Recycling plastic bags. Acceptance of plastic bags for recycling. Bonus: the simplest device for cutting plastic bottles

Plastic bags are made from the same substance that makes all plastic: petroleum.

Petroleum materials and products have two main disadvantages: Manufacturing produces significant amounts of pollution and the product is not biodegradable.

In other words, it is difficult to produce and almost impossible to get rid of once produced.

According to the Natural Environment website, it takes between 60 and 100 million barrels of oil to produce plastic bags in a year worldwide, and it will take about 400 years for them to fully decompose.

Therefore, it is better to recycle plastic bags.

The recycling symbol (three closed arrows) is found on most plastic products, but this is often a marketing gimmick.

Many bags collected by factories cannot be recycled. Most of them end up in landfills to lie there for the next hundreds of years.

There are, however, biodegradable packages, but not everything is clear on this topic either. Whether they really decompose in nature, or is this just another trick to increase sales, we figured it out.

Plastic is a durable, lightweight and cheap material. It can be easily molded into a variety of widely available products.

Production and use of plastic bags has increased over the past 10 years.

Therefore, their reuse, recovery and recycling are extremely important.

Bags made from:

• polyethylene;
• cellophane;
• other polymers.

Polyethylene

Recycling polyethylene is important because in most cases it is non-biodegradable and may accumulate in landfills for decades. At the same time, recycling polyethylene is quite easy to carry out.

Due to its composition, waste plastic can be melted to a liquid state.

As it hardens, it is reconstructed or extruded, making the material reusable.

Therefore, recycling plastic bags can lead to the creation of new, durable products that also are cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Recyclable polyethylene bags include:

• for shopping;
• from milk, kefir, etc.;
• for garbage;
• All types of thin and very soft bags are made from low-density polyethylene.

Cellophane

Typically, cellophane is not recycled, although it can be considered a recyclable material from a scientific point of view.

The cellophane bag biodegrades naturally (since it is not plastic). Therefore, for disposal it is better to place it in compost.

In the production of cellophane use carbon disulfide and sulfuric acid which may cause pollution.

Therefore, it is necessary to limit packet emission and make the most of each one.

Products made from other polymers

From films used to make plastic bags, the most common four polymers:

1. High density polyethylene (HDPE).
2. Medium density polyethylene (MDPE).
3. Low density polyethylene (LDPE).
4. Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE).

The vast majority of grocery bags are made from HDPE.

Characteristics of HDPE:

• moderate opacity;
• tendency to bruises;
• high strength;
• lack of ability to stretch.

High-density polyethylene bags tear easily, but due to their strength, they are well suited for use as grocery bags, clothing, and packaging.

HDPE resins are less opaque than HDPE, but not as transparent as low-density polyethylene.

Bags made from PESP do not stretch and do not have high strength.

PESP is used in consumer packaging for paper products such as paper towels and toilet paper, etc.

LDPE is used for the manufacture of bags with moderate tensile and strength properties and a high degree of transparency.

LLDPE is slightly thinner than LDPE and has an elastic consistency.

This material usually appears sticky and is used as a stretch film.

All these raw materials are processed at waste recycling factories. More durable plastic cannot be recycled because the material clogs sorting equipment at processing facilities, which leads to its breakdown or shutdown.

Processing technology and equipment

The simplest process for recycling plastic bags includes the processes:

• collection;
• sorting;
• grinding;
• washing;
• swimming trunks;
• granulation.

Production processes vary depending on composition or type plastic.

Most processing plants operate in two stages:

1. Automatic or manual plastic sorting to eliminate all contaminants from the plastic waste stream.
2. Melting plastic directly into a new shape or grinding into flakes, then melting before final processing into pellets.

For recycling plastic bags the following equipment is involved:

• sorting plant;
• plastic injection molding machines;
• extrusion machines
• installations for blow and vacuum molding;
• molding and thermoforming equipment;
• other equipment depending on the level of production.

