Plastic has been a key part of modern life since the 1950s. Initially hailed as a miracle material, its cheap cost, versatility, and ease of production made it a game-changer in the global economy.

While materials like rubber and Bakelite were already around, it was the second wave of plastics that cemented plastics as a key player.

People believed in its utopian potential, seeing it as a material that could solve all their problems.

But soon enough, cracks started to appear in this rosy vision. The very features that made plastic so attractive to manufacturers and consumers—its durability and long-lasting nature—also led to a host of environmental issues. Today, we're facing a world awash in plastic, with products often outliving their usefulness.

However, the growing recycling industry is making strides to address the plastic waste problem. In this article, we'll explore nine surprising facts about plastic recycling and how it's shaping an industry ready to tackle the growing plastic waste crisis.

Only 9% of Plastic Gets Recycled

Despite recycling being a global buzzword, only about 9% of plastic has been recycled to date. The recycling rate has been slowly increasing, with an estimated 20% recycling rate worldwide now.

However, even though plastic recycling technology has existed since the 1970s, both industries and consumers have been slow to adopt it. Since 1950, 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been produced, but only 9% of that has been recycled. The rest ends up in landfills or is incinerated.

Plastic Recycling Industry Will Be Worth $56 Billion by 2026

The plastic recycling market is booming, with a projected value of $56 billion by 2026. Currently valued at around $34 billion, this market is set to grow significantly over the next 5-10 years. As consumers become more environmentally conscious and the plastic industry takes on more responsibility, the recycling sector will expand rapidly to keep up with the rising need to process the plastic waste we generate.

Recycled Plastic Saves Energy

Recycling plastic saves energy—up to 88% compared to producing new plastic products. The process of creating plastic from original materials requires a significant amount of energy, much of it used in extracting oil or gas. By using recycled plastic, we reduce the need for these raw materials and significantly cut down on energy consumption.

A Million Plastic Bottles Are Sold Every Minute

It's staggering, but globally, a million plastic bottles are sold every minute. That adds up to about 480 billion bottles per year. Moreover, the number is expected to increase by 20% by 2020. Most of these bottles are fully recyclable, but the real solution is to use reusable bottles as a more sustainable alternative to disposable ones.

Products Can Be Made with Multiple Materials, Making Recycling Difficult

Many products have a recycling symbol, but they may contain multiple materials that need to be separated during the recycling process. For example, blister packaging for pills contains both recyclable plastic and aluminum, but because these materials are hard to separate, it is nearly impossible to recycle them.

The Quality of Recycled Plastic Declines

Unlike materials like aluminum and glass, the quality of plastic declines during the recycling process. Most plastics can only be recycled once or twice before they are no longer usable. Additionally, the majority of recycled plastic is used for non-food-grade products, which means recycling is far from as simple as a "one-to-one" exchange.

Plastic Waste May Be Sent Overseas for Recycling

Until recently, China was importing two-thirds of the world's plastic waste. However, in 2018, China stopped accepting plastic waste, cutting off a major outlet for recyclable materials worldwide. While this posed a challenge for many countries, it also became an opportunity for nations that produce the most plastic waste to strengthen their recycling systems and handle the waste locally.

Recycled Plastic Can Be Used for Many Products

Today, recycled plastic is being used in a variety of products. From fabrics for clothing to insulation materials for buildings, the possibilities are endless. As the demand for recycled materials increases, innovations are paving the way for even more applications in various industries, from consumer goods to construction.

Scientists Are Developing Bacteria That Can Eat Plastic

Traditional recycling involves separating, crushing, and melting plastic into reusable pellets. However, other environmentally friendly methods to break down plastic are being developed. In 2018, scientists accidentally discovered bacteria that can naturally dissolve plastic. Though this recycling method is still in its early stages, its potential could make a significant impact on how we address plastic waste.

The Future of Plastic Recycling

While recycling is an important part of addressing the plastic waste problem, it's just one solution. In fact, plastic recycling needs to be supported by a comprehensive transformation in the way we consume and package products.

Fortunately, there's growing support for companies to move away from plastic, particularly single-use plastic packaging, in favor of more sustainable alternatives. Consumers are also becoming more aware of their environmental impact and are seeking ways to avoid using disposable packaging.

In conclusion, the importance of the "cradle to cradle" concept cannot be overstated. By extending the lifespan of packaging and containers as much as possible, we can alleviate the burden on the recycling industry, enabling it to operate more efficiently and effectively handle the plastic waste we generate.