Sofia Martinez
Plastic scrap recycling is a rapidly growing industry with a bright future. While there are technically thousands of different types of plastic, they are grouped into seven categories. These categories are based on the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system introduced in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry. The RIC system was designed to provide a consistent national system to facilitate recycling of post-consumer plastics. The recycling process involves several stages, including categorization, washing and cleaning, shredding, quality testing, and more. The most popular types of plastic scrap that are recycled in large quantities include Nylon 6 & 66, Polycarbonate, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), and Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS).
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What You'll Learn
Plastic scrap recycling
There are seven main types of plastic, each with unique chemical and physical properties that affect their sorting and recycling processes. Some types of plastic are more commonly recycled than others. For example, PET and HDPE have high recycling rates, while polystyrene and polyurethane are rarely recycled. The demand for recycled plastics and their physical properties influence the recycling rates.
One of the most common forms of recycling is mechanical recycling, where thermosoftening polymers are melted and reformed into new items. This method is simple, economical, and has a lower carbon footprint than other processes. However, certain factors, such as temperature and additives, can reduce the output quality.
Another popular recycling process is the monomer recycling process, which reverses the polymerisation reaction to create new polymers. The heat compression process, used in Japan and the USA, allows for the recycling of various plastic types simultaneously.
Some specific types of plastic scraps are widely recycled, such as Nylon 6 & 66, which are known for their strength and durability. Polycarbonate, a fully recyclable plastic, is also popular due to its strength, rigidity, and transparency. Recycled polycarbonate is commonly used in CDs, baby bottles, and smartphone components. ABS, or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, is another plastic with high market demand, contributing to its large-scale recycling.
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Plastic resins
The seven types of plastic resins are:
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE): This is the most common thermoplastic polymer resin and is known for its rigidity and transparency. It has good barrier properties against oil, alcohol, and solvents. PET is commonly used for packaging cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, carbonated beverages, mouthwashes, and liquors.
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): This thermoplastic polymer is made from repeating ethylene monomer units and is known for its rigidity and good impact strength. HDPE has better barrier properties than LDPE and is commonly used for packaging detergents, bleaches, syrups, industrial cleaning products, cosmetics, and oils.
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): PVC is the third-most-produced synthetic plastic polymer in the world and is often hard and rigid. It has good resistance to oils and low permeability to gases. PVC is commonly used for automotive chemicals, cosmetics, personal care products, household chemicals, edible oils, and vinegar.
- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): LDPE is the first grade of polyethylene and is a thermoplastic made from ethylene. It is more flexible than HDPE and has a high melting point. LDPE is used in products that require flexibility, such as plastic beverage rings, shampoo bottles, food storage containers, and dry-cleaning bags.
- Polypropylene (PP): PP is the second-most-used thermoplastic polymer globally and is known for its rigidity and resistance to chemicals. It is commonly used for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, syrups, juices, and shampoos.
- Polystyrene: This resin is very inexpensive and easy to create, which is why it is found in a wide range of products, from beverage cups and packing materials to insulation and disposable dinnerware. Polystyrene is recyclable but can be harmful to the environment, especially when it ends up in oceans.
- Polycarbonate (PC): This group includes plastics that are used to build strong, tough products. Polycarbonates are commonly used for eye protection, such as lenses for sunglasses and safety goggles, as well as mobile phones and compact discs (CDs).
It is important to note that these categories are not set in stone, and there may be some variation in the specific types of plastic resins depending on the source or specific application. Additionally, while some plastic resins are recyclable, others are not, and it is essential to properly dispose of plastic waste to reduce their environmental impact.
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Plastic recycling processes
Plastic recycling is an essential process that helps reduce pollution, minimise landfill waste, and protect the environment, ecosystems, and human life. While the overall amount of recycled plastics is relatively small, the recycling rates for specific plastic containers are more significant. For instance, the recycling rate for PET bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018, while HDPE natural bottles had a rate of 29.3%.
There are seven different types of plastic, each with unique properties and uses. These include Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene, Polycarbonate, and various other plastics that don't fall into the first six categories. The diversity of plastic types poses challenges in the recycling process, as most recycling machines can only handle one type of plastic.
The plastic recycling process can be summarised in six steps:
- Collection: The first step involves collecting used plastic materials from homes, schools, institutions, and public places. It is essential to separate common waste from plastic waste before depositing them into recycling containers.
