We are recycling toxins

Not the way: The process of plastics recycling can create new toxic substances, adding even more chemicals that could endanger human health. — 123rf

RECENTLY published data from 13 countries, including Malaysia, identified nearly 500 chemicals in recycled plastic pellets, including pesticides, industrial chemicals, PCBs, and other toxic substances.

In pellets from Malaysia, 123 chemicals were detected in two samples that were analysed. The data is especially relevant now as Malaysian government officials will be participating in the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Ottawa from April 23 to 29.

The International Pollutants Elimination Network (Ipen) is a global network of public interest groups working for a toxic-free future. As a participating organisation, the Consumers’ Associa-tion of Penang (CAP) acquired recycled plastics (called plastic pellets) from recycling companies in Penang and had them analysed for toxic chemicals. The testing was conducted by scientists in Denmark, Germany and Sweden, and the data was recently published.

In the first sample from Malay-sia, 107 chemicals were detected; in the second sample, 111 chemicals were detected; 95 of these chemicals were present in both samples.

Out of the 30 chemicals detected at the highest concentration, half were traces from various stages of the production of different types of plastics. These 30 chemicals also include several bioactive substances, including pesticides such as chlorpyrifos, and pharmaceuticals. In addition, they include three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (carcinogenic and may affect eyes, kidneys and liver).

At the three global plastics treaty talks held so far, some countries favour approaches that would rely on plastic recycling as a significant tool for resolving the plastics crisis. But this new data adds to increasing evidence that plastics recycling is a vector for the spread of toxic chemicals and therefore should not be considered a means of dealing with plastic pollution.

Plastics are made with toxic chemicals, so when they are recycled, these chemicals end up in the recycled material. An effective plastics treaty needs to address the health and environmental threat from plastics chemicals and include approaches to control plastics production. We cannot recycle our way out of the toxic plastics problem.

Recycled plastics can also contain chemical contaminants from the way the original plastics are used. For example, if plastic pesticide containers are recycled, the toxic pesticides can end up in the recycled material.

Also, the process of plastics recycling can create new toxic substances, adding even more chemicals to recycled plastic. This means that workers in plastics recycling facilities, consumers who use recycled plastic products, waste workers who handle recycled plastics, and communities near recycling and waste operations are all at risk from exposure to a stew of toxic chemicals.

Currently, there are no international requirements to monitor chemicals in recycled plastics or make the chemical content of plastic materials and products publicly available and accessible. This means that the spread of chemicals from recycled plastics is currently untraceable and uncontrollable. International controls are needed due to the extensive international trade in chemicals, plastics, and plastics waste.

The new plastics treaty will be an important instrument to address toxic chemicals in plastics in many ways. To do so, it is important that the treaty contains strong, legally binding control provisions that call for:

> The elimination of toxic chemicals throughout the full lifecycle of plastics.

> Mandatory, publicly available and accessible disclosure of information on chemicals.

> Measures to control plastic production volumes.

The Ipen report can be accessed at bit.ly/3Jo88GJ.

MOHIDEEN ABDUL KADER

President

Consumers’ Association of Penang