Recycling bags at home

Besides the fact that plastic bags reusable and reusable in the kitchen, at home and in the garden, they can also be recycled at home. The result will be the necessary durable sheets of plastic for crafts and further use.

To do this, you need accumulated plastic bags (at least 100 pieces), regular baking parchment, an iron and scissors, and an oven.

The bags must be pre-washed and dried. It is better to use HDPE bags, and colors and designs don't matter.

Having cut off the handles, the bottom and the side, we fold the resulting rectangles in layers. A layer should consist of no more than 5 packets.

Place a large sheet of parchment on a heat-resistant surface (plywood, OSB), fold the first 5 bags on top and lay another sheet of parchment.

Iron iron sheets at medium temperature, starting from the middle to the edges. If the sheets are poorly fused, then increase the temperature, if holes appear, reduce it.

Having chosen the desired temperature, iron the remaining stacks of sheets.

Next comes the soldering of the five-layer sheets to each other. We also iron the first two five-layer sheets, but at a higher temperature. We apply the next five-layer solder onto the result and iron it again.

Sheets must be added to the thickness you need, applying them to different sides of the welded stack (i.e. it is better to turn them over).

The sheets turn out to be quite dense, so there is already a five-layer soldering can be used anywhere you want.

But for higher quality sheets you need them bake in the oven:

1. Place on a baking sheet parchment.
2. Place a multi-layer briquette on parchment.
3. Cover with a sheet of parchment.
4. Place a baking sheet on top as well.
5. Place on the top baking sheet a couple of bricks for weight.
6. Place this in the oven for 30 minutes at 200°C.
7. We take it out and wait until it cools down without removing the bricks.
8. When it cools down, check the edges of the polyethylene. They must be homogeneous. If not, place in the oven at a higher temperature of up to 230 ° C.
9. The resulting briquettes trim the edges.
10. We use recycled polyethylene.

Video on the topic

We invite you to watch a video about recycling plastic bags:

Conclusion

The goal of recycling plastic bags is to reduce plastic pollution while reducing the cost of purchasing starting materials for the production of new plastic products.

This approach helps save energy and frees the environment from pollution from plastic bags, and reusing polyethylene at home will save the cost of purchasing some items and materials.

In contact with

Removal, processing and disposal of waste from hazard classes 1 to 5

We work with all regions of Russia. Valid license. A complete set of closing documents. Individual approach to the client and flexible pricing policy.

Using this form, you can submit a request for services, request a commercial offer, or receive a free consultation from our specialists.

Send

Why is it dangerous to neglect packaging and how important is polyethylene recycling for the environment? In our life, polyethylene is present as packaging containers, but despite its narrow specialization, it is widespread everywhere. Almost every home has a bag of bags that we collect out of principles of saving. But the trouble is, it turns out that the better the raw material, the more difficult it is to dispose of it and the longer the period of its decomposition itself.

Relevance of processing

Recycling polyethylene raw materials is an important expense item for the city, since the material is characterized by incredible stability. He is not afraid of water, alkali, or salt solutions. Polyethylene is not afraid even of organic and inorganic acids. It can be noted that these are not bad qualities, but they can result in a number of problems.

First of all, the environmental situation is of concern - according to rough estimates, it takes up to 300 years for polyethylene to decompose. If a simple plastic bag ends up in a landfill in the general mass of household waste, it greatly complicates the recycling process. Over time, this bag undergoes thermal aging, gradually decomposing when exposed to sunlight, heat and oxygen. As it breaks down, the harmless bag releases harmful chemicals into the soil and water.

Alas, it is not possible to limit the production of plastics and polyethylene, but the entire work process can be rationally organized. Polyethylene waste is essentially a universal material. Without exaggeration, polyethylene recycling can be called a new life for raw materials. A person is required to create and improve methods for collecting and processing raw materials in order to make the process cyclical. Polyethylene waste may well become everyday items.

