The diagram illustrates the process by which plastic is recycled
Overall, plastic waste follows two main pathways, as it is either disposed of in landfill or collected for recycling. The recycling process involves 5 distinct stages, commencing with the use of plastic products, culminating in the production of new items returned to shops for sale.
To begin with, after consumers purchase plastic items, the waste is separated into two categories. Some products such as plastic bags or other forms of waste, are thrown away and transported directly to the landfill. Meanwhile, used plastic bottles are gathered at recycling points and then transferred to the sorting facilities, where they are sorted according to type before entering the recycling factory.
Following this, the sorted plastic is loaded onto trucks and transported to a processing plant. There it undergoes various steps and is converted into reusable material. Finally, this material is manufactured into new goods, which are subsequently delivered to shops for resale.