- Sorting: The collected plastics are then sorted based on their type, colour, thickness, and usage. Sorting can be done manually or by machines at recycling plants.
- Washing: Impurities, such as dirt, adhesives, food residue, and other organic residues, are removed through various washing methods. Friction washers are commonly used as they are cost-effective and require less labour.
- Shredding: The sorted and washed plastics are broken down into smaller pieces. This step helps remove additional impurities like metals and prepares the plastic for reuse or sale as a raw material.
- Melting: The plastics are then crushed and melted to form pallets called nurdles.
- Re-shaping: Finally, the nurdles are transformed into new shapes to create different products.
It is important to note that different classes of plastics might require specific plants or processes for the final steps. Additionally, recycling labels on plastic packaging are meant to guide consumers in sorting and recycling their waste correctly, but these symbols can sometimes be confusing.
There are two main types of recycling processes: mechanical recycling and chemical recycling. Mechanical recycling is the most common method, where plastic wastes are mechanically transformed into new materials without altering their chemical structures. This process includes steps such as grinding, washing, separating, drying, re-granulating, and compounding. Chemical recycling, on the other hand, is a newer technology that aims to restore plastic materials to their raw, high-quality state. Pyrolysis, gasification, and depolymerisation are examples of chemical recycling processes.
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Plastic waste categories
Plastic waste can be broadly categorized into industrial scrap and consumer waste. Scrap is generated during the production of plastic and usually includes flashings, trimmings, sprues, and rejects. It is collected at the point of manufacture, so it is clean and of a known type and grade, making it valuable.
There are thousands of different types of plastic, but they are typically grouped into seven categories, each with distinct chemical and physical properties. These categories were created in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry, which introduced the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system to "provide a consistent national system to facilitate recycling of post-consumer plastics."
The seven categories of plastic are:
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): PET is commonly used for beverage bottles and has one of the highest recycling rates.
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): HDPE is used for milk and water bottles and has a high recycling rate. It is characterized by high-density molecules, giving it a thicker and more rigid design.
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): PVC is the third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer. It comes in rigid and flexible forms and is used in construction and industrial production. PVC is challenging to recycle due to the release of harmful toxins.
- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): LDPE is characterized by low-density molecules, resulting in a thinner and more flexible design. It is commonly used for bags, containers, and food packaging film.
- Polypropylene (PP): PP is known for its resistance to fatigue and is used for living hinges, allowing parts to fold or bend.
- Polystyrene: Polystyrene can be solid or foamed and is very inexpensive, making it widely used for beverage cups, insulation, packing materials, egg cartons, and disposable dinnerware. It is highly flammable and not considered biodegradable, making it harmful to the environment.
- Other: Any plastic that does not fall into the first six categories is included in this group. Well-known plastics in this category include polycarbonates (PC), which are used for eye protection, lenses, mobile phones, and compact discs (CDs). Polycarbonate is fully recyclable and has gained popularity with manufacturers worldwide due to its strength, rigidity, and transparency.
Recycling rates vary among these plastic types, with PET and HDPE having the highest rates, while polystyrene and polyurethane are rarely recycled. The recycling process typically involves several stages, including categorization, washing and cleaning, shredding, quality testing, and reprocessing.
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Plastic recycling companies
Plastic recycling is crucial for our future. There are seven categories of plastic, each with its own properties, uses, and environmental impact. The Society of the Plastics Industry introduced the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system in 1988 to facilitate the recycling of post-consumer plastics.
One such recycling company is TerraCycle, a global leader in recycling hard-to-recycle materials. They offer free and paid recycling programs for almost every form of waste, including beach plastic and festival waste. TerraCycle works with brands to create custom supply chains, integrating recycled materials into primary packaging and leveraging the story of recycled content to generate sales and positive media placements.
Other companies, like Scrap Management in Salt Lake City, buy plastic waste for recycling, primarily dealing with large quantities from companies or individuals with accumulated plastic scrap. These plastic recycling plants process plastic waste into new materials, contributing to a circular economy.
By recycling plastics, these companies help reduce the need for new raw materials, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize the negative environmental impact of plastic waste. They play a crucial role in protecting our planet and ensuring a sustainable future.
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