How is recycled plastic processed

Standard size reduction of plastics is performed by shredders and granulators. These machines have industrial blades that perform rotational cutting to chop down the plastic, which is passed through a screen and then taken away for the next stage in the process. To maintain high standards of purity and quality, all Plasgran shredders and granulators have trained operators at each machine, and metal detectors fitted to customised conveyor systems.

Next come the separation phases. After sorting and cutting, the plastic pieces can be washed to remove traces of dirt and contaminants, which vary from paper and glue, to sand and grit, and mixed plastic types that can be separated in water. Float tanks are commonly used to separate the plastic pieces according to density. Washers and water baths or tanks are used to remove contaminants in washing lines that continuously spray hot water over the plastic pieces to remove dirt and any labels stuck to the surface of the materials.

Chemicals, detergents, disinfectants or other products can be added to improve cleaning and separation.

Scrap plastic at Plasgran is processed by our washing and drying plants, capable of cleaning large quantities of plastic waste or scrap. We use a unique three-stage density separation tank that utilises a sink-float differentiation process to separate polymers and contaminants.

With dry treatments, plastic is differentiated based on air classification, which basically means that thinner materials are filtered from thick ones. Apart from size and shape, plastic can also be separated by other features. Heat can be applied to plastic to separate materials by melting point, whilst fluorescent or ultraviolet light helps to divide them according to colour, or their ability to absorb light.

At Plasgran, we have a purpose-built, on-site separation plant. Using the most advanced technologies, our fully-automated machines are capable of sorting plastic materials by colour and type. We can also handle removal of metal contamination, electro-static removal of wood, rubber or foil contaminants, de-dusting and sieving of soiled or dirty materials, and removal of fines.

The final step in most plastics recycling processes is compounding , which involves converting plastic regrinds into pellets, and often the incorporation of elements to transform the reclaimed plastics into high-quality, reusable materials. As such, anything marked with a number 7 is generally not included in the plastic recycling process but may have other waste solutions. As it stands today, the plastics recycling process faces many challenges, and unlike glass and aluminum, plastics are not infinitely recyclable , meaning that with each subsequent processing, the recycled material degrades and is a lesser quality than virgin materials.

Innovations like chemical recycling are occurring to keep more plastics in the recycling loop for longer. As individuals and businesses increasingly engage with the plastic recycling process, we are likely to see it continue to improve. Along with the shift towards new products and plastic alternatives, this signifies a slow but steady movement in the right direction.

The plastic recycling process is likely to receive a huge boost as we become more conscientious in the way we use resources and manufacture products. In fact, while waste management concepts such as the circular economy and zero waste are broadly aligned with a move away from single-use plastics, recycling will remain a part of the waste management process for the foreseeable future, allowing us to gradually move away from unnecessary plastics and increase the recyclability of those that remain necessary.

To learn more about how to keep plastic out of landfill, subscribe to our blog , or speak with one of our TRUE Waste Advisors to learn how to improve waste and recycling practices in your business. Locations Haulers Residents. Blog Recycling , Types of Waste. Why is plastic recycling important and what are the challenges faced by the industry? The plastic recycling process steps 1. Washing Washing is a crucial step in the plastic recycling process since it removes some of the impurities that can impede the operation, or completely ruin a batch of recycled plastic.

Shredding The plastic is then fed into shredders, which break it down into much smaller pieces. Identification and separation of plastics Here, the plastic pieces are tested for their class and quality. The different types of plastic There are numerous types of plastic, and when trying to familiarize yourself with the plastic recycling process and avoid contamination, there are seven categories to remember.

Number 1: PETE or PET — Polyethylene Terephthalate One of the most common types of plastic you are likely to come across — this is the resin used for the manufacture of products such as food containers and plastic bottles for water or soft drinks.

Number 3: PVC — Polyvinyl Chloride PVC is considered one of the most versatile and common plastic types and is used for applications such as water and waste pipes due to it being very resistant to chemical and biological damage , flooring, signage, furniture, and more. Number 4: LDPE — Low-Density Polyethylene While not as strong as HDPE, this low-density plastic is highly resilient and used across a wide range of products such as containers, playground fixtures, and plastic trash bags.

Number 5: PP — Polypropylene Commonly used in injection molding, this plastic can be found in products from bottle caps to surgical tools and clothing.

Number 6: PS — Polystyrene This plastic is frequently used as disposable plastic containers for food, as insulated containers, and in packaging materials. Number 7: Other This category encompasses everything else, which can include combinations of any of the previous six as well as other lesser-used plastics.

Download this blog to share. If we do not remove them they must be removed by employees at the recycling center before they can be processed [6]. Not all types of plastic can be recycled, but how do you know which can and which cannot be recycled? On most plastic containers and bottles you will find a small number denoting the type of plastic that it is.

This code is not required, but it is becoming more and more common. These plastics are different types of polyethylene and polypropylene. They are used in items ranging from water bottles and toys to grocery bags. These plastics are the most common types used. These are PVC, polystyrene, and all other types of plastics not mentioned. These plastics have been shown to contain toxins and chemicals that cause human health problems [7].

Since the mass production of plastics began in the s, we have produced over 8. Out of the remaining 91 percent, around 12 percent has been incinerated and 79 percent is currently in landfills [4].

This plastic will sit in landfills for the next hundreds of years before it degrades if it even will and during that time even more plastic will accumulate. Over the last 10 years more and more products have begun to be produced using recycled plastics. These products span a huge range: from skateboards to reusable bags to even sunglasses [8].

The opportunity for more and different types of recycled plastic products is nearly endless. The amount of recycled plastic products is ever increasing. This is a positive sign that people are becoming more environmentally aware of the negative impacts of plastics and benefit of recycling them. Almost all of the plastic we use becomes waste and a huge amount eventually reaches our oceans, rivers, and terrestrial habitats.

We already know this waste has huge implications for our natural ecosystems and cannot be allowed to continue. As a species we need to acknowledge this problem and work together to actively conquer it.

A good start to this battle is recycling the plastics that we already use and being positive role models for our peers. Reducing your use of plastic is best, but recycling your plastic whenever possible is the next-best solution! Be sure to leave the closures on your plastic bottles for recycling. That is misstated in the article. The American Plastic Recyclers organization recommends leaving the closures on so that material can be recycled too.

Individual caps are not recyclable on their own. I will need a course on plastic recycling to achieve my objective. God bless u. I have enjoyed reading this article and it has just picked up my interest in recycled or recycling plastics especially in my country Kenya.

When it comes to recycling, making sure that the correct kind of plastic can be recycled can make a huge difference between sending the plastic off to a recycling plant and it ending up in a landfill.

If I had the chance to work for a recycling plant then I would want to make sure that any and all kinds of plastic brought in from construction sites are handled properly and can be recycled down the road. If one is sincerely concerned about the finite supply of fossil fuels, insist on biodegradable plastic made only from agricultural sources. Boycott plastic made from oil or natural gas.

Food costs will skyrocket but we will not have a plastic planet. Yes, I have read about a few projects of this type. For example, the Guardian published an article about chemistry professor from India that has been re-purposing non-recyclable plastic waste into roads.

I think, there are many researchers that feel intrigued by this problem and are trying to find a solution. I believe the best solution and cheapest solution to our plastic dilemma is too embrace the fact that it is a product that we cannot do without.

Recycling should be made easier and simpler which should be easy todo nowadays via simple communication.