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Plastic waste refers to the discarded materials made of plastic that accumulate in the environment. Plastics are a significant part of municipal solid waste, with containers and packaging being the largest contributors. In 2018, over 14.5 million tons of plastic waste were generated from packaging alone. Recycling of plastic waste involves the recovery and transformation of plastic materials to create new products, reducing the need for virgin raw materials and helping to protect the environment from pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite the benefits, recycling rates for plastics are lower compared to materials like aluminum, glass, and paper.
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