Processing plants

In recent years, the number of organizations processing this raw material has been steadily growing. Moreover, it is not only about environmental problems, but also about the prospects for the development of such a business. Polyethylene can be an excellent base for creating plastic panels, garbage containers, and all kinds of household containers. This opens up some scope for the imagination of entrepreneurs, although, naturally, recycled polyethylene products involve some restrictions.

Recycling films and bags does not cause any difficulties, since the structure of the materials used for the most part does not change, but the quality of the processed raw materials decreases, and accordingly the scope of further application is narrowed.

Workflow Features

There are several cycles for processing plastic bags and films. The first cycle has almost no effect on reducing the consumer characteristics of new products. But each subsequent cycle makes its own “negative contribution”, making the raw materials suitable only for the production of special materials.

Based on existing technologies, six stages of processing polyethylene waste can be distinguished:

1. First comes the collection of raw materials: film, bottles, and other household waste. Waste sorting can be done manually or mechanically. If household waste is separated into waste paper, glass, paper, and PET during collection, then the amount of waste that requires disposal can be reduced by a third.
2. The collected raw materials are sent to washing machines. This step is necessary in order to get rid of dirt, foreign objects and paper. If raw materials are delivered directly to collection points, then the receiver can check the condition of film, bottles, and waste paper in order to increase or decrease the price offered for them.
3. Next, the collected raw materials are crushed, for which crushing plants are used.
4. In case there is moisture or random solid impurities left in the raw materials, a processing process is carried out in a centrifuge.
5. Now the material is sent to the drying chamber, where heat treatment also takes place.
6. The work is completed and the material is ready for recycling. It can be used to make universal products: plastic film, bags, packaging containers, pipes.

Work in detail

Now let’s try to take a closer look at the process of processing polyethylene into granules, because before this the process was considered only schematically. Of course, the work requires the appropriate equipment.

Well-established work is possible if you have:

• washing machine
• crushing plant
• centrifuges
• drying plant
• agglomerator
• granulator
• extruder

In production, it would be important to have a conveyor or pneumatic conveyor, which will allow the process to be fully automated.

At home, it is almost impossible to establish an uninterrupted process for obtaining recycled polyethylene, but you can lay the foundation for a promising business. First of all, you can declare the process of collecting raw materials, since without it such work is in principle impossible. Manual sorting of household waste will be cheaper than mechanical sorting, but you will have to start with a small volume of raw materials used.

Self-processing of the film allows you to obtain a dense waterproof fabric with waterproofing function. The process itself is simple - a piece of film needs to be placed between two parts of fabric and ironed with an electric iron. The output is a three-layer composite material, since the film melts and penetrates the layers of fabric. You can create a composite material based on film, fabric and aluminum foil with your own hands. The operating algorithm is the same, except for the fact that one layer of fabric is replaced with foil. Material made from film, fabric and foil is an excellent heat insulator. Using cross-linked polyethylene, many people install heated floors in their homes.

For more benefit

Agglomerator is a device capable of processing film and bottles. Due to the effect of temperature, an agglomerate is obtained - baked lumps from former bottles and film. The agglomerate can be sold already at this stage or go further and process it into granules.

A polyethylene granulator allows you to increase enterprise income from the collection and sale of secondary raw materials. The result is a product that is technically superior to its “powdery or scaly counterparts” due to its small volume (and therefore lower costs for packaging and transportation), high flowability, minimization of losses and dust formation, and lower risk of destruction and photoaging.

Why does an enterprise need an extruder? It is with its help that you can obtain a unique material – low-density polyethylene. The extruder starts working after the agglomerator has had its say and turns the result of collection and processing into pulp. Now the molten mass of plastic goes through the molding hole, where it melts and creates threads that are cooled under water and cut into small pieces. The output is a ready-made HDPE granule.

At low pressure

Low density polyethylene is widely used throughout the world. It is an organic compound that resembles white wax. Recycled low-density polyethylene is obtained by collecting and recycling bottles and pipes.

This material is not afraid of frost or chemicals. It does not feel shocks and is not a current conductor. It should be added that this material is waterproof and does not react with alkalis, acids and salt solutions. HDPE decomposes under the influence of nitric acid (50%), chlorine and fluorine.

