Banned cancer-causing additives have been found in commercial floor covers — here’s another reason why that's concerning

In the wake of the climate crisis and mounting concerns over plastic pollution, recycling has emerged as a beacon of hope for many. Yet, as we delve deeper into the recycling process, we uncover a labyrinth of challenges and contradictions.

Recycling plastics, especially those derived from fossil fuels, holds immense importance in our battle against overconsumption and climate change. Instead of resorting to incineration or allowing plastics to languish in the environment post-use, recycling offers a route towards sustainability. In Switzerland, like in many parts of the world, efforts to collect and recycle plastic waste are underway, but they only scratch the surface of a much larger problem.

One of the most common methods of recycling plastics is through mechanical means, where the plastic waste is sorted, washed, dried, and converted into granules that are used to make new plastic products. As attractive as it seems, the process has several limitations. While it might seem environmentally beneficial to replace primary materials with recycled ones, the problem is that recycled plastics are often of poor quality. The culprit? A dizzying array of additives and chemicals incorporated into plastics for various purposes.

Further, there aren’t nearly enough regulations to push manufacturers to disclose the ingredients and processes they employ. This makes it even harder for recyclers to know what exactly is in the waste that they are sorting, creating a significant bottleneck for the whole recycling process. This also means that a surprisingly large number of common plastic items still harbour unchecked additives which could be harmful to humans and the environment.

In order to convert polymers — the building blocks of plastic — into actual usable products, manufacturers add certain chemicals to alter their properties (such as flexibility, colour, clarity and stability) as per need. Prior to mass bans across countries, many of these additives included stuff like lead and certain phthalates that pose major risks to human health and the environment.

In fact, a recent study has shed new light on the shocking contents of PVC floor coverings that are commercially available in the Swiss market. These floor coverings are a very popular item even in the Indian construction industry, since they are low-cost and can mimic luxury items such as wood and stone, while being highly resistant to wear and tear, moisture and staining. The research found that a significant portion of these Swiss products still contained harmful substances such as lead and DEHP — additives that have been banned or highly regulated in Switzerland and the European Union.

According to the study, 16% of the 24 new floor covers were found with banned harmful additives. 29% of the other floor covers examined also contained plasticisers that are still authorised for use, but have been notably linked to many cancer- and hormonal disorder-causing medical conditions. The researchers think that the presence of banned substances might be due to the fact that old and contaminated recycled plastic might knowingly or unknowingly get added to the manufacturing processes of new floorings.

This revelation underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations and enhanced recycling processes. We must develop methods to detect and remove harmful chemicals from recycled plastics, particularly in the case of PVC. Additionally, standardising material design and fostering transparency across the supply chain are imperative steps towards a more sustainable future.

In essence, while recycling holds tremendous promise, it's not a panacea. Tackling the complexities of plastic recycling demands interdisciplinary collaboration, stringent oversight, and a concerted effort to prioritise human and environmental health. Only then can we navigate the intricacies of the circular economy and pave the way for a cleaner, greener tomorrow.

The findings of this research have been published in Environmental Science & Technology and can be accessed here.