Does plastic have to be thoroughly washed to recycle it? Five recycling myths that science has already debunked.

According to Acoplásticos, Colombia generates more than 1.4 million tons of plastic waste each year, only 11% of which is effectively recycled. Given this situation, technology is consolidating as an indispensable ally.

Thanks to innovations in materials science, it's now possible to transform complex waste into new products, extend the useful life of materials, and design packaging that's designed from the ground up to facilitate recycling.

Although we often don't notice it, these advances are present in everyday objects, facilitating separation, recovery, and reuse processes without the consumer having to make additional efforts.

In this sense, many people are wondering how they can contribute to this problem from their homes. With this in mind, Dow, a leading global materials science company, shares five myths and truths about recycling plastics at home.

False. It's not necessary to leave packaging spotless, but it is necessary to remove visible food or liquid residue. In many cases, a quick rinse is sufficient. Current technologies allow materials with some surface residue to be processed without impeding their recycling. Furthermore, there are now resins designed to facilitate this process, making the transformation of waste into new products more efficient.

False. Although traditionally many food packaging has been difficult to recycle because it consists of multiple layers, today there are alternatives designed from the ground up to facilitate this process, eliminating the use of metal structures. In Colombia, recyclable packaging has already been developed for various products such as coffee, pet food, frozen foods, chocolates, and others.

These solutions, created by Dow in partnership with converters such as Coldeplast and Alico, demonstrate that it is possible to combine functionality, product preservation, and circularity in a single package.

False. Without materials science, recycling wouldn't be possible as we do today. Dow has developed technologies like Revoloop™, a high-quality post-consumer resin that allows for the creation of new packaging from used plastics.

Additionally, through its global network of Pack Studios, the company collaborates with customers, manufacturers, and recyclers to design products that are easier to reuse and recycle from the outset.

False. Recycling works when the entire chain works together. Proper sorting at home is essential for the material to have value at collection centers and be reincorporated into new production chains.

Dow promotes recycling models and develops technologies that allow the recovery of even plastics previously considered unrecyclable. This expands the range of recyclable materials and strengthens the work of recyclers across the country.

False. The problem isn't the material itself, but how we classify it and what we do with it. Plastics are lightweight, durable, and essential for applications such as food, healthcare, and infrastructure. The key lies in how they are designed, how they are used, and how they are managed after their useful life.

It's important to keep in mind that not all recycling is useful. While separating waste is always better than leaving it in the streets or rivers, it's materials science that makes it possible to truly reuse this waste.

Environment and Health Journalist