A new approach to recycling mixed plastics

Could this be the innovation that makes plastic recycling viable?  

Every year, vast quantities of plastic waste litter the beaches of the Pacific, threatening marine life and the environment. However, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that an innovative Sydney-based company, Talon, is turning this challenge into an opportunity by transforming beach plastic waste into durable products like power poles. 

Talon recently launched a plastics micro-processing plant near Suva, Fiji. With support from the University of Southern Queensland and the British government, this groundbreaking initiative aims to tackle the issue of plastic waste through an efficient recycling process that doesn’t require the time-consuming task of sorting different types of plastics. Instead, mixed plastics are shredded, melted, and compressed into a versatile material. This matrix is further reinforced with a fabric layer made from cotton and recycled plastic bags, enhancing its strength and market appeal. 

Geoff Germon, Talon’s chief executive and an adjunct professor of design at Canberra University, highlighted the pressing need for such innovation. Traditional recycling methods, which rely on separating plastics into categories like polyethylene and polycarbonate, only recycle about 13% of collected materials. Germon explained that Talon’s method eliminates the need for sorting, making it possible to recycle all manner of plastic items together. 

Talon’s work extends beyond cleanup efforts. The company is also engaging with Fiji’s Centre of Appropriate Technology and Development to train workers in using this technology, creating jobs and empowering rural communities. Meanwhile, students from Canberra University are exploring innovative applications for the recycled material, including vertical gardens and artificial reef modules. 

The project’s primary focus is producing large, heavy-duty items like power poles, which can replace traditional materials such as steel and concrete. According to Germon, this approach not only maximizes the amount of recycled plastic but also showcases the potential of this technology on a global scale. 

Image credit: The Sydney Morning Herald

At Take 3 for the Sea, we applaud efforts like Talon’s, which combine ingenuity and environmental responsibility. Every piece of litter collected and recycled is one less item floating in the ocean where it can harm or even kill marine wildlife. However, recycling alone will not end the plastic pollution crisis – we need to turn off the plastic tap by reducing the amount of plastic we use in the first place. This is where every one of us can make a difference – it’s easy to make small lifestyle changes to reduce our plastic footprint: 

• Say No to plastic straws – use a metal or bamboo straw, or don’t use a straw at all 
• Use a reusable coffee cup instead of a plastic-lined disposable one 
• Take your own cloth bags to the supermarket  
• Buy more bulk food and fewer plastic-packaged products Use glass or steel containers instead of plastic food containers 

The solution to plastic pollution is complex but if we all do our bit, together we can solve the problem.