Mandates, as a means of expanding markets, can be troubling. Mandates often fail to take health, safety and performance attributes into account. Moreover, they are unable to acknowledge the life cycle benefits to the environment, such as the efficient use of energy and natural resources. Feedstock Recycling Pyrolysis involves heating plastics in the absence or near absence of oxygen to break down the long polymer chains into small molecules. Under mild conditions polyolefins can yield a petroleum-like oil.
Special conditions can yield monomers such as ethylene and propylene.
Chemical recycling is a special case where condensation polymers such as PET or nylon are chemically reacted to form starting materials. In contrast to pyrolysis, combustion is an exothermic, oxidative process that generates heat, carbon dioxide, and water. Source Reduction Source reduction is gaining more attention as an important resource conservation and solid waste management option. Source reduction activities reduce the consumption of resources at the point of generation. Using packaging that reduces the amount of damage or spoilage to the product.