Recycling
Process of recycling
Recycling plastics, particularly PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene), involves several steps to break down and process the waste materials into usable forms, like PET flakes and LDPE granules. Here's a breakdown of the typical processes for each:
Recycling PET to Make PET Flakes
Collection & Sorting
Plastic waste, such as bottles and containers made from PET, is collected from various sources, including curbside collection, recycling centres, or industrial waste.
The collected plastics are sorted to ensure they are predominantly PET, separating them from other types of plastics.
Cleaning & Shredding:
PET bottles or containers are washed to remove contaminants like labels, adhesives, dirt, and leftover food or liquids. This step often involves soaking, washing with detergent, and rinsing to ensure a clean product.
After cleaning, the PET material is mechanically shredded into smaller pieces, often called “PET flakes.” These flakes are easier to handle and process in the next stages.
Separation & Drying
To improve the purity of PET flakes, further separation might occur to remove any remaining contaminants. This can involve air classification, flotation tanks, or centrifugal force to sort out materials with different densities.
The PET flakes are then dried to eliminate any residual moisture, ensuring they are in an optimal state for further processing or manufacturing.
Recycling LDPE to Make LDPE Granules
Collection & Sorting
LDPE items, such as plastic bags, shrink wraps, and flexible packaging, are collected from recycling bins or waste streams.
These materials are sorted to separate LDPE from other plastics and contaminants.
Cleaning & Shredding:
Similar to PET recycling, LDPE materials are thoroughly cleaned to remove impurities. This can include washing to remove dirt, food particles, or other unwanted substances.
After cleaning, LDPE is shredded into small pieces. This step creates granules that are smaller and easier to process for further steps.
Compaction & Pelletizing:
The shredded LDPE is often compacted and melted to form granules or pellets. This process might involve heating the material to a molten state and then using an extruder to shape it into uniform pellets. After forming granules, they are cooled and solidified.
Video of the recycling process
"Watch how old plastic is recycled through a vigorous process, transforming into flakes and granules, which are then ready to be used in manufacturing new products like bottles, clothing, packaging, and more."
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