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

Plastic bags are made from the same substance as all plastic: oil.

Oil materials and products have two main disadvantages: significant amounts of pollution are released during production, 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, between 60 million and 100 million barrels of oil is required to produce plastic bags per year worldwide, and it will take about 400 years for them to completely decompose.

Therefore, plastic bags are best recycled.

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

Many packages built 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 in this topic, too, not everything is clear. Is it true that they decompose in nature, or is this another trick to increase sales, we figured it out.

Plastic is a strong, lightweight and cheap material. It can be easily molded into a wide range of products.

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

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

You can recycle packages made from:

• polyethylene;
• cellophane;
• other polymers.

Polyethylene

Recycling of polyethylene is important because in most cases it is not biodegradable and can accumulate in landfills for decades. At the same time, the processing of polyethylene is quite easy to implement.

Due to the composition of the waste plastic can be melted to a liquid state.

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

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

Recyclable polyethylene includes bags:

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

Cellophane

Generally, cellophane is not recyclable, although it can be considered scientifically recyclable.

The plastic bag decomposes naturally (because it is not plastic). Therefore, for disposal, it is better to put it in compost.

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

Therefore, it is necessary to limit burst packets and make the most of each.

Products 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 shopping 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 because of their strength, they are well suited for use as grocery bags, clothing, and packaging.

PESP resins are less opaque than HDPE, but not as transparent as LDPE.

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 to make 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 feels tacky and is used as a stretch film.

All these raw materials are recycled in waste disposal factories. More durable plastic is not recyclable because the material clogs sorting equipment at processing facilities, which leads to its breakdown or stoppage.

Processing technology and equipment

The simplest of the plastic bag recycling processes includes the processes:

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

Manufacturing processes vary depending on the composition or type plastic.

Most processing plants operate in two phases:

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

Disposal of packages at home

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

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

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

Having cut off the handles, the bottom and cutting the side, we add the resulting rectangles in layers. The layer should consist of no more than 5 packages.

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

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

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

Next comes the adhesion of five-layer sheets to each other. We also iron the first two five-layer sheets, but at a higher temperature. On the resulting we impose the next five-layer soldering and iron it again.

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

The sheets are quite dense, so already a five-layer soldering can be applied anywhere you want.

But for better sheets they need bake in the oven:

1. Place on a baking sheet parchment.
2. We lay out a multilayer briquette on parchment.
3. Cover with a sheet of parchment.
4. Place a baking sheet on top as well.
5. Place on the top tray a couple of bricks for weighting.
6. Put it 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 cool, check the edges of the polyethylene. They must be uniform.. If not, place in the oven at a higher temperature up to 230 ° C.
9. For the received briquettes trim the edges.
10. We use recycled polyethylene.

Related videos

We offer you to watch a video about the disposal of plastic bags:

Output

The goal of plastic bag recycling is to reduce plastic pollution rates while reducing the cost of purchasing start-up materials for the manufacture of new plastic products.

This approach helps to save energy and frees the environment from plastic bag pollution, and reusing polyethylene at home will save on the cost of buying some things and materials.

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Why is neglect of containers dangerous and how important is polyethylene recycling for the environment? In our life, polyethylene is present as a packaging container, but despite its narrow specialization, it is widespread everywhere. Almost every house has a package with packages that we collect from the principles of economy. 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.

The relevance of processing

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

First of all, the ecological situation causes concern - according to approximate estimates, the decomposition of polyethylene takes up to 300 years. If a simple plastic bag ends up in a landfill in the general mass of household waste, then it greatly complicates the recycling process. Over time, this package undergoes thermal aging, gradually decomposing under the influence of sunlight, heat and oxygen. As it breaks down, the harmless package releases harmful chemicals into the soil and water.

Alas, it is not possible to limit the production of plastics and polyethylene, but it is possible to rationally organize the entire workflow. Waste polyethylene, in fact, is a versatile material. Recycling of polyethylene without exaggeration can be called the new life of raw materials. Man is required to create and improve ways to collect and process raw materials in order to make the process cyclical. Polyethylene waste may well become everyday items.