How this product can be useful

1. Accessories for swimming pools are made on the basis of HDPE.
2. It is used in the operation of 3D printers.
3. This material is relevant for working under conditions of chemical and electrical influence.
4. HDPE is good for creating anti-corrosion coatings, food containers, bottles and collecting water connections.
5. In sports institutions, HDPE is used to produce gymnastic hoops.
6. In restaurants, HDPE is the future plastic bag, plastic set or container. The HDPE bag rustles and wrinkles, so it is used for so-called “T-shirts”.
7. Manufacturers of pyrotechnics use HDPE to make their work more spectacular.

Bottom line

Processing polyethylene raw materials into granules makes it possible to significantly reduce the amount of waste in city landfills. Remember that polyethylene and plastic hardly decompose. Meanwhile, you can do a successful business based on PET. Don't throw away anything that may be useful in the future. Even a simple bag, bottle, film can be useful for business.

Most types of plastics do not decompose in nature or decompose extremely slowly - over hundreds and thousands of years. Therefore, by the 1970s, the world had already faced the problem of environmental pollution with plastic waste - and, accordingly, the issue of recycling such waste. It soon became clear that recycling plastic waste could be a business in itself with a fairly attractive margin level.

Today in Belarus there are about 100 organizations processing plastic waste. As a result of processing, prepared secondary raw materials are obtained (crushed, granules, flakes according to plastic brands) for the further production of new plastic products and packaging.

The following types of plastic waste are industrially processed in Belarus:

• packaging with PET, PETE, HDPE, LDPE, PE, PP symbols. These are plastic bottles for milk, oil, vinegar, beer, containers for shower gels and shampoos, other cosmetics, household chemicals;
• plastic bags and film;
• plastic basins, buckets;
• pens without rods, rulers;
• plastic woven bags, etc.

The demand for “recycled” plastic is quite high, and this has led to the fact that companies that process plastic waste are no longer satisfied with household and industrial waste, but buy unnecessary plastic - primarily plastic (PET) bottles.

According to the State Institution “Operator of Secondary Material Resources”, there are several collection points for PET bottles in each district of Minsk. You can select the nearest stationary collection point for plastic bottles by following this link. The operating hours and cost of delivering a kilogram of plastic waste are also indicated there.

Important point: You must bring at least a kilogram of plastic bottles to the collection point, otherwise they will not be accepted. If you only need to dispose of one or two bottles, then it is easier to throw them in the trash, observing certain conditions:

• used PET bottles should be disposed of in visible yellow containers intended for separate collection of recyclables;
• Plastic bottles can be disposed of in containers labeled “plastic, glass, paper,” “plastic, paper,” or “plastic, paper, metal.”

In addition to PET drink bottles, the following can be thrown into separate waste collection containers:

• bottles for vegetable oil, vinegar, dairy products;
• plastic packaging for shampoo, hairspray, shower gels and other cosmetics;
• packaging for household chemicals, various detergents;
• plastic bags, containers for food packaging;
• bread bags, milk bags, jars of yogurt, kefir;
• household items made of plastic (buckets, basins, etc.);
• plastic parts, housings of household appliances.

However, there are a number of packages that should not be thrown into plastic containers. This list includes Tetra Pak, toothpaste tubes, mayonnaise, chips, and tea packets. Such packages contain not only degradable plastic, but also metal, which must be disposed of separately. Therefore, throw away tubes and packages of chips in a common container - this garbage will be buried in a landfill.

Polyethylene granules

Polyethylene is an organic compound that is a polymer (a substance with a large molecular weight, consisting of long macromolecules) of ethylene (a flammable, colorless gas with a faint odor). Formed as a result of the polymerization process of ethylene. Occupies the largest share among plastics. Industrial production of polyethylene began in the mid-20th century. Often people try to hand over polyethylene by mistake, confusing it with polyethylene rephthalate (PET). However, these are different substances, and their disposal or recycling processes occur differently. They are also taken separately.

