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Plastic Film Recycling
Exactly what’s the distinction between the plastic film around a package of chicken breasts and of beef steaks? Believe it or not, these are most likely 2 different kinds of plastic, requiring different reusing methods. Below are some facts about plastic film recycling that might help your firm better understand and enhance its waste and also recycling processes.
The Most Commonly Used Types of Plastic Film
Film is a term used to explain flexible materials that are typically less than 10 mil thick. It does not specify a certain chemical makeup or recycling commodity. As an example, while the plastic wrap found around packages of chicken breasts and beef steaks might look quite comparable (and apparently serve the very same function) the previous is typically made from a type of Polyethylene (such as LDPE), while the latter is likely a kind of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). These are 2 different types of plastic resin with different properties. For instance, the leaks in the structure of PVC allows oxygen through, which is preferable for keeping red meat (like steak) looking fresh. This permeability is a much less desirable characteristic for product packaging fowl.
Film is a term used to describe flexible materials that are usually less than 10 mil thick. It does not define a specific chemical makeup or recycling commodity. For instance, while the plastic wrap found around packages of chicken breasts and beef steaks may look very similar (and seemingly serve the same purpose) the former is usually made from a type of Polyethylene (such as LDPE), while the latter is likely a type of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). These are two different types of plastic resin, and have different properties. For instance, the permeability of PVC allows oxygen through, which is desirable for keeping red meat (like steak) looking fresh. This permeability is a less desirable trait for poultry packaging.
Here are some most commonly used types of plastic film:
- Polyethylene (PE) Film
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Film
- Polypropylene (PP) Film
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Film
Elements Affecting Plastic Film Recycling Grades
Besides resin kind, factors such as quality, wetness, and contamination degrees could all affect the worth, or grade, of your plastic film. For example, clear film typically costs more than colored or opaque movie. This is because, while clear film may be reused to produce colored film, it is difficult to do the opposite. In a similar way, moisture content or the presence of contaminants such as food waste, metal, paper, and even other plastic types could decrease the cost of your plastic film recycling.
That’s why there are 3 different grafes of LDPE film, which is a common waste thing at production and also distribution centers. Right here are some examples of regularly approved grade requirements for LDPE film:
A: This grade consists of 95% clean, completely dry LDPE or LLDPE film. There is an allowance for approximately 5% shade, print, or tag contamination with this film quality.
B: 80% clear, clean LDPE or LLDPE film with this grade, and 20% shade contamination is allowed. Overall contaminants must not exceed about 10% of this load as well as must be limited to items such as PP film, injection grade tubs, loosened paper, or very little quantity of HDPE.
C: This is one of the lowest LDPE film grades and includes just 50% clear, tidy LDPE or LLDPE films. Recyclers normally enable as much as 50% of this load to be colored film, and HDPE or PP films are additionally approved. Complete contaminants should not go beyond 15%.
Plastic Film Recycling Best Practices
Regardless of what materials or qualities of film remain in your waste stream, some best practices for plastic film recycling consist of the following:
Resource Separate– By collecting film at the factor where it enters your waste stream, you can conserve time on separation. Also, this method might help in reducing possibilities for contamination.
Baling is Best– The more dense a reusing load, the more profitable. This is especially true when it comes to film, as this product tends to expand unless compacted and bound. When possible, baling is typically the most effective alternative for gathering and also condensing plastic film.
Keep Materials Clean and Dry– Once your film is gathered and combined, be sure to keep it in a clean, dry place. While this is an ideal method for a lot of recycling waste streams, it is particularly essential if you are trying to sort for higher grades of film.
We hope you found these film facts interesting and helpful. For additional resources on plastic recycling best practices, contact us today or check out one of our past related articles listed here.