plastic recycling in sri lanka
TRANSCRIPT
Highly polluting industry – EPL ‘A’ category
Emission standards are published in gazette extraordinary No. 1534/18 of 01.02.2008
Polluting status of the Industry
Dissolved solids and dissolved aromatic compounds are present.
Passing though resin beds and activated carbon filtration is practiced
Hot water is re-used by cooling
Larger scale plastic collectors clean the materials separately now
Waste Water
Gaseous emission from machines during plastic heating process - Wet scrubbing, Using safety wears
Dust and particles – Better housekeeping
Gaseous Pollutants
Almost everything is re-used
Un re-usable matter will be sent to incineration.
Solid Waste
Noise & Vibrations Machines in operation - Enclose in a room to
avoid noise, dissemination; servicing and lubrication of machines
Vibration - Proper mounting of machinery
Plastic is melted during the recycling process, which causes it to break down and release the chemicals used to make it.
Recycling plastic is associated with skin and respiratory problems resulting from exposure to and inhalation of toxic fumes, especially hydrocarbons and residues released during the recycling process
Heating and reheating also degrades plastic
Issues With Plastic Recycling
Small scale recyclers have low facilities for the treatment processes.
The production of ‘Virgin’ plastic cannot be reduced.
The environmental quality of the countries where new materials are made from recycled plastics will be degraded. (China, India and Malaysia)
Waste segregation practices should be strictly followed in the country
The monitoring of the discharged waste water/air and solids by the recycling plant should be monitored frequently
The government should involve more effectively to the industry
Reduction of the use of plastics nationwide
More safety measures should be taken when handling the recycling process
Increasing the awareness among the public
Recommendations
Mr. Anura JasenthuliyanaManaging DirectorEcosans Plastics Ltd.
Mr. Sampath WijekoonInformation CenterNational Post Consumer Plastic waste Management Project
Personal Contacts
Container recycling institute(2014), Plastic Facts & Statistics, available on http://www.container-recycling.org/index.php/factsstatistics/plastic Accessed on 10th May 2015
Biofina group (2013), 5 Stages of the Plastic Recycling Process, Available at http://biofinagroup.com/5-stages-of-the-plastic-recycling-process/ Accessed on 10th May 2015
Ronnin, James (2011), Recycling Plastics May Be Better than Wasting, but Can Be Toxic, Too, http://www.eurekarecycling.org/page.cfm?ContentID=126 last access on 10th May 2015
Ministry of finance and Planning(2014), Environment guidelines for SMEs Sri Lanka.
References