And polyethylene is often confused with cellophane, not realizing that these are completely different substances. Cellophane is a wood pulp processing product.

Everyone is familiar with polyethylene products. Their number is very large and is constantly growing, because this material is quite cheap, easy to use and has many applications. And if you hand over polyethylene waste for recycling, you can obtain secondary raw materials from it.

Types of polyethylene

Types of polyethylene materials There are quite a few types of polyethylene. Moreover, despite the fact that the basis for their production is the same base material (namely, polyethylene granules 2-5 mm in size), each variety has its own special qualities and they are all considered completely different substances. But the processing of polyethylene occurs in the same way, regardless of its type.

It is customary to distinguish different types of polyethylene based on its density.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

Bags made from LDPE

It is also commonly called low-density polyethylene. It is obtained by polymerizing ethylene using a tubular reactor or autoclave.

Low-density polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE pipes

It is also commonly called high-density polyethylene. It is manufactured using three technologies: gas-phase, suspension and solution.

Medium pressure polyethylene (MDP)

Packages from design documentation

PSD is obtained by mixing LDPE and HDPE in certain proportions.

Linear high-density polyethylene (LDPE)

Soft and elastic material obtained by the most complex polymerization method.

Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX)

Has a high molecular weight. PEX is obtained from HDPE by cross-linking its molecules with ionizing radiation at elevated pressure.

Foamed polyethylene (polyethylene foam, PP)

Products made from PP foamed polyethylene are produced using foaming technology with a special mixture.

Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSP)

High elasticity material. CSP is obtained by reacting polyethylene with chlorine and sulfur dioxide.

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)

Super durable material. UHFMP is produced at low pressure with a high degree of polymerization.

Application of polyethylene and its properties

The main product of LDPE is canisters of various volumes

PVD

LDPE is characterized by increased plasticity, a high level of fluidity in the melt, and low tensile strength.

LDPE is the most common packaging material. It is used to make bags and wrapping film. Products made from LDPE are glossy, do not rustle, and have a beautiful appearance.

Recycling plastic bags allows the material to be reused.

HDPE

A fairly hard product, with a density of 0.95 g/cm³ (or higher). It has good strength and slightly elongates when broken. Resistant to low temperatures (withstands frost down to -50°C). Does not allow moisture to pass through, and is resistant to fats and oils. Does not emit toxic substances, therefore safe for humans.

Canisters, waste containers, containers for solvents, etc. are mainly made from LDPE.

PSD

Has good resistance to breaks or impacts, cracking and scratches. The characteristics are similar to HDPE.

Shopping bags, sacks, shrink and regular films, screw caps, etc. are made from PSD. Since all this is common in households, the question often arises - where to donate polyethylene? For this, there are collection points or simply special containers.

LPVD

Its properties are similar to HDPE, but it has the highest physical and chemical properties. Puncture resistant and withstands both high and low temperatures.

From LLDPE it is possible to obtain a thinner film than from HDPE. Packaging films, lamination films, etc. are the main areas of application for LDPE, although it is gradually replacing LDPE. LDPE films can be used for packaging hot products.

PEX

PEX water pipes

It is characterized by high strength and heat resistance, does not spread when heated.

The scope of application of cross-linked polyethylene is pipes and various parts for water supply, heating, pipelines.

PP

Properties of this type of polyethylene: it is characterized by a smooth surface, has a finely porous structure, good elasticity and resilience. Has excellent biological and chemical resistance. Durable. Weakly absorbs moisture and conducts heat poorly. Ecologically pure. Safe for humans.

It is used primarily in construction (for thermal insulation and other needs).

HSP

The properties of CSP resemble rubber. Has the ability to vulcanize. It has high chemical and atmospheric resistance and tolerates high temperatures. It is not affected by alkalis, acids and strong hardeners.

Paints and varnishes, adhesives, and sealants are made from CSP.

