Chloe Zhang
Plastic model kits are a fun and creative hobby, but what happens to all the leftover plastic once your model is complete? The sprues, or channels that the liquefied plastic travels through to create the model parts, often end up as waste. With plastic waste contributing to land and atmospheric pollution, it is important to consider ways to recycle or repurpose these plastic leftovers. While simply putting sprues in the recycling bin is not advisable, as they may not be sorted at the plant and could end up incinerated, there are other options to consider. Some companies, like Bandai Namco Holdings Inc., have launched projects to collect and recycle plastic waste from model kits. Additionally, hobbyists can get creative and use leftover sprues for kitbashing or model bashing, crafting new objects, or even making custom putty. With a bit of imagination and ingenuity, it is possible to give new life to plastic model kit waste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic model kits recyclable? | Sprues can technically be recycled but are not accepted in household recycling systems. |
| Plastic type | Polystyrene plastic |
| Plastic recycling | There are seven different grades of plastic that can be recycled. |
| Plastic waste | Plastic waste often ends up in landfills or is incinerated, contributing to land and atmospheric pollution. |
| Plastic reuse | Plastic sprues can be reused for crafting and modelling, such as kitbashing or creating custom putty. |
| Manufacturer initiatives | Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. has launched a project to recycle plastic parts from its model kits, with collection points across Japan. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic model kits create a lot of waste
While some model kit manufacturers, such as Bandai Namco Holdings Inc., have started projects to recycle the throw-away plastic parts from their model kits, there is still a lot of plastic waste generated by these products. For example, Bandai Namco estimates that up to 2,000 tons of frame waste are generated from the 7,000 tons of plastic used to produce its Gunpla model kits every year.
The responsibility for recycling plastic waste often falls on local councils, and the rules for what can be recycled can vary depending on the area. For example, in the UK, there are 39 different sets of rules for recycling plastic across the country. This can lead to confusion about whether certain types of plastic, such as sprues, can be recycled.
Even if sprues cannot be recycled through a local council, there are still ways to reduce waste. For example, sprues can be cut up and used for crafting or modelling projects, such as kitbashing or creating custom putty. However, this is not a long-term solution as the amount of sprue waste can quickly accumulate beyond what can be stored or used.
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Sprues can be recycled into custom putty
Plastic model kits produce a lot of plastic waste, and most of the sprues that are thrown away will end up in a landfill or be incinerated, contributing to land and atmospheric pollution. However, there are ways to recycle sprues into custom putty or "sprue goo".
Firstly, the sprues must be cut into very small pieces. The smaller the pieces, the easier it will be to dissolve them in modelling cement. The sprue bits are then placed in a glass jar, and plastic cement is added drop by drop until the plastic is completely dissolved. As the modelling cement evaporates from the sprue putty, the melted plastic will remain. This custom sprue putty can be used for sculpting and texturing special effects, as well as for filling gaps and cracks when repairing household objects.
Alternatively, the sprues can be cut into strips to make ruined building girders, bricks, or stonework for terrain and bases for miniatures. Kitbashing or model bashing is another practice where sprues can be used to create a new model or miniature from the parts of other kits.
Sprues can also be recycled with a bit of creativity and innovation. For example, they can be melted down and used as raw material for new objects.
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Kitbashing or model bashing is a form of recycling
Plastic model kits generate a lot of plastic waste, which often ends up in landfills or is incinerated, contributing to land and atmospheric pollution. However, kitbashing or model bashing is a form of recycling, where you can create a new model or miniature from the parts of other kits.
Kitbashing is a practice where you create a new scale model by taking pieces out of kits. These pieces may be added to a custom project or to another kit. Kitbashing is often used to create unusual or particularly complex models. The practice is similar to a collage, where several individual models are combined into an entirely new model. For instance, in the original Star Wars trilogy, all the spaceships were handmade by model makers on the film set, who combined elements from different plastic model kits. This kitbashing technique allowed them to repurpose the exhaust pipe from a German WWII tank model for the outside of a Star Wars spaceship.
