How a company in landlocked Nebraska is helping fight plastic pollution in oceans

Key Concepts

• Hard-to-Recycle Plastics: Plastics that are typically not accepted by municipal recycling programs (e.g., plastic silverware, grocery bags).
• Plastic Lumber: Building material manufactured from recycled plastic.
• Great Pacific Garbage Patch: The largest accumulation of floating ocean plastic in the world, located between Hawaii and California.
• Microplastics: Small plastic particles resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic items, posing a health risk through widespread exposure.
• Circular Economy (implied): A system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources.

Plastic Pollution & Innovative Recycling Solutions

The report from the Pew Charitable Trusts predicts a doubling of plastic pollution over the next 15 years, equating to the dumping of almost a garbage truck of plastic waste every second. This escalating crisis is prompting innovative solutions, as exemplified by a Nebraska-based company focused on recycling “hard-to-recycle” plastics. Unlike traditional recycling facilities, this company processes these materials in-house, converting them into plastic lumber and pallets. This approach avoids the issue of these plastics sitting unprocessed and potentially ending up in landfills.

From Nebraska to the Pacific: A Global Collaboration

The company’s work has garnered attention internationally, specifically from a University in Honolulu specializing in ocean plastic cleanup. This university collects approximately 200 tons of ocean plastic annually, sourced not only from Hawaiian waters but globally, including the Great Pacific Garbage Patch – a massive accumulation of floating plastic debris situated between Hawaii and California. Jennifer Lynch, a co-director of the Hawaiian initiative, emphasizes the pervasive nature of plastic pollution, stating, “Plastic pollution has traveled the entire globe, and every single human on the planet is experiencing exposure to micro-plastics.”

Challenges & the Pursuit of Viability

Despite the promise of this collaborative effort, significant challenges remain. Patrick, the owner of the Nebraska company, acknowledges the need for the plastic lumber to meet rigorous construction standards. A crucial question centers on the economic and environmental feasibility of transporting plastic from Hawaii to Nebraska for processing. He posits that demonstrating the success of this model could pave the way for establishing a similar processing plant in Hawaii, reducing transportation costs and carbon footprint.

Rebuilding with Recycled Materials: A Maui Case Study

A specific application being explored is the potential use of the recycled plastic lumber to help rebuild Maui, which suffered extensive damage from devastating wildfires two years ago. Patrick stresses the importance of product quality, stating, “Even though recycling and sustainability is a good story, if the product is not superior in quality or price, then people will not want to use it for whatever projects.” This highlights the need for recycled materials to be competitive with traditional building materials.

The Scale of the Problem & Long-Term Vision

The video underscores the failure of existing nationwide recycling efforts to keep pace with the increasing volume of plastic waste. The company’s ultimate goal is to demonstrate that the Great Plains region can contribute to solving the global ocean plastic crisis. The success of this venture hinges on proving the viability – both in terms of quality and cost – of the recycled plastic lumber, and establishing a sustainable logistical framework for processing plastic waste closer to its source.