Processing companies

In recent years, the number of organizations processing this raw material has been systematically growing. Moreover, the point is not only in environmental problems, but also in 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. There is a certain scope for the imagination of entrepreneurs, although, of course, secondary polyethylene products involve some limitations.

The recycling of film and bags does not cause difficulties, since the structure of the materials used does not change for the most part, but the quality of the recycled raw materials decreases, and, accordingly, the scope of further application narrows.

Workflow Features

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

According to existing technologies, six stages of polyethylene waste processing can be distinguished:

1. First comes the collection of raw materials: films, bottles, other household waste. Waste sorting can be done by manual or mechanical labor. If household waste during collection is divided into waste paper, glass, paper, PET, then it is possible to reduce the amount of garbage that needs to be disposed of by a third.
2. The collected raw materials are sent to washing machines. This stage 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 the film, bottles, 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 moisture or random solid impurities remain in the raw material, the centrifuge process is carried out.
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, pipes.

Work in detail

And now let's try to take a closer look at the process of processing polyethylene into granules, because before that the process was considered only schematically. Of course, the right equipment is required for the job.

Well-established work is possible with:

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

In production, the presence of a conveyor or pneumatic conveyor will be relevant, 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 cost less than mechanical sorting, but you will have to start with a small amount of raw materials used.

Self-processing of the film allows you to get a dense waterproof fabric with a waterproofing function. The work process itself is simple - a piece of film must be laid between two parts of the fabric and ironed with an electric iron. The output is a three-layer composite material, as the film melts and penetrates into the layers of the fabric. With your own hands, you can get a composite material based on film, fabric and aluminum foil. The algorithm of operation is the same except for the fact that one layer of fabric is replaced by foil. Film, fabric and foil material is an excellent heat insulator. With the help of cross-linked polyethylene, many people equip a warm floor in the house.

For more benefit

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

The polyethylene granulator allows you to increase the company's income from the collection and sale of secondary raw materials. The result is a product that technically outperforms its “powdery or flake counterparts in the shop” due to its small volume (and, accordingly, lower packaging and transportation costs), high flowability, minimization of losses and dust formation, lower risk of destruction and photoaging.

Why does an enterprise need an extruder? Just with its help, you can get a unique material - low-pressure polyethylene. The extruder starts working after the agglomerator has his say and turns the result of collection and processing into slurry. Now the molten mass of plastic goes through the forming hole, where it melts and creates threads that cool under water and are cut into small pieces. At the output, a HDPE granule is ready.

At low pressure

Low density polyethylene is widely used all over the world. It is an organic compound that resembles white wax. Recycled low-density polyethylene is obtained through the collection and recycling of bottles and pipes.

This material is not afraid of frost or chemicals. It does not feel shock 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 action of nitric acid (50%), chlorine and fluorine.

How this product can be useful

1. Based on HDPE, accessories for swimming pools are made.
2. It is used in the process of 3D printers.
3. Such material is actual for work in the conditions of chemical and electric influence.
4. HDPE is good for creating anti-corrosion coating, food containers, bottles and collecting water connections.
5. In sports facilities, HDPE is used for the production of gymnastic hoops.
6. In restaurants, HDPE is a future plastic bag, plastic set or container. The HDPE bag rustles and wrinkles, so it is used for the so-called "T-shirts".
7. Pyrotechnics makers use HDPE to make their work more spectacular.

Outcome

The processing of polyethylene raw materials into granules makes it possible to significantly reduce the amount of garbage in urban landfills. Remember that polyethylene and plastic almost do not decompose. Meanwhile, on the basis of PET, you can do a successful business. Don't throw away things that might come in handy later. Even a simple package, 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 faced the problem of environmental pollution with plastic waste - and, accordingly, the issue of recycling such waste. It soon became clear that the recycling of plastic waste itself can be a business with a fairly attractive level of marginality.

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

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

• packaging labeled PET, PETE, HDPE, LDPE, PE, PP. 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;
• handles without rods, rulers;
• plastic woven bags, etc.

