Final answer:
Recycling plastic has not been widely adopted due to limited demand and markets, high energy costs, and operational challenges.
Step-by-step explanation:
Recycling plastic has not been as widely adopted or efficient due to several reasons:
- Limited demand and market: Recycling is only profitable when there is a market for the recycled material, and such markets fluctuate with the economic cycle. During the recession in 2008, the demand for recycled materials practically disappeared.
- High energy costs: The energy-related costs of collecting, transporting, and processing plastic waste for recycling can be significant, making it less feasible.
- Operational challenges: Collecting plastic waste from various sources, transporting it, and separating different types of plastics into waste streams require significant effort and resources.
These factors make plastics recycling less efficient and hinder widespread adoption.