Benefits and disadvantages of recycled packaging

The containers have the purpose of containing, protecting, and presenting the products they contain, they exist in various materials, however, the most used are plastic containers since it is a light, resistant and economical materials. This has generated an excessive use of plastic containers, which has had unpleasant consequences for the environment, polluting the air, sea, and soil. Although it has been sought to replace materials such as PET or HDPE, they are still searching and investigating another material that offers the same advantages at a competitive price and that represents a lower impact on the environment, however, it is a reality that this types of packaging will continue to be present in the industry for a long time.

Today recycling is no longer just an option, it appears on the market as a pressing need that must be addressed to reduce the levels of contamination that until now have been generated by the misuse of the final recipient and by the low availability of many industries.

Advantages of recycled packaging

The first step to follow to achieve correct recycling begins with the recipient, plastic containers must be separated correctly. Among the first advantages of recycled packaging is that there is a significant reduction in all the waste that ends up in the landfill, the correct separation of materials has made it possible for the recycling percentages to rise since recovery is much easier. The treatment they use in these landfills is to bury them, which undoubtedly damages the soil and, on the other hand, the waste that is not suitable for use in a sanitary landfill is burned, therefore, there is also a decrease in the levels of carbon emitted.

On the other hand, it means a saving of energy and raw material for its manufacture, in the case of recycled plastic containers it means a saving of more than 80% of energy and also the use of low oil since these already used containers are mixed with a smaller amount of PET pellets.

Disadvantages of recycled packaging

It is important to mention that not all PET or HDPE containers can be recycled. This depends on its use, that is, those destined for the chemical or agricultural industry cannot have this procedure because they contain substances that could be dangerous, however, they can be used for the manufacture of articles such as cloth, shoes, or other objects. for daily use in which human consumption is not involved. Currently, the food and pharmaceutical industry requires the use of PET and HDPE containers made of virgin resin.

Among the main disadvantages are the logistics for the collection of containers, in Mexico, there is no recycling culture, despite the advances it has had for the separation of garbage, the fact that these containers are contaminated implies greater costs for correct cleaning and disinfection to later proceed to recycle.

At Maxipet we are convinced that in future years the amount of recycled packaging will be a higher percentage, we are constantly in search of innovative models that allow us to have economic and social growth that is sustainable for the world.