For many people, the term “made from recycled materials” automatically triggers a positive response. Recycling itself is generally considered to be a net benefit as an environmentally sound and economically responsible alternative. But is it possible for this beneficial process to ultimately lead to serious injuries in consumers?
The concept of a circular economy driven by recycling is well-researched. The model itself is generally characterized by the recycling and reuse of two groups of materials: the recycling of metals and the recycling of plastics. Further, it is generally understood that recycling turns a product, ultimately, into another product. For example, when someone drops an empty water bottle into a recycling bin, that product is most often ground up and reused to make something other than a water bottle in its next iteration. Perhaps the plastic material from the water bottle is next used to create plastic bags for retail shopping or, in some instances, a base clothing material.
How can this process lead to injury or illness?
While the recycling process for both metals and plastics is most often considered a positive for both the environment and the economy, it can introduce issues in consumer products, for example:
- Chemical contamination: While the plastic itself might survive the recycling process intact, there could be an accumulation of chemicals in the resulting product. These new chemicals could be added to the mixture during the recycling process or picked up by the original product and not washed properly. In a worst-case scenario, this contamination can lead to Benzene poisoning and, potentially, cancer.
- Material fatigue: Metal recycling is an accepted way to control costs and reduce waste, but it also introduces impurities into the resulting product. If these unwanted elements are not removed from the composition early on, it can cause a dramatic reduction in the overall material strength. This, unfortunately, can lead to devastating breaks based on the material’s ultimate dispensation (think: metal fatigue on a 20-foot aluminum ladder). This failure can lead to severe accidents and critical injuries.
For these reasons, it is crucial that consumers pay careful attention to any injuries or illnesses sustained while or immediately after using products that followed a questionable manufacturing process. Whether the injury was caused by faulty construction, defective packaging or substandard materials, it is wise to seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney who can carefully examine the situation and provide a tailored course of action.
