Turning Recycled Products Into Raw Material

Steps in Full Circle Plastic Recycling by AZPacificPlastics.com

Step 1: The First Step Is Collecting and Separating the Plastic Materials

The First Step is collecting and separating the plastic materials based on types of plastics.

Products that can be made from recycled plastics are being identified by those manufacturers aware of the opportunities in recycling. Products that are or can be made from recycled plastics today include non-food containers, trash cans, fiber-fill for vests and jackets, traffic cones, carpet backing, insulation, plastic lumber and drain pipe. Yet, before we can begin to absorb more of the waste plastic that is not being reused, more products must be identified as compatible with recycling and more effective recycling methods must be found.

Acquire a continuous source of high grade materials. Establish cost-effective collection and transportation. Create recycling processing technology and equipment to handle material efficiently and economically. Develop the ability to market both quality and a continuous quantity of materials. Develop markets for end-products.

Technology is being developed to use mechanical and chemical processes to separate different types of plastics, such as PET and HDPE. Similar technologies are being developed to remove the labels, caps and rings from plastic soda bottles.

Products claiming to be made of recycled materials may contain anywhere from 1 to 100 percent secondary materials, which may be either post-consumer or industrial scrap. However, one point of concern is the number of times a product made from recycled plastics can be recycled. Many products made from recycled plastics must be discarded after one use. Also, the possibility of bacterial or toxic contamination restricts the use of recycled plastics in food containers. Containers used for pesticides and other toxic materials are not permitted for use in recycled materials.

Step 2: After Separation Is Completed Material Is Toll Grinded

After separation is completed material is toll grinded. Grinding of polymers - Plastic Toll Grinding

Step 3: Pelletizing Is the Process of Compressing or Molding a Material Into the Shape of a Pellet.

Pelletizing is the process of compressing or molding a material into the shape of a pellet.

The process of pelletizing combines mixing of the raw material, forming the pellet and a thermal treatment baking the soft raw pellet to hard spheres. The raw material is rolled into a ball, then fired in a kiln to sinter the particles into a hard sphere.

Plastic pellets are also known as nurdles.

Step 4: Pellets to Plastic Molds

To use the pellets, a manufacturer introduces them to equipment used in plastics molding, which melts them. The liquid mixture is shot into molds, extruded, or otherwise processed to make a finished plastic product. Known as nurdles, plastic pellets come in a range of colors and types for manufacturing use.