
EVA, or ethylene-vinyl acetate, is a popular alternative to polyvinyl chloride due to its absence of chlorine. It is a soft and flexible plastic with a range of applications, from children's toys to medical devices. Given its widespread use, it is important to consider the recyclability of EVA. While it is challenging for many plastics to biodegrade, EVA can be recycled and reused in various ways, such as through shredding and remoulding.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Recyclability | Recyclable, but the global recycling rate is generally very low |
Recycling process | Crushing EVA foam into beads and powder, then reusing in shoemaking |
Recycling companies | INTCO Recycling, Power Plastic Recycling, Bow Universe |
Common uses | Hot-melt adhesives, craft-foam sheets, coatings for paints, biomedical engineering applications, speaker cone membrane support rings, mouthguards, waterproofing fabrics and leather, nicotine transdermal patches, plastic model kit parts, artificial flowers, cosplay costumes |
Advantages | More resistant to heat, cold, and UV radiation than similar plastics, does not contain chlorine, has not been found to be carcinogenic, does not biodegrade within the body |
What You'll Learn
EVA plastic recycling services
EVA, or ethylene-vinyl acetate, is a type of synthetic material with various advantages such as good flexibility, shock-proofing, non-slip, anti-stress, and high-strength qualities. It is used in many common products, including slippers, shoes, packaging, and medical equipment.
At present, the global recycling rate for EVA is very low, and there are few companies that recycle it. However, some companies do offer EVA plastic recycling services and are buyers of scrap EVA plastic. These companies use advanced automation technology and efficient workforces to process recycled EVA plastic into new products, protecting the ecosystem and keeping their environmental impact to a minimum.
One such company is Power Plastic Recycling, a pioneer trademark for producing and supplying injection-modeled parts, recyclable plastic, and custom plastic extrusions. They are capable of dealing with EVA plastic recycling and have the proficiencies to process recycled EVA plastic into new products.
Another company, INTCO Recycling, offers foam recycling machines to dispose of EVA materials and provides custom solutions according to different materials.
Econa is another recycled plastics manufacturer that produces high-quality recycled EVA granules to meet the rising demand for sustainable materials in the global market. They offer a wide range of color options for their recycled EVA pellets to complement the color of the final product. With 15 years of experience in processing recycled EVA granules, they can create professionally customized granules to address various product needs. The elastic and soft texture, as well as the high chemical resistance of their recycled EVA granules, make them suitable for shoe manufacturing and building material applications.
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EVA plastic recycling machines
EVA, or ethylene-vinyl acetate, is a thermoplastic material that can be recycled and converted into new products. The process of recycling EVA involves grinding, shredding, melting, and reshaping the material into pellets or other forms that can be used in manufacturing.
Several companies offer EVA plastic recycling services and specialize in recycling EVA foam. These companies use advanced automation technology and efficient workforce capabilities to process recycled EVA. They cater to various industries, including footwear, packaging, automotive, construction, and consumer goods.
For instance, INTCO Recycling provides foam recycling machines and custom solutions for EVA material disposal. They offer shredding, grinding, and pelletizing equipment to break down EVA into smaller pieces and uniform pellets for manufacturing.
Another company, Power Plastic Recycling, is a pioneer in producing and supplying injection-molded parts, recyclable plastic, and custom plastic extrusions. They buy scrap EVA plastic and recycle it using advanced automation technology. They serve various industries and are committed to minimizing their environmental impact.
The recycling process for EVA typically involves the following steps:
- Collection and Sorting: Used EVA materials are collected from various sources, including manufacturing scrap and end-of-life products.
- Shredding: Specialized shredding equipment breaks down EVA into smaller pieces, which is a critical step for subsequent processing.
- Grinding: Grinding equipment refines the shredded EVA into fine particles, facilitating the production of uniform pellets.
- Melting and Molding: The recycled EVA pellets are melted and can be extruded or molded into desired shapes or products.
- Pelletizing: Pelletizing machines convert ground EVA into uniform pellets, optimizing material handling and consistency in manufacturing.
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EVA plastic waste reconstituted into reusable sheets
EVA, or ethylene-vinyl acetate, is a type of plastic that has become a popular alternative to polyvinyl chloride due to its lack of chlorine. It is used in a variety of applications, including hot-melt adhesives, soccer cleats, and plastic wraps. EVA is also commonly used in the cosplay community for its ease of use, durability, and comfort.
While EVA has many desirable properties, it is difficult to biodegrade, leading to concerns about its environmental impact. The global EVA recycling rate is currently very low, and there are few companies dedicated to recycling EVA foam. However, some companies, such as Power Plastic Recycling and INTCO Recycling, are working to address this issue by offering EVA plastic recycling services and machines.