SVMP

SVMP is a very durable material designed for use in extreme conditions. It has high frost resistance, is resistant to impacts, friction, corrosion, and abrasives.

The scope of application is very wide. SVMP is good wherever ultra-strong fibers are required (medical materials, sports equipment, armor protection, protective coating for any structures and elements).

Equipment for polyethylene processing

Now in Russian cities there are many places where you can hand over polyethylene quickly and easily. Many companies purchase it to send it to processing plants. You can also equip your own processing line. Such a line, when fully equipped, includes the following equipment:

• washing machine;
• crusher;
• centrifuge;
• drying installation;
• agglomerator;
• granulator;
• extruder

A pneumatic conveyor, as well as a conveyor, will help increase the efficiency of the work process - with their help, the supply of raw materials is accelerated and improved.

The key processing device is the agglomerator. It is he who, when exposed to high temperatures, forms secondary raw materials - agglomerate - from polyethylene waste. Subsequently, finished products are produced from the agglomerate.

The granulator may be part of the processing line, but in some cases you can do without it.

Polyethylene is recycled by burning it. The main disadvantage of this technique is the toxic substances released during the combustion process. It is necessary to apply increased safety measures to avoid environmental pollution.

Recycled polyethylene products

Plastic trash bags are a recycled product

Instead of recycling plastic bags and other products made from this material by burning, it is much more profitable and efficient to send them for recycling. The features of this process are:

For the first time, polyethylene products can be recycled without any restrictions. But the number of subsequent processing is limited by certain conditions, because the quality of the material begins to gradually decline. It is possible to produce any products from polyethylene recycled several times only if the requirements for these products are significantly reduced.

Various companies produce film and other materials made of polyethylene, planning to make money on it, but we must not forget that the quality of the material decreases not only due to multiple processing cycles. The deterioration of the properties of polyethylene products is also affected by exposure to direct sunlight, temperature fluctuations, as well as some other operating conditions.

It is also worth considering this feature: products made from polyethylene secondary (for example, bags) may not be too inferior in their parameters to the primary ones, but at the same time they can be purchased at a very attractive price.

Recycling of bags and other polyethylene products is carried out according to the following scheme:

• sorting;
• washing;
• splitting up;
• centrifugation;
• rinsing again;
• drying;
• heat treatment.

Polyethylene collection points (80 cities)

Video: Polyethylene processing plant

It is no longer possible to imagine the modern world without plastic products. About a third of all plastic products today are made from polyethylene. Along with the obvious benefits of its use, an urgent problem remains the search for effective ways to process and utilize this polymer.

Polyethylene (accepted abbreviations - PET, PE) is a thermoplastic polymer that is widely used to create a huge number of products. Its use began in the 20th century: from the 30s it began to be used in the production of telephone cables, and from the 50s - as packaging in the food industry.

Today the list of PET products is huge:

• packaging film, bags, garbage bags;
• scotch;
• all kinds of packaging: bottles, cans, boxes, cans, containers, flower pots, etc.;
• pipes for sewerage and gas supply;
• electrical insulation, thermal insulation;
• storage devices, containers for liquid and solid chemicals;
• various types of fencing, etc.

Depending on the technology, modern industry produces and uses polyethylene of different types and performance properties, for example:

• high pressure or low density (abbr. - LDPE, LDPE - a more plastic type of polyethylene, used for the production of film and cable);
• low pressure or high density (abbr. - HDPE, HDPE - has a more rigid and durable structure);
• polyethylene terephthalate (abbr. - PET, PET, PETE - used only for the production of disposable goods), etc.

What is polyethylene of different densities, and what types of packaging are made from it?

