What are the consequences of melting plastics from ocean garbage patches?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the potential outcomes of melting plastics collected from ocean garbage patches, specifically focusing on the implications of combining different types of plastics in a furnace. Participants are interested in the physical and chemical interactions of various plastics when subjected to high temperatures.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes the idea of trawling ocean garbage patches and melting the collected plastics, questioning the outcome of such an action.
  • Another participant suggests that the process would result in a "big mess" that would not be recyclable.
  • A question is raised about whether the melted plastics would form a single solid mass.
  • Responses indicate uncertainty, with one participant suggesting that while the plastics might combine, the result would likely not be homogeneous.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the outcome of melting the plastics, with some indicating that a solid mass may form while others emphasize the likelihood of a messy result. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of the melting process and the characteristics of the resulting material.

ANarwhal
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What would happen if I trawled one of the oceans garbage patches (say the great pacific or atlantic garbage patches) and put everything I trawled into a furnace with an inert gas hot enough to melt the majority of plastics I picked up, what would be the outcome?

I am looking to know more about why certain types of plastics may not combine with others into a big mold.
 
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You would be making a big mess which you wouldn't be able to recycle.
 
Would the plastics still form 1 solid?
 
Hard to say. Most likely yes, but not a homogeneous one. As SteamKing wrote, all you will get would be something messy.
 

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