Best Places To Sell Plastics For Recycling

where to sell plastics for recycling

There are several companies that buy and sell plastic for recycling, including Vanden Recycling, Scrap Management Inc, and Berry Global. These companies collect various forms of plastic waste, such as beverage bottles, plastic packaging, and industrial scrap, and process them into recycled plastic that can be sold to manufacturers. Online marketplaces like Cirplus also exist to connect recycling companies with manufacturers and distributors, with over 2,500 companies buying and selling recycled plastic on their platform.

Characteristics Values
Companies Vanden Recycling, Berry Global, Scrap Management Inc, Scrapo, Association of Plastic Recyclers
Location Vanden Recycling and Berry Global have a global presence; Scrap Management Inc operates in the US
Plastic types PET, LDPE, HDPE, PVC, PP, PS, ABS, Nylon, PC, MDPE, rPET, PE/PA, PA, TPE, TPO, PMMA, PC/ABS, plastic pellets, regrind plastic, beverage bottles, plastic food containers, plastic chairs and tables, boxes, plastic toys, plastic buckets, plastic bags, etc.
Plastic sources Post-industrial and post-production waste, plastic scrap and waste, moulding scrap, etc.
Process Vanden Recycling has strict processes to ensure quality and ethical practices; Scrap Management Inc also claims to process material ethically and safely
Concerns The oil and gas industry has been found to tout recycling to sell more plastic, even when they knew it wouldn't work on a large scale

shunpoly

Companies that buy plastic for recycling

If you are looking to sell plastic for recycling, there are several companies that buy plastic scrap and waste for this purpose.

One such company is 7Custom Polymers, a global company headquartered in the US that reprocesses and recycles post-industrial and post-consumer plastic waste. They buy and sell recycled plastics, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, polystyrene, and polycarbonate. The company offers these plastics in various forms and operates in over 50 countries worldwide.

Scrap Management Inc. is another company that buys plastic scrap for recycling in most US states. They accept a wide range of plastic items, including beverage bottles, plastic food containers, packaging for cosmetics and household products, milk jugs, shampoo and conditioner bottles, plastic bags, plastic drums, plastic piping, plastic buckets, crates, and more. They also purchase flexible packaging, toys, caps, and general packaging.

PlastiCycle is a company that buys all types and forms of industrial and commercial plastic scrap. They recycle nationwide and cover all shipping costs, with a minimum requirement of 10,000 pounds of plastic scrap.

Additionally, SUEZ SA, headquartered in France, is a company specializing in water treatment and waste management. They have a strong focus on plastic recycling, with facilities worldwide that process large quantities of plastic waste into high-quality, post-consumer recycled plastics.

These companies provide opportunities for individuals and businesses to sell their plastic waste and contribute to the circular economy by giving new life to recycled plastics.

shunpoly

Preparing plastic for recycling

Collection

The first step is to collect the plastic for recycling. This can be done by individuals at home, businesses, schools, or local recycling centres. It is important to separate different types of plastic if required by your local program and to only recycle the types of plastic that are accepted. Some common items that can be recycled include plastic bottles and containers. It is also important to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by purchasing products with less packaging and using reusable bags and containers.

Sorting

Once collected, the plastic is taken to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) or a Plastic Recovery Facility (PRF) for sorting. These facilities use various techniques such as manual picking, optical sorting machines, and sink-float separators to separate plastic by type, thickness, colour, size, and density. It is important to remove any contaminants, such as food waste, adhesives, or metals, through this process.

Reprocessing

After sorting, the plastic is reprocessed and may be washed, ground into flakes, heated, melted, and extruded into new pellets or flakes. These pellets are then sold to be used in new products.

Selling

The recycled plastic pellets are sold to manufacturers and suppliers who use them to create new products, helping to build a circular economy. There are companies like Vanden Recycling and Berry Global that buy and sell recycled plastic, ensuring that the material re-enters the supply chain.

General Tips

  • Rinse out food or drink containers before recycling them.
  • Do not recycle plastic bags, food waste, electronics, or heavily soiled/contaminated plastic.
  • Check your local recycling guidelines and follow them carefully.

shunpoly

Plastic recycling marketplaces

Cirplus

Cirplus is building a "B2B-Amazon" for recycled plastics and plastic waste, aiming to bridge the gap between the fragmented and intransparent markets of recycling and plastic conversion. It is addressing key challenges in the plastic recycling industry, such as the high price of recycled plastics compared to virgin plastic and the lack of available quality recycled material. Cirplus is working to lower the transaction cost for recycled plastic and create a managed marketplace that ensures better sourcing and selling of recycled plastic and plastic waste feedstock.

Scrapo

Scrapo is an online marketplace and mobile app that enables the trading of recycled and recyclable plastic materials globally. It connects sellers and buyers from over 140 countries, facilitating the exchange of a wide range of plastic scrap, including PET, LDPE, HDPE, PVC, PP, PS, ABS, Nylon, and PC. Scrapo acts as an intermediary, ensuring trust among trading parties by verifying quality and logistics and facilitating secure payments. Their 'Fulfilled By Scrapo' service assists sellers with onboarding, sales, and logistics, encouraging the responsible disposal of surplus materials.

