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How many time can PE be recycled?
- This topic has 4 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 2 years ago by
.
Hey, I wondered if anyone can tell me how many time PE can be recycled with out adding new raw material. I have found info online that says its recycleable only 1 or 2 times and other info that says its endlessly recyclable. I wonder if its the case that it would be endlessly recyclable should it stay 100% PE and that the sorting process means this is very difficult to achieve and the material is therefore us contaiminated with other plastics? or do plastic recycling firms say it is endlessly recyclable becuase they add an amount of raw material in the process?
Also if it is only 1 or 2 times recyclable, do you know exaclty why? what it is that happens that means the quality is so drastically changed?
Thanks in advance.
Jojo
Hello Jojo!
I’ve worked with plastic inyection for a few years. I don’t remember in the case of PE particularly, but in general we used to mix all the recicled plastic with virgin material, excep when we knew that it was the first time that the material was being reused. For example I remember that PA that has been re-inyected 2 times was clearly weaker than new/mixed material.
So, if you are reutilizing your own material, try to keep track of how many times you recicle it and then try to add it to newer material in diferent proportions to see how it changes.
Hope it helps
Cheers from Argentina!
Dear Jojo,
The thing is basically every plastics, have degradation when heat applied. The more time you heat it, and cool it the more degradation you get. Also, if your heating process not very well coordinated, it’s maybe bonding fumes, and can collect some dust etc. You can recycle it like 100%, but without adding about 40% raw to the mix at least, you’ll start to find out, the products is weaker after every step.
Hello everyone!
I’m new at this, and I want to get started. So now I’m a bit confused.
If you want to make quality products like phone cases/ sunglasses etc
And you’re using first time recycled shredded plastic do you still use a % of raw plastic?
If not needed, is it still better quality in case that you do use so?
Cause that would be quite sad
Have a great weekend guys 🙂
Ok, thanks. So when melting waste plastic bags for example, they could have already been through the recycle process before they get to me, but would have been mixed with raw material so their quality might still be fine to recycle once without adding raw material.
Thanks again, I think trial will tell me more!
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