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Plastics Recycling Information
Large-scale municipally
sponsored recycling programs are a relatively recent phenomenon having grown
rapidly over the last decade. As these recycling programs have evolved,
the most
prevalent plastic packages in the waste stream HDPE (high-density
polyethylene)
have been utilized in a large part to manufacture plastic
lumber.
As with all other recyclables, the infrastructure for recycling
plastics consists of the following major components:
Collection:
Before plastics can be recycled, they must be collected or recovered
from the waste stream. The two common forms of collection are: (1) curbside
collection - where consumers place designated plastics in a special container at
the curb outside their homes for pick-up by a public or private hauler; (2)
drop-off centers - where consumers bring their plastics to a centrally located
collection points.
Handling:
After plastics are
collected, they are delivered to a handler for sorting (if necessary) and
densification.
Sorting: Most collection programs today are
multi-material, commingled programs. This means that plastics are collected with
other recyclable packaging such as steel, glass and aluminum. In these programs,
plastics will need to be separated - or sorted - from the other materials before
they can be sent to market.
Reclamation:
Reclamation is the step where sorted and densified plastics are
converted into flakes or pellets, which can then be used to manufacture new
products. (Pellets and flakes are the two forms in which plastic feedstocks are
commonly sold.) Flakes are made by feeding plastic articles (e.g., bottles) into
a granulator where they are chopped into small uniform-sized chips of material.
Washing The vast majority of reclaimers, however, will wash and
dry incoming plastics in flake form and then convert them into pellets. Pellets
are made by melting plastic and extruding it into thin strands (that look like
spaghetti) that are then chopped into small, uniform pieces. The process
selected by a reclaimer will depend on the products being manufactured since
some products are made from pellets and others can be made from flakes.
End-Use:
Once the plastic is in flake or pellet form, it
can then be sold to manufactures to be made into plastic lumber. Recycled
plastic lumber has been in manufactured since the early 1980s.
Plastic lumber is most commonly manufactured from post-consumer high density
polyethylene (HDPE), but linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and low density
polyethylene (LDPE) are also used. These plastic feed stocks are derived
by reclaimer. For example, some reclaimers that are confident with the
cleanliness and quality of the material coming into their facility may simply
grind the plastic into flakes for sale to end-users, or use it to make plastic
lumber. When the recycled plastic requires further processing, then
it is cleaned, shredded, and ground using plastic shredders and
Granulators. The material is then run through a plastic extruder and mixed with
foaming agents, UV stabilizers, and color pigments.
Recyclable
Plastic
Plastic stamped #1
or #2on the bottom. Some areas only accept clear plastic or certain shapes.
Even a small amount of the wrong type of plastic can ruin a melt. Much plastic
collected for recycling is actually landfilled.
Plastic bags
marked #2 or #4 Many grocery stores take bags.
If you have further questions please address them to
pvan123@aol.com.
Questions concerning equipment for plastic recycling equipment or plastic
lumber will be answered as soon as possible.
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