In fact, the amount of plastic bottles sold worldwide would be higher than the height of Manhattan Island. Euromonitor International, a trade association for the plastics industry, has been tracking the sales of plastic bottles. Their figures show that 480 billion bottles were sold in 2018, representing a 50% increase since 2009. That’s nearly two kilometers high. But where do these bottles come from? And how do they impact the environment? To find out, read this article.
The material for making plastic bottles comes from crude oil. It’s extracted by large-scale extraction processes and is produced in coastal areas and in the 32 US states. After extraction, it’s shipped to refineries to be distilled. During distillation, plastic bottles are separated into heavy, middle, and light fractions, according to their molecular size. They’re then reused to make new bottles, carpets, and other products.
Then, the plastic pellets are heated inside a tube mould and inflate. When the plastic pellets reach a high enough pressure, they need to be instantly cooled to maintain their shape. This can be accomplished by blowing liquid nitrogen around the bottle, or by using air at room temperature. However, it’s important to note that PET bottles are more expensive than fully formed bottles and are not recyclable unless the cap is still on.
Even though a majority of the bottles we use are recyclable, they may still end up in the ocean. In addition to their current form, bottles may become contaminated and mismanaged during transportation. More recent restrictions on recycling may have resulted in many bottles being disposed of in landfills. In addition to this, bottles in trash cans may wind up in landfills, where they may break down into microplastic particles and enter the waterways and oceans.
Among the most common plastics used in bottles, HDPE is a polymer derived from petroleum. It is extremely durable and effective in its role as a moisture barrier. Its excellent chemical resistance and good impact resistance make it a good choice for bottles that are intended to be re-used. Further, HDPE is a flexible and translucent material, making it ideal for many other uses. For example, milk and yogurt drinks may come in PS bottles.
Globally, 481.6 billion plastic bottles are used each year. This equates to 40 billion plastic bottles used per month, or 1.3 billion per year. This amounts to $1 billion of waste in one year. The cost of 8 glasses of water in plastic bottles per year is around $.49 per glass, or $1,400 per year. America’s need for plastic water bottles is estimated to consume 17 million barrels of oil every year. The result is a growing crisis that threatens the planet.
When plastic bottles are recycled, they are often used to create useful items. They can be reused as clothing, furniture, or fencing. Other uses for recycled plastic include new plastic bottles, bags, and containers. The process involves sorting the plastic bottles from other materials and removing residue and toxins. Once sorted, these recycled bottles are sold to companies that melt them down into new products. If you are unsure of whether or not a particular plastic bottle can be recycled, find out the recycling guidelines in your local area.