Recycling the Formerly Non-Recyclable

The ever-growing stream of plastics that is winding up in our oceans is cause for great concern among marine biologists and other people who care about the quality of life on our planet.

Thermoplastics, like milk containers, can be re-melted and re-molded.  But, according to this: The difference in the recyclability of plastic types can be down to how they are made; thermoset plastics contain polymers that form irreversible chemical bonds and cannot be recycled.  Examples of non-recyclable plastics include bioplastics, composite plastic, plastic-coated wrapping paper and polycarbonate. Well known non-recyclable plastics include cling film and blister packaging.

2GreenEnergy supporter Gary Tulie sent me this very cool video, describing a process by which these non-recyclables can be formed into building materials.

My gut tells me that, while this is interesting, and certainly not physically impossible, it will be extremely difficult to put into practice on a level that makes economic sense, unless a society is willing to put an enormous price on the disposal of the feedstock.