currently used in the production of plastic materials and products.
Some unwanted chemicals form during the production or life of plastics.
Throughout the plastics value chain, during production, use, waste and recycling, other chemicals can contaminate the material too.
Examples include phthalates (plastic softeners), bisphenols like BPA, and UV-stabilisers used to protect plastics from sun damage and yellowing.
Others are chemicals that result from burning natural materials, man-made organic chemicals used for industrial applications like paint, and ultraviolet filters.

A path towards safer reuse of plastics

To recycle more materials safely, several changes are necessary. These include:
increased transparency regarding the use of chemicals and their risks
chemical simplification of the plastics market, so that fewer and less toxic chemicals are permitted for use
improved waste management infrastructure with separated waste streams
improved recycling methods, including monitoring of hazardous chemicals.

Simpler chemical structures also improve the recycling potential of plastics and make recycling more efficient and cost-effective.
It’s is a crucial step towards the sustainable production and use of plastics, as countries work towards a legal instrument to end pollution.

Bethanie Carney Almroth receives funding from the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development
FORMAS (grant number 2021-00913) and The Carl Tryggers Foundation (grant number 21:1234).
Eric Carmona Martinez received funding from Carl Trygger Foundation.