RecycleBlu

RecycleBlu is an online plastics brokerage that helps suppliers sell their plastic materials, including scrap, regrinds, flakes, and granules. They advise on price setting, legislation, and market requirements, aiming to get the best possible prices for their suppliers. RecycleBlu integrates with suppliers' online shops, providing a platform for buyers, suppliers, partners, and investors to connect and build long-term relationships. They prioritize trust and integrity in their transactions and vet all their suppliers.

Vanden Recycling

Vanden Recycling is a leading business in buying scrap plastic and selling plastic for recycling. They operate globally, working with manufacturers and suppliers to recover and sell recycled plastic, promoting a circular economy. Vanden Recycling's UK plastic recycling facility uses state-of-the-art technology and dedicated lines for specific polymers. They follow strict processes to ensure the quality and ethical handling of the materials, providing full traceability and peace of mind to their customers.

Berry Global

Berry Global accepts plastic scrap and waste, as well as sorted, rigid polypropylene bales and mixed plastic bales. They leverage their proprietary processes to create circular solutions for plastics, optimizing the environmental benefits of the materials. With an extensive network of waste collection partners, Berry Global can provide local support and trusted partnerships to businesses looking to sell their plastic scrap.

shunpoly

Plastic recycling factories

One such example is Vanden Recycling, a leading business in buying scrap plastic and selling plastic for recycling. With a global presence, Vanden operates across the world, including a dedicated UK plastic recycling facility. They collect over 100 grades of plastic, ensuring strict processes and full visibility and traceability of the materials' journey. Their state-of-the-art technology and specific polymer lines enable them to produce quality recycled plastic that is clean and free from contaminants.

Another notable company is Berry Global, which accepts plastic scrap and sorted rigid polypropylene bales. They leverage proprietary processes to design circular solutions, reprocessing plastic into environmentally beneficial products. With an extensive network of waste collection partners, Berry Global can provide local trusted partners for a reliable recycling experience.

In the United States, there are over 244 plastic recycling plants listed in the ENF Recycling Directory. One such plant is the Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls, Inc., which has been processing mixed-plastic and manufacturing products from commingled plastic material since 1986. Their product line boasts a minimum of 96% recycled plastic by weight, incorporating additives for colour, UV stability, and other desirable properties. Their products, such as memorial benches and recycled plastic picnic tables, are known for their durability, low maintenance, and environmental benefits.

Additionally, the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) plays a pivotal role in the plastic recycling industry. APR provides design guidance, recognition, recycled content certification, policy education, advocacy, and more. Their expertise ensures technical standards for recyclability and helps companies meet sustainable packaging goals. The APR Design® for Recyclability Training Program empowers companies to create innovative, impactful solutions, contributing to a more circular economy.

PLA Plastic: Recycled and Reused

You may want to see also

shunpoly

Plastic recycling near you

If you're looking to recycle your plastic waste, there are a number of options available to you, depending on your location and the type of plastic you have.

Firstly, it's important to determine what kind of plastic you have, as different types of plastic have different recycling processes and requirements. Some common types of plastic that can be recycled include PET, LDPE, HDPE, PVC, PP, and PS. You can usually find a number or symbol on the product that indicates the type of plastic it is made of.

Once you know the type of plastic you have, you can start looking for local recycling options. There are several companies and organizations that specialize in plastic recycling and operate in various locations. For example, Vanden Recycling is a global company that buys and sells scrap plastic, with a dedicated UK plastic recycling facility. They work with manufacturers and suppliers to recover and sell recycled plastic, and they prioritize ethical and accountable practices.

Scrap Management Inc. is another company that buys plastic scrap for recycling in most US states. They accept a wide range of plastic items, including beverage bottles, food containers, plastic chairs and tables, toys, and more. They also emphasize the ethical and safe processing of the materials.

Additionally, Berry Global is a company that accepts plastic scrap and sorted rigid polypropylene bales. They have an extensive network of waste collection partners and can provide trusted local options for recycling.

You can also explore online marketplaces such as Scrapo, which connects suppliers and buyers of recycled plastics and plastic scraps from 140 countries. This can be a convenient way to find buyers or recyclers near you.

It is worth noting that some reports have questioned the effectiveness of plastic recycling, suggesting that the oil and gas industry has used the promise of recycling to sell more plastic, even when they knew it might not work on a large scale. However, despite these concerns, recycling your plastic waste is still an important step in reducing environmental impact and promoting a circular economy.

Frequently asked questions

There are several companies that buy plastic for recycling, including:

- Vanden Recycling

- Scrap Management Inc.

- Cirplus

- Berry Global

The types of plastic that can be sold vary depending on the company and their capabilities. Some companies, like Vanden Recycling, collect over 100 grades of plastic, while others may be more limited in the types of plastic they can process. It's best to check with the specific company you're interested in selling to.

Plastic waste needs to be prepared, cleaned, and packaged before it can be sold. Some companies, like Berry Global, may provide guidance on how to properly segregate, store, and handle plastic waste to ensure it is ready for recycling.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment