Pure North Recycling recycles plastic with "green energy", that is, steam energy and electricity from steam power plants, with the aim of leaving the processing as little or no carbon footprint. Today, Pure North Recycling is the only company in Iceland that fully recycles plastic. The production method is unique in the world, as geothermal energy is used in the production, which both makes the process more environmentally friendly and operating costs are lower.
The company is four years old and recycles most of the hay roll plastic that occurs in Iceland, or about 2000 tons per year. Pure North Recycling is taking its first steps in recycling hard plastic and aims to recycle packaging plastic as well, as 95% of unprocessed packaging plastic is exported. There is therefore a lot of work to be done, but it is estimated that for every tonne recycled from plastic, 1.8 tonnes of oil are saved.
Plastic pollution is a serious man-made environmental problem that is growing. Plastic pollution is beginning to affect the ecosystem as a whole and not least the marine ecosystem. Icelanders have a large stake in the fishing industry and tourism with untouched nature, and now this development threatens our profitability and well-being.