The demand for "secondary" plastic is quite high, and this has led to the fact that companies that are engaged in the processing of plastic waste are no longer satisfied with household and industrial waste, but are buying unnecessary plastic - primarily plastic (PET) bottles.

According to the State Institution "Operator of Secondary Material Resources", in each district of Minsk there are several points for receiving PET bottles. You can choose the nearest stationary collection point for plastic bottles by clicking on this link. The mode of operation and the cost of delivery of a kilogram of plastic waste are also indicated there.

Important point: at the reception point, you must bring at least a kilogram of plastic bottles, otherwise they will not be accepted. If you need to dispose of only 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 conspicuous yellow containers that are intended for separate collection of recyclables;
• plastic bottles can be thrown into containers labeled "plastic, glass, paper", "plastic, paper" or "plastic, paper, metal".

In addition to PET bottles from drinks, you can throw away in containers for separate waste collection:

• bottles from vegetable oil, vinegar, dairy products;
• plastic packaging for shampoo, hairspray, shower gels and other cosmetics;
• packaging from household chemicals, various detergents;
• plastic bags, food packaging containers;
• bread bags, milk bags, jars of yogurt, kefir;
• plastic household items (buckets, basins, etc.);
• plastic parts, cases 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, bags of mayonnaise, chips, tea. These 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 slight odor). Formed as a result of the polymerization of ethylene. Occupies the largest share among plastics. Industrial production of polyethylene began in the middle of the 20th century. Often people try to hand over polyethylene by mistake, confusing it with polyethylene rephthalate (PET). However, these are different substances, and the processes for their disposal or processing occur in different ways. 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.

Products made of polyethylene are familiar to everyone. 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 processing, then you can get secondary raw materials from them.

Varieties of polyethylene

Types of polyethylene materials There are quite a few varieties of polyethylene. Moreover, despite the fact that the same basic material serves as the basis for their production (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 is the same, regardless of its type.

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

High pressure polyethylene (LDPE)

Bags made from PVD

It is also commonly referred to as low density polyethylene. Obtained by the polymerization of ethylene using a tubular reactor or autoclave.

Low pressure polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE pipes

It is also commonly referred to as high density polyethylene. It is produced using three technologies: gas-phase, suspension and solution.

Medium Density Polyethylene (PSD)

Packages from PSD

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

Linear high-pressure polyethylene (LDPE)

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

Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX)

It 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)

Foamed PP polyethylene products are obtained using a 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 strong material. UHMP is produced at low pressure with a high degree of polymerization.

The use of polyethylene and its properties

The main product of LDPE is canisters of various volumes

LDPE

LDPE is characterized by increased ductility, high melt flow, and low tensile strength.

LDPE is the most common packaging material. It is used to make bags, film for wrapping. PVD products are glossy, do not rustle, have a beautiful appearance.

Recycling plastic bags allows you to reuse the material.

HDPE

Sufficiently rigid product, has a density of 0.95 g/cm³ (or higher). It has good strength, slightly elongates at break. Resistant to low temperatures (withstands frost down to -50°C). Does not pass moisture, resistant to fats and oils. It does not emit toxic substances, therefore it is safe for humans.

LDPE is mainly used to make canisters, garbage containers, solvent containers, etc.

PSD

It has good resistance to breakage or impact, cracking and scratching. The characteristics are similar to HDPE.

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

LPLD

It is similar in properties to HDPE, but has the highest physico-chemical parameters. Resistant to puncture, tolerates both high and low temperatures.

A thinner film can be obtained from LDPE than from HDPE. Packaging films, film for lamination, etc. - this is the main area of ​​application of LDPE, although it is gradually replacing LDPE. HDPE films can be used for hot food packaging.

PEX

PEX water pipes

Differs in the high durability and heat resistance, does not spread when heated.

Scope of cross-linked polyethylene - 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. It has excellent biological and chemical resistance. Durable. Weakly absorbs moisture and conducts heat poorly. Ecologicaly clean. Safe for humans.

It is mainly used 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, tolerates high temperatures well. It is unaffected by alkalis, acids and strong hardeners.

