Recycling: Das passiert mit deinem Müll! | Quarks

Summary

The video script details the recycling process at a waste sorting facility in Krefeld, where up to 140 tons of packaging waste are received daily. It explains how different materials are separated, with a focus on plastic packaging. The script highlights the recyclability of materials like polyethylene and polypropylene, while also pointing out that certain plastics, such as those in black shower gel bottles, are not recyclable due to the inability to detect black plastics. The video concludes by noting that only about 23% of plastics from packaging are recycled, with 77% being incinerated, emphasizing the need for better recycling practices.

Takeaways

• 📦 The recycling facility in Krefeld processes up to 140 tons of packaging waste daily, aiming to separate different materials for recycling.
• 🔄 The initial sorting process involves separating materials by size, with larger items moving to the end of a drum and smaller ones falling through holes.
• 🧵 Light materials like plastic bags and films are transported upwards while heavier ones move downwards during the sorting process.
• ♻️ Polyethylene bags and films can be recycled, but polystyrene, like the one used for chips, is not recyclable in this process.
• 🍶 A magnet is used to separate aluminum packaging, but items like yogurt cups with aluminum lids are initially misplaced but later corrected by a scanner.
• 🚫 Scanners can identify and sort polypropylene and polyethylene, but they cannot recognize black plastic bottles or multi-material plastics, making them unsuitable for recycling.
• 🔎 The scanner uses air pressure to eject identified plastic items onto the correct conveyor belt for their respective types of plastic.
• 🗑 Items that cannot be recycled, such as black shower gel bottles, are sorted out and sent to waste incineration plants where they generate electricity and heat.
• 🔄 Sorted plastics are compressed into bales and stored, ready to be broken down and cleaned for the recycling process, which includes removing labels and contaminants.
• 🌿 Non-recyclable items like the black shower gel bottle can still be utilized in cement plants' rotary kilns, contributing to energy production.
• 🔢 Only about 23% of plastics from packaging are recycled, while 77% are incinerated, indicating that the actual recycling rate is much lower than what is ideal.

Q & A

What is the daily capacity of the packaging waste recycling facility in Krefeld?

The facility in Krefeld processes up to 140 tons of packaging waste daily.

What is the first step in the recycling process at the facility?

The first step is to separate materials by size using a large rotating drum, where smaller materials fall through the holes.

How are light and heavy materials separated after the initial size sorting?

Light materials like bags and foils are transported upwards, while heavier materials move downwards on a vibrating plate.

Which type of plastic bags are manually sorted and why?

Bags and foils made of polyethylene are manually sorted because they can be easily recycled.

Why can't the polystyrene chips bag be recycled?

The polystyrene chips bag is not suitable for recycling due to its material composition.

How are aluminum packaging and plastic yogurt cups with aluminum lids separated in the process?

A magnet is used to separate aluminum packaging. The plastic yogurt cup, still with its aluminum lid, is mistakenly sorted with aluminum but is later given a new chance by a scanner that recognizes it and ejects it onto the correct conveyor belt for polypropylene.

What role does the scanner play in the recycling process?

The scanner identifies the type of plastic and uses an air jet to eject items like the yogurt cup and WC-cleaner bottle onto the appropriate conveyor belt for their respective plastics.

Why is the black shower gel bottle not recyclable?

The black shower gel bottle is not recyclable because the scanner cannot recognize black plastics.

What happens to the sorted plastics after they are separated?

The sorted plastics are pressed into bales and stored separately in an intermediate storage area.

What percentage of plastics from packaging is actually recycled, according to the script?

Approximately 23 percent of plastics from packaging are recycled.

What is the fate of the non-recyclable materials like the black shower gel bottle?

Non-recyclable materials are sent to waste-to-energy plants, where they are incinerated to generate electricity and heat.

What is the ultimate goal of the recycling process described in the script?

The ultimate goal is to convert the sorted and cleaned plastics into small flakes that can be used to create new plastic materials.