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Plastics Recycling Information
Large-scale municipally sponsored recycling programs are a relatively recent phenomenon having grown rapidly over the last decade. As these recycling programs have evolved, the most prevalent plastic packages in the waste stream HDPE (high-density polyethylene) have been utilized in a large part to manufacture plastic lumber.
As with all other recyclables, the infrastructure for recycling plastics consists of the following major components:
Collection:
Before plastics can be recycled, they must be collected or recovered from the waste stream. The two common forms of collection are:
(1) curbside collection - where consumers place designated plastics in a special container at the curb outside their homes for pick-up by a public or private hauler;
(2) drop-off centers - where consumers bring their plastics to a centrally located collection points.
Handling:
 After plastics are collected, they are delivered to a handler for sorting (if necessary) and densification.
Sorting: Most collection programs today are multi-material, commingled programs. This means that plastics are collected with other recyclable packaging such as steel, glass and aluminum. In these programs, plastics will need to be separated - or sorted - from the other materials before they can be sent to market.
Reclamation:
Reclamation is the step where sorted and densified plastics are converted into flakes or pellets, which can then be used to manufacture new products. (Pellets and flakes are the two forms in which plastic feedstocks are commonly sold.) Flakes are made by feeding plastic articles (e.g., bottles) into a granulator where they are chopped into small uniform-sized chips of material.
Washing The vast majority of reclaimers, however, will wash and dry incoming plastics in flake form and then convert them into pellets. Pellets are made by melting plastic and extruding it into thin strands (that look like spaghetti) that are then chopped into small, uniform pieces. The process selected by a reclaimer will depend on the products being manufactured since some products are made from pellets and others can be made from flakes.
End-Use:
Once the plastic is in flake or pellet form, it can then be sold to manufactures to be made into plastic lumber. Recycled plastic lumber has been in manufactured since the early 1980s. Plastic lumber is most commonly manufactured from post-consumer high density polyethylene (HDPE), but linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) are also used. These plastic feed stocks are derived by reclaimer. For example, some reclaimers that are confident with the cleanliness and quality of the material coming into their facility may simply grind the plastic into flakes for sale to end-users, or use it to make plastic lumber. When the recycled plastic requires further processing, then it is cleaned, shredded, and ground using plastic shredders and Granulators. The material is then run through a plastic extruder and mixed with foaming agents, UV stabilizers, and color pigments.
Recyclable Plastic
Plastic stamped #1 or #2on the bottom. Some areas only accept clear plastic or certain shapes. Even a small amount of the wrong type of plastic can ruin a melt. Much plastic collected for recycling is actually landfilled.
Plastic bags marked #2 or #4 Many grocery stores take bags.
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If you have further questions please address them to pvan123@aol.com. Questions concerning
equipment for plastic recycling equipment or plastic lumber will be answered as soon as possible.
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