Challenges with large plastics

 Size & Handling Issues

• Large plastics (e.g., bins, crates, pipes) do not fit into standard recycling equipment, requiring manual breaking or shredding before processing.

• Bulky items can jam conveyor belts or overload shredders if not properly pre-processed.
  

Material Composition

• Many large plastic items are made of reinforced plastics, mixed polymers, or thermoset plastics (which cannot be melted down and reshaped).

• Fiberglass, carbon fiber, and plastic-metal composites complicate recycling.
  

Collection & Transportation

• Large plastic waste is difficult to collect and transport efficiently due to its size and weight.

• Not all municipal recycling programs accept bulky plastics, requiring special drop-off centers.
  

Degradation & Contamination

• Outdoor plastics (like playground equipment and patio furniture) degrade under UV exposure, making them weaker for recycling.

• Contaminants (such as embedded metal parts, paints, and coatings) require extra cleaning or removal before recycling.

References: Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R., & Law, K. L. (2017). "Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made." Science Advances, 3(7), e1700782.

• Plastics Recyclers Europe. "Large Plastic Object Recycling."