Sofia Martinez
Plastic runners are the frames of plastic models, and they are often thrown away after use. However, they can be recycled and reused to create new plastic products. Many people are unsure of how to recycle plastic runners properly, and they often end up in landfills. To recycle plastic runners, one can dissolve them in acetone, turning them into putty, or find a recycling plant that accepts the specific type of plastic. Some companies, like Bandai Spirits, are also working towards creating plastic models made entirely of recycled materials and implementing projects to recycle plastic runners into new products through chemical recycling.
How to recycle plastic runners
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic type | Polystyrene, ABS, and Polyethylene |
| Recycling methods | Chemical recycling, dissolving in acetone |
| Issues | Mixed plastics, lack of clear labeling for recycling |
| Alternatives | Reuse for painting, storing in boxes, donating parts |
| Goals | Use recycled materials for plastic models, improve recycling programs |
What You'll Learn
Plastic runner reuse ideas
Plastic runners are not always recyclable, and often end up in landfills. However, there are several ways to reuse them. Here are some ideas for reusing plastic runners:
Arts and Crafts
Plastic runners can be cut and used for various arts and crafts projects. For example, you can cut them into small pieces and use them as painting holders or stirrers, especially for acrylic paints. You can also cut out the numbers and glue them onto other projects, or use them to create weapons for Gundam models.
Storage and Organisation
Plastic runners can be used for storage and organisation. For example, you can cut them into small pieces and use them to separate and organise items in a toolbox or craft supply drawer.
Home Improvement
Plastic runners can be reused in various home improvement projects. For example, they can be cut and used to create homemade plates or stretched to test paints.
Donate or Sell
If you have no use for your plastic runners, consider donating or selling them to someone who can use them for their projects. For example, you can donate them to a local school or community centre for arts and crafts activities. Alternatively, you can try selling them online to those who are specifically looking for plastic runners for their projects.
Recycling
Although it may be difficult to recycle plastic runners, it is not impossible. You can call your local recycling plant to see if they accept the specific plastic type. Alternatively, you can try to dissolve the plastic runners in acetone, turning them into putty. However, this putty will have a short shelf life.
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Chemical recycling
Plastic runners, such as those from Gundam plastic models, are often not recyclable and end up in landfills. However, some companies like Bandai Spirits are aiming to use recycled materials for their plastic models through chemical recycling.
One example of chemical recycling is pyrolysis, which involves heating plastic waste in the absence of oxygen to break it down into smaller molecules. Another example is fluid catalytic cracking, which uses a catalyst and heat to convert plastic waste into useful products. These processes can be used to recycle plastic runners and other types of solid plastic waste, such as post-industrial waste from injection moulding and packaging waste.
To chemically recycle plastic runners, one could potentially dissolve them in acetone, turning them into putty. However, this putty has a short shelf life. Alternatively, one could send the plastic runners to a company like Bandai Spirits, which is collecting the runners from its Gundam series and using chemical recycling to turn them into new plastic model products.
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Plastic type and recycling
Plastic runners, such as those used for carpets, or in the context of Gunpla model kits, are not always recyclable. The type of plastic is an important factor in determining whether it can be recycled. Mixed plastics, for example, are more difficult to recycle and are often sent to landfills.
It is worth contacting your local recycling plant to see if they accept the specific type of plastic your runners are made of. However, be aware that even if they do, there is a possibility that your recycling plant may still ship the waste to a landfill elsewhere.
Some people have suggested dissolving plastic runners in acetone, which turns them into putty, but this putty has a short shelf life. Another option is to reuse parts of the plastic runners for other purposes, such as converting them into painting holders.
In Japan, there are Ecopla recycling locations that accept plastic runners, and some people have considered transporting their plastic runners there for proper recycling.
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Plastic extruder
Plastic extrusion is a process that can be used to recycle plastic waste. It involves using a plastic extruder to melt plastic into a mould to create a plastic part. The process starts by feeding plastic material, such as pellets, granules, flakes, or powders, into the hopper of the extruder. The hopper stores the powdered, pelleted, or granulated material for the plastic extrusion process. The hopper is connected to the barrel of the extruder by the feed throat, which transfers the plastic from the hopper to the barrel.
The barrel of the extruder is where the plastic is heated and softened, bringing it close to its melting point. It houses a rotating screw, which applies pressure to force the molten plastic material down the feed pipe. The screw rotates at a controlled speed, typically up to 120 rpm, pushing the plastic beads forward in the barrel. The barrel is heated to the required melt temperature, which ranges from 200-275°C, depending on the type of polymer being extruded.
After passing through the breaker plate, which helps maintain pressure and serves as a filter, the molten plastic enters the die. The die gives the final product its shape, and the molten plastic must flow evenly through it to prevent warping upon cooling. A wide variety of shapes can be created, but they are restricted to continuous profiles. The product is then cooled, usually by pulling the extrudate through a water bath, and solidifies, taking on the shape of the die.
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Plastic runner recycling locations
Plastic runners, the frame of a plastic model, are not typically recyclable. This is due to the type of plastic used, which is often polystyrene, a difficult material to recycle. As a result, plastic runners frequently end up in landfills.
However, some companies are taking steps to address this issue. For example, the ECOPLA PROJECT by BANDAI SPIRITS aims to use recycled materials for all their plastic models. They collect the runners of GUNPLA (Gundam Plastic Models) and chemically recycle them into new plastic model products. These products will feature the "ECOPLA Mark" to indicate the use of recycled materials.
If you wish to recycle your plastic runners, you can start by identifying the type of plastic they are made of. Contact your local recycling plant to inquire if they accept that specific type of plastic. Be aware that some recycling plants may simply ship the waste to a landfill elsewhere, so further investigation is recommended.
Additionally, some creative individuals have found ways to repurpose plastic runners. For instance, they can be used as skeletons or filler when creating custom parts or sculptures. Others have suggested melting them down to create a cheap filler "putty," though this process should be done in a well-ventilated area due to the strong fumes produced.
Lastly, if you are unable to recycle or repurpose your plastic runners locally, you may consider transporting them to a location with suitable recycling facilities. For example, one individual mentioned taking their plastic runners to Japan, where Ecopla recycling locations exist.
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Frequently asked questions
One way to recycle plastic runners is to dissolve them in acetone, which turns them into putty. Another way is to cut them into smaller pieces and use them as painting holders or stirrers. Some people also choose to reuse plastic runners by cutting them into sticks and using them for paint testing.
Most plastic runners are not labeled for American recycling, and polystyrene, ABS, and polyethylene are not recycled compatibly. However, some people put them out with their plastic recycling and have not received any complaints. It is important to check with your local recycling plant to see if they accept this type of plastic.
The ECOPLA PROJECT is an initiative by BANDAI SPIRITS that aims to use recycled materials for all plastic models. The project collects the runners (the frame of the plastic model) of GUNPLA, the plastic model of the Gundam series, and recycles them into new plastic model products through chemical recycling.
If you are unable to recycle plastic runners, you can choose to reuse or repurpose them. Some people keep the boxes and use the runners for paint testing or as a reminder of the effort put into making a kit. Others throw them away, but this contributes to landfill waste.