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

SVMP

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

The scope of application is very wide. UHMW is good wherever heavy-duty 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 polyethylene can be handed over quickly and easily. Many companies buy it in order 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 unit;
• agglomerator;
• granulator;
• extruder.

The pneumatic conveyor, as well as the conveyor, will help to increase the efficiency of the workflow - 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 temperature, forms secondary raw materials from polyethylene waste - agglomerate. Subsequently, finished products are produced from the agglomerate.

The granulator can 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. We have to apply increased security measures to avoid environmental pollution.

Recycled polyethylene products

Plastic trash bags are a by-product

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

for the first time, you can recycle polyethylene products 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 accept film and other materials from polyethylene, planning to make money on it, but we must not forget that the quality of the material decreases not only due to multiple recycling 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 worth considering the following feature: products recycled from polyethylene (for example, bags) may not be too inferior in their parameters to primary ones, but at the same time they can be bought 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;
• washing again;
• drying;
• heat treatment.

Polyethylene collection points (80 cities)

Video: Polyethylene recycling plant

It is already impossible 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, the search for effective ways of processing and utilizing this polymer remains an urgent problem.

Polyethylene (accepted abbreviations - PET, PE) is a thermoplastic polymer that is widely used to create a huge number of goods. Its use began in the 20th century: since the 30s it has been used in the production of telephone cables, since 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 containers: bottles, jars, boxes, canisters, containers, flower pots, etc.;
• pipes for sewerage and gas supply;
• electrical insulation, thermal insulation;
• accumulators, containers for liquid and solid chemicals;
• various types of fencing, etc.

Depending on the technologies, polyethylene of various types and performance properties is obtained and used in modern industry, for example:

• high pressure or low density (abbr. -, LDPE, LDPE - a more plastic type of polyethylene, used for the production of film, 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 density, and what types of packaging are made from it

Manufacturing process of plastic bags

The 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 from it fall into the category of waste:

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

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 time of a polyethylene 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 garbage very real in the near future.

Where to take PET waste?

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

Important! An excellent solution today is to sort household waste already at the time of its disposal, when plastic items are put into specially designated storage bins.

Unfortunately, while this method, which is very popular in European countries, takes root in Russia with difficulty:

1. such containers are not yet available in every yard and not even in every settlement;
2. there is no working penal system for violating the sorting rules, and as a result, even with such “distributors”, other types of garbage often end up in the plastic tank.

You can hand over PET waste:

1. For enterprises directly involved in the processing of PET waste, if they accept them themselves.
2. Recycling points operating in every city - they accept waste paper, scrap metal, plastic, etc. Payment for the delivery of plastic will be cheap, but in this way you will make your contribution to the preservation of the environment.

What products are made from recycled polyethylene?

The raw materials obtained as a result of the recycling of plastics are a cheap and high-quality material for the manufacture of a huge number of new useful goods:

• waste with a short period of use - bottles, disposable containers and packaging - are successfully processed into similar products;
• granules of secondary raw materials serve as an additive to primary polyethylene, for example, in the production of pressure pipes or large volume containers;
• blown bottles, canisters for food products and household chemicals are used for the subsequent production of drainage pipes, wood-polymer composites (picket fence, decking, garden parquet, etc. are made from them);
• film waste from household waste, as well as used film for agricultural purposes, 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 pellets, 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 differ significantly.

Recycling of PET products

What does the production of polyethylene waste processing 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 safe self-incineration of PET containers, proposed by researchers working in the field of ecology.

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

PET recycling

Speaking of recycling, today they often mean plastic recycling processes, when recyclable materials get a “new life” and are used to re-manufacture products.

Sometimes recycling refers to an alternative to recycling - the physical destruction of waste plastics or their 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 just in city landfills.

PET waste recycling is a promising direction in the economy, which is also supported by environmentalists. As technology advances, recycling of plastic waste is becoming cheaper for the manufacturer, while at the same time ridding the planet of excess plastic, which is difficult to decompose in natural conditions. The environmental risks that arise during the recycling process cannot be compared with the problems that humanity will face in the near future, as there are more and more garbage dumps every year.