Best Sustainable Practices to Increase Durability of Plastics

Fanny LiIao is the EVP of Far New Century Corporation; her role centers around conducting research and development. She is also involved in a diverse range of projects including product innovation in the areas of textile, PET packaging, and new materials.

In conversation with Prisila, correspondent, Asia Business Outlook Magazine, Fanny expresses her perspectives on innovative techno- logies and how sustainable practices can prolong the lifecycle of plastic products.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the third most commonly used polymer in the packaging sector, dominating the beverage bottle market and accounting for nearly 16% of plastic consumption in European packaging. While PET is primarily sourced from non-renewable fossil fuels and is non-biodegradable in the environment, recent advancements suggest the potential for more sustainable PET production. There's also ongoing research exploring the biodegradation of this polyester through the enzymatic action of specially engineered bacteria or enzymes. Additionally, considering PET's high recyclability and the potential for indefinite reuse, it appears that the future trajectory of PET is very promising.

Sustainable Practices Extend the Lifecycle of Plastic Products.

Over 35 years ago, Far Eastern Group established Taiwan's first PET recycling plant with partners in Taiwan, initiating our extensive journey in plastic recycling. Presently, there are approximately a hundred thousand tons of PET bottles recycled annually in Taiwan, with Far Group contributing to more than half of this amount. As for our PET packaging sector, we are proudly recognized as the second-largest producer in the global PET market and number 1 of food-grade PET recycling capacities. Expanding our efforts, we've established recycling facilities in Japan, making it the largest in the country, along with plants in the US and the Philippines. Moreover, we're in the process of setting up additional recycling plants in various locations.

Our focus has expanded beyond PET bottle recycling. We're now engaged in research and development to explore recycling polyester fabrics sourced from secondhand or used garments. Notably, PET bottles share the same material as polyester fabric, albeit in different forms. While the common practice was to recycle bottles into fabrics, we've progressed further, achieving the capability to recycle bottles back into bottles—an advanced food-grade technology approved in the US, Europe, Taiwan, and Japan.

This advancement signifies a shift from bottle-to-fiber technology. Furthermore, we're advancing towards textile-to-textile recycling, a more complex endeavor as fabrics often contain not only polyester but also other materials like nylon, cotton, and lycra, among others. This transition to fabric-to-fabric technology poses greater challenges.

Educating plastic users about the three R principles - reuse, reduce, and recycle - is crucial. Understanding the recycling symbols on plastics, segregating recyclable materials, and ensuring proper recycling methods are essential to societal changes. The three R policy - reuse, recycle, and reduce - significantly extends the lifespan of plastic products.

Nowadays, producers, manufacturers, and major brands are collectively striving to reduce their carbon footprints to mitigate worsening global warming. The most effective and immediate methods to achieve this reduction involve significant reductions and prioritizing recycling within the plastic industry. Many brands have publicly announced their targets for incorporating a percentage of recycled materials into their products by 2050.

Innovative Technologies

In bottle recycling, obtaining Food-Grade (FG) contact approval requires eliminating non-PET materials. For instance, milk bottles are made from number two recyclable plastic (HDPE), so it's crucial to sort packaging bottles meticulously, avoiding mixing different plastics. Advanced sorting technology, like infrared sorters, plays a pivotal role. These machines can quickly sort bottles at rates of more than 40,000 per hour, with an accuracy rate of 98% or higher. This cutting-edge technology ensures cleaner and purer recycling streams, resulting in high-quality recycled materials for end products. Other essential steps include manual sorting, cleaning, chopping, and de-labeling bottle labels.

Fabric sorting technology is still evolving, aiming for enhanced efficiency and accuracy. Improved methods in sorting and sewing plastic or fabric yield purer products and allow for more efficient use of recycled bottles or garments.

The technology required for sorting, cleaning, and fabric separation, such as polyester from cotton or nylon, necessitates advancements in chemical recycling technology. Numerous chemical recycling methods are being developed by various technology companies to enhance fabric recycling. The challenges posed by fast fashion and mixed materials require innovative technologies like advanced sorting and chemical recycling techniques, such as depolymerization or enzymatic processes. These innovative technologies are crucial for enhancing recycling efficiency, economy, and accuracy.

"The technology required for sorting, cleaning, and fabric separation, such as polyester from cotton or nylon, necessitates advancements in chemical recycling technology"

A Path Ahead

I believe every consumer must develop a heightened environmental awareness when using plastic and actively engage in plastic recycling efforts. I've noticed many well-known brands initiating campaigns to encourage consumers to participate in recycling practices. For instance, H&M incentivizes customers by offering to buy back old clothes in exchange for store coupons. Similarly, Coca-Cola has taken a stand by urging consumers to refrain from purchasing their products if they don't recycle, thereby engaging consumers in plastic and garment recycling efforts. This trend signifies a positive shift towards increased consciousness regarding plastic and waste garment recycling.

It's commendable to see brands and manufacturers taking steps to contribute to this cause. It's vital for every part of the supply chain, from manufacturers to consumers and recyclers, to actively participate in recycling efforts. Having been involved in the recycling business for 35 years, I've identified that obtaining waste PET bottles or fabric is a critical challenge. Without a steady supply of these materials, recycling plants cannot function efficiently. Therefore, everyone involved in the supply chain, including manufacturers, consumers, and recyclers, plays an indispensable role in the plastic supply and recycling chains.