Recycled Plastics as an Energy Source

The order is based on the economic value of the recycled product. The highest priority is based on using the plastic for its original specifications, which retains the energy and effort needed to produce the plastic and gives a high sales price. However, the recycled material would compete with virgin resin, and would have to have high purity. The lowest priority converts the material to energy, usually as electricity or steam, thereby recovering its fuel value but discarding its value as a solid material. The recovery of energy from waste plastics tends to be the lowest priority among its recycling possibilities, but it may be the easiest to achieve since mixtures of plastics may be used.