Since its appearance, plastic transformed modern life thanks to its versatility, lightness, and durability. This material revolutionized industries such as electronics, medicine, packaging, and construction, allowing the development of key products like cell phones, computers, packaging, and essential medical items. However, in a context of growing environmental awareness, the current challenge is not to stop using it, but to rethink its use with sustainability criteria.
The transition towards a responsible plastic consumption model is already underway and is based on ecodesign, recycling, and product certification with recycled content. This approach is aligned with the principles of the circular economy, which aims to close the product life cycle, as opposed to the linear “use and discard” system.
“At Ecoplas, we lead this transformation. An example is certifications, which allow consumers to make more conscious decisions. The ‘Manito’ eco-label, for instance, identifies recyclable plastic containers and products, making it easier for them to be separated at the source and subsequently recovered,” explains Verónica Ramos, executive director of Ecoplas.
Furthermore, the executive director adds: “Another tool is the INTI-Ecoplas seal, which indicates the proportion of recycled material in a product. Both labels also provide companies with a concrete opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the environment.”
Circularity and Plastic: A Resource with Much to Offer
Thanks to its insulation capacity against humidity, oxygen, and light, plastic was key in the preservation of food and medicines. Additionally, its low weight and ease of molding make it an efficient material in terms of logistics and production.
Ramos highlights that comparative studies demonstrate that plastic products, compared to alternatives like glass or metal, generate less solid waste, require fewer natural resources, and emit fewer greenhouse gases. Added to this is the positive impact of using recycled plastic, which reduces water consumption, raw material extraction, and the amount of waste generated.
The history of plastic dates back to the 19th century, with the invention of celluloid (1860) and bakelite (1907). Since then, its evolution has touched all aspects of modern life. Initially used in packaging, its use quickly expanded to sectors such as the automotive industry, which adopted it to improve vehicle efficiency and safety, and agriculture, where it allowed water savings and post-harvest losses reduction.
From Essential to Sustainable: The Challenge of the Present
Plastic is an inseparable part of social and industrial development. But its use must be accompanied by responsible management. The circular economy allows maximizing its value, promoting redesign, reuse, repair, and recycling, as promoted by Ecoplas in line with the 7Rs of sustainability.
In this path, the organization promotes environmental education, the dissemination of technical reports, the improvement of the plastic value chain, and collaboration with governments to design more sustainable public policies.
An example of the progress made is that in the last two decades, the amount of recycled plastics in Argentina has multiplied by five, thanks to the development of new recycling technologies and to an increased awareness both from citizens and businesses.
Currently, the focus is on consuming better, not necessarily less, and giving plastic a new useful life, in a virtuous cycle that benefits both the environment and society.
A new useful life for plastic. Photo: Ecoplas.
Building Sustainability: Recycled Plastic Bricks
Located in Tigre, Argentina, a family with over 15 years of experience in plastic recovery and recycling developed Easybrick, an innovative construction solution based on recycled plastic bricks.
This system addresses the environmental issue of plastic waste, solves the housing shortage, and optimizes construction efficiency.
Originally, this SME produced polyethylene and PVC pipes, but 7 years ago they shifted their focus to the circular economy. They started manufacturing bricks with 100% recovered plastic, and in 2020, they inaugurated their own plastic recycling plant. Of the 150 tons they process monthly, approximately 90 are allocated to Easybrick, and the rest is sold as raw material to other manufacturers.
Source: Ecoplas.
