Plastic is a huge part of our daily lives, from our shampoo bottles to our food containers, we can’t avoid it. In fact, in roughly 70 years, 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic have been produced, with around 6.3 billion metric tons of that becoming waste. As a waste management company, we want people to be more aware of the amount of plastic they use and make sure it is being recycled.
Here is a guide to the recycling process and what happens to plastic after you throw it in a recycling bin.
Collection and distribution
Firstly, recycling is collected from homes, businesses and institutions. There are multiple ways for it to be collected such as through the local government or private waste management companies. Many businesses opt for private waste companies as it allows for more efficient waste management. You can also take plastics to communal collection points such as recycling bins or facilities.
Sorting and categorising
After the plastics have been collected, it now needs to be sorted. There are a few different types of plastic that need to be separated from each other. They may also be sorted by properties such as colour, thickness and use. Machines will do this at the recycling plant to increase efficiency.
Washing
A crucial step in the process, the plastic must be washed in order to remove some of the impurities that can impede the operation or ruin the batch of recycling plastic. The impurities that need to be removed include labels, adhesives, dirt and food residue. Although plastics are washed, you should still try to clean your recycling as much as possible beforehand.
Shredding
The plastic is then sent through shredders which break the plastic down into smaller pieces. These pieces can be processed in the next stages for reuse.
Identification and separation
The plastic can now be tested for its class and quality. They are segregated based on density which is tested by bloating the particles of plastic in a container of water. Another test called air classification follows to determine the thickness of the plastic pieces.
Extruding and compounding
Finally, the shredded plastic particles are transformed into a usable product for manufacturers. It is melted and crushed together to form pellets.
To learn more about eco-friendly waste removal, visit our website. We are a waste management company offering recycling services to make your home and businesses more sustainable. Get in touch today.