Recycle or Not?\nAn Exploration of Microplastic Generation\nDuring Plastic Processing via a Local Case Study

Microplastic (MP), an emerging pollutant, has been identified\nas\na critical target in tackling plastic pollution. Although a plethora\nof studies have explored MP generation from various sources, limited\nattention has been paid to plastic processing. This study investigated\nMP (10 μm–5 mm) generation in virgin and waste plastic\nextrusion processing. MPs at a density of 2.13 × 10<sup>5</sup>–9.79 × 10<sup>7</sup> (approximately 0.01–10.85\ng) were generated when processing 1 t of plastic. Feedstock sources,\npolymer types, and pelletizing techniques were found to influence\nthe process. With a moderate weight (270.58–527.34 t) but enormous\namount (1.34 × 10<sup>16</sup>–2.63 × 10<sup>16</sup>) of MPs generated globally in 2022, plastic processing is an underestimated\nbut vital source of MPs, emphasizing the need for MP inspection and\nappropriate removal technologies in the industry, especially for virgin\nplastic processing and water ring pelletizing. Further simulation\nindicated that up to 84.35% of MPs could be removed using commonly\navailable materials in the investigated plastic processing facility,\nwith a higher removal efficiency for larger-sized particles. In this\nregard, plastic recycling was superior to virgin plastic processing\nwith fewer and larger-sized MPs generated, which could facilitate\nMP removal and should be fostered.