Process of making plastic bags

Main types of polyethylene waste and where they come from

The popularity and mass consumption of PE lead to the fact that every day a huge number of used items made from it fall into the waste category:

1. Polyethylene products for household use. This may include packaging film, bags, bottles, vials and canisters of household chemicals, waste from medicine blisters and other items used by humans in everyday life. All this is thrown out every day into regular garbage containers for MSW (solid waste). According to various estimates, the share of polyethylene in solid waste is about ten percent of the total volume.
2. PE industrial waste. This, again, is packaging film, all kinds of bags, waste plastic containers from stores (for example, food boxes), pipes, worn cable braids, etc.
3. Technological defects at enterprises producing PE products. Its volume can reach up to ten percent of all produced raw materials.

Polyethylene products are cheap and convenient. The most significant “disadvantage” of any type of plastic is the long period of natural decomposition of waste.

According to preliminary estimates by ecologists, the decay period of a plastic film or bottle in wildlife is from one hundred to two hundred years. This makes the threat of the death of all living things under tons of plastic waste very real in the near future.

Where can I take PET waste?

The bulk of household polyethylene waste ends up in ordinary garbage - solid waste containers located in the courtyards of residential buildings. A significant disadvantage of this disposal method is the severe contamination of PET with food debris, chemicals, dirt, liquids, etc. In the future, the total mass of waste will need to be sorted, and the plastic itself will require additional cleaning.

Important! An excellent solution today is to sort household waste at the moment of throwing it away, when plastic items are placed in specially designated storage areas.

Unfortunately, this method, which is very popular in European countries, is having difficulty taking root in Russia:

1. Such containers are not yet available in every yard or even in every locality;
2. There is no working fine system for violating sorting rules, and as a result, even with such “distributors”, other types of waste often end up in the plastic bin.

You can donate PET waste:

1. To enterprises directly involved in processing PET waste, if they accept it themselves.
2. Recycling collection points operating in every city accept waste paper, scrap metal, plastic, etc. The fee for handing over plastic will be a pittance, but in this way you will make your contribution to preserving the environment.

What products are made from recycled polyethylene?

The raw materials obtained from the recycling of plastics are cheap and high-quality materials for the manufacture of a huge number of new useful products:

• waste with a short shelf life - bottles, disposable containers and packaging - are successfully recycled into similar products;
• Recycled granules serve as an additive to virgin polyethylene, for example, in the production of pressure pipes or large-volume containers;
• blown bottles, cans for food products and household chemicals are used for the subsequent production of drainage pipes, wood-polymer composites (they are used to make picket fences, decking boards, garden parquet, etc.);
• film waste from household waste, as well as used agricultural film, is usually processed into pellets for future injection molding products;
• Multilayer films as well as cable waste can only be recycled as additives for other granules, etc.

Depending on the type of PE product, as well as the area where it was used, the methods and equipment used for its recycling will vary significantly.

Recycling of PET products

What does the production of polyethylene waste recycling consist of? The full cycle will include several main stages:

Recycling polyethylene at home

Today, the possibility of recycling polyethylene at home occupies many inquisitive minds. For example, there are already developed methods for independent safe combustion of PET containers, proposed by scientists working in the field of ecology.

But there is an alternative view: when plastic is burned or even melted, substances harmful to humans and nature are released into the atmosphere. Therefore, independent burning or recycling of polyethylene waste is prohibited; such work can only be carried out by special enterprises with the appropriate license.

PET recycling

When talking about recycling, today we often mean plastic recycling processes, when recyclable materials are given a “new life” and used to re-manufacture products.

Sometimes recycling refers to an alternative to recycling - the physical destruction of plastic waste or its storage in landfills and landfills. Since burning plastic is prohibited, other, more environmentally friendly methods are used to destroy it.

From the point of view of preserving the environment, it is highly effective, for example, the thermal decomposition of plastics at high temperatures in an oxygen-free environment.

However, a huge amount of plastic waste still ends up in city landfills.

Recycling PET waste is a promising direction in the economy, which is also supported by environmentalists. With the development of technology, recycling plastic waste becomes cheaper for the manufacturer, while at the same time making it possible to rid the planet of excess plastic, which is difficult to decompose in natural conditions. The environmental risks arising during the recycling process cannot be compared with the problems that humanity will face in the near future, since there are more and more landfills every year.