Kitbashing is also used by professional modelmakers to create concept models for detailing movie special effects. Commercial model kits provide a ready source of "detailing", with mass-produced components that can be used to add fine detail to an existing model. Professionals often kitbash to build prototype parts that are then recreated with lightweight materials. Kitbashing is also used in model railroading, where structure kits are reconfigured to fit the geometry of a specific space.
In the digital realm, kitbashing refers to creating highly detailed virtual forms for science fiction or industrial visualization projects. Digital artists can use pre-built models and textures to quickly construct unique and complex virtual forms. This form of kitbashing can be done using 3D software, where multiple 3D models are combined into a new one, which can then be 3D printed and painted.
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Bandai Namco recycles plastic waste from Gundam models
Plastic model kits, like most plastic products, contribute to land and atmospheric pollution when they end up in landfills or are incinerated. However, Japanese toymaker Bandai Namco is taking steps to address this issue by recycling the materials used in its Gunpla plastic models, which are based on the popular Mobile Suit Gundam sci-fi robot anime franchise.
Bandai Namco's ECOPLA Project aims to collect the runners (the frame of the plastic model) of Gunpla models and recycle them into new plastic model products through chemical recycling, a cutting-edge technology. The project is part of Bandai Namco's effort to raise fans' awareness of Gunpla and encourage them to experience the models from production to purchase to recycling. By participating in this project, fans can help reduce plastic waste and contribute to a more sustainable hobby.
There are also other ways to recycle plastic model kits beyond Bandai Namco's initiative. For example, the plastic sprues from kits can be used for kitbashing or model bashing, where new models or miniatures are created from the parts of other kits. Plastic sprues can be cut into miniature "bricks" and reconstructed into new structures, such as a scale model building. With polystyrene plastic, which is commonly used in modelling kits, crafters can also create custom putty or "sprue goo" by dissolving small pieces of the plastic in modelling cement or glue.
These creative recycling methods not only reduce plastic waste but also encourage ingenuity and imagination in the modelling community. By sharing and implementing these ideas, modellers can make their hobby more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
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Plastic recycling rules vary across different places
Plastic model kits can be recycled, but the methods of doing so vary. The plastic used in model kits is polystyrene, which can be dissolved using volatile solvents such as toluene or methyl benzene. However, it is important to note that the recycling rules for plastics differ across various regions and localities.
The recycling industry is complex and dynamic, with regulations frequently being updated and amended. These rules differ across countries, regions, and even local areas. For example, the US, Europe, and India have adopted distinct approaches to managing recycled plastic materials. In the US, recycled plastic can be used in packaging and food-contact wraps if it meets the same quality standards as virgin plastic. On the other hand, Europe takes a stricter approach, reviewing each step of the recycling process in detail.
Local councils and programs also play a crucial role in establishing recycling guidelines and initiatives. They provide information on what types of plastic are accepted for recycling in their respective areas. It is always advisable to check with your local recycling program to understand the specific rules and accepted materials in your community.
Additionally, manufacturers are often the most affected by plastic regulations, as policies have increasingly focused on plastic packaging. There is a growing emphasis on producers to consider the environmental impact of their products and explore the use of recycled plastic in their manufacturing processes.
The recycling process is influenced by various factors, including consumer pressure on manufacturers for transparency and sustainable practices. It is important to stay informed about the specific regulations in your area to ensure proper recycling practices.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic model kits can be recycled, but it depends on the type of plastic and your local council's rules. There are seven different grades of plastic that can be recycled, each with its own rules.
Look for the triangular symbol with a number inside, this indicates the grade of plastic.
You can hold on to it and use it for crafting or modelling projects, such as kitbashing or creating a dice tower.
Kitbashing is a practice where you create a new model or miniature from the parts of other kits. You can use the leftover plastic sprues from model kits to sculpt something new.
Yes, Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. has launched a project to recycle plastic parts from its model kits based on the Japanese anime series "Mobile Suit Gundam". They have collection points across Japan and plan to reuse the plastic for new products and thermal power generation.
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