Final answer:
Plastic water bottles in North America are typically recycled by being cleaned, shredded, and melted into pellets to create new plastic products. The process requires the separation of different plastic types and depends on market demands for recycled materials. Recycling reduces the use of non-renewable resources and environmental contamination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best description of how plastic water bottles are recycled in North America is C|+| Water bottles are cleaned, shredded, and melted down into pellets that can be made into a new bottle. This recycling process involves several key steps. Initially, plastic bottles are collected and cleaned to remove any contaminants. The clean bottles are then shredded into small pieces and melted down. The molten plastic is formed into pellets, which serve as raw materials for making new plastic products, including new bottles. This method of recycling conserves resources and reduces the environmental impact of plastic waste.
It is important to note the broader context of plastic recycling. Recycling programs often focus on specific commodity plastics that are easier to recycle, such as polyethylene terephthalate (used in soft drink bottles), which can be repurposed into various products like plastic furniture and carpets. However, the recycling process does face challenges like the need for the separation of different plastic types and the energy-related costs associated with waste collection, transportation, and processing.
Recycling is crucial because it offers a more sustainable alternative to creating new materials from scratch, which uses non-renewable hydrocarbon resources and can lead to overwhelming amounts of waste. When there is a market for recycled materials, recycling can also be an economically viable option, although market fluctuation can affect its profitability.