One industrial process, known as bow-r25, focuses specifically on recycling EVA plastic waste. This process reconstitutes EVA waste into reusable, soft, and flexible plastic sheets that can be used for accessories or packaging. The process utilizes a mix of post-industrial and post-consumer waste, depending on availability. The resulting sheets can be finished with either a gloss or frosted look, showcasing the versatility of this recycled material.
The absence of toxic additions like BPA, chlorine, or phthalate plasticizers in EVA makes it a preferred choice for certain applications. For instance, EVA is often used in baby and child accessories, oral accessories, and medical devices such as implants and IV tubes. By recycling EVA plastic waste into reusable sheets, we can not only reduce our environmental impact but also continue to benefit from the unique properties of this versatile material.
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EVA plastic recycling companies are few
EVA, or ethylene-vinyl acetate, is a type of plastic with a range of useful properties. It is soft and flexible, like rubber, but more resistant to heat, cold, and UV radiation than similar plastics. It is also tough, durable, and has good stress-crack resistance. EVA is used in a wide range of applications, including hot-melt adhesives, coatings for paints, mouthguards, artificial flowers, and speaker cones.
Despite its versatility and widespread use, EVA plastic poses some challenges when it comes to recycling. The global EVA recycling rate is currently very low, and there are only a few companies that specialize in EVA plastic recycling. This scarcity of dedicated recycling companies is a concern, as it can lead to EVA foam becoming a form of white pollution, causing environmental damage.
One company that offers EVA plastic recycling services is Power Plastic Recycling. They are buyers of scrap EVA plastic and specialize in recycling it using advanced automation technology and a skilled workforce. They process recycled EVA into products, aiming to minimize their environmental impact.
Another company, INTCO Recycling, provides foam recycling machines to dispose of EVA materials. They offer custom solutions tailored to specific requirements, demonstrating their expertise in the field.
There are also companies, like Bow Universe, that use recycled EVA in their products. Bow Universe employs an industrial process called bow-r25 to transform EVA plastic waste into reusable, soft, and flexible sheets for accessories or packaging. This process contributes to a sustainable economy by giving new life to EVA waste.
While the number of EVA plastic recycling companies is limited, the demand for recycled EVA materials is expected to grow. With emerging economies driving much of this demand, it is crucial to increase the recycling rate of EVA and encourage more companies to specialize in this area, ensuring that this versatile plastic is managed sustainably.
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EVA plastic is not known to be carcinogenic
EVA, or ethylene vinyl acetate, is a plastic made by combining ethylene and vinyl acetate. It is soft, elastic, and extremely tough. EVA is considered a safe alternative to PVC as it does not require plasticizers like phthalates and is BPA-free. EVA can be made into EVA foam with the use of a plasticizer.
EVA foam, on the other hand, has been found to contain formamide, which is considered carcinogenic and a developmental toxin. Formamide is used to make the foam soft, and it can be absorbed through the skin or by breathing it. As a result, Belgium and France banned children's EVA foam mats in 2011. However, these bans do not seem to have extended to other EVA foam products, and EVA foam mats and toys in Australia, for example, were deemed safe for children by the ACCC and state and territory consumer product safety agencies.
Despite the concerns over formamide in EVA foam, as of 2014, EVA itself has not been found to be carcinogenic by organizations such as the NTP, ACGIH, IARC, and OSHA. It is also worth noting that EVA is used in biomedical engineering applications as a drug-delivery device, and it does not biodegrade within the body. This suggests that EVA is not known to be harmful to human health when used in certain applications.
While EVA plastic may not be carcinogenic, it is important to note that it is not always biodegradable. The global recycling rate for EVA is generally very low, and there are only a few companies that specialize in EVA foam recycling. This means that EVA products can contribute to environmental pollution if not properly disposed of or recycled.
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Frequently asked questions
EVA stands for Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, a plastic with the soft and flexible qualities of rubber. EVA is used in a variety of applications, including hot-melt adhesives, craft-foam sheets, coatings formulation of good-quality interior water-borne paints, and more.
Yes, EVA plastic can be recycled. There are companies that offer EVA plastic recycling services and machines that can process EVA plastic waste into reusable soft, flexible plastic sheets. However, the global EVA recycling rate is currently very low, and there are only a few companies that specialise in EVA foam recycling.
EVA plastic can be recycled through processes such as shredding, crushing, and remoulding. It can then be reused in various applications, including shoemaking, packaging, and eco-friendly eyewear.