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Most commonly used, mechanical recycling involves the following steps: Sorting, shredding, washing, drying, melting, and repurposing. The flakes and granules ground from the plastic waste can then be sent to manufacture new plastic products. This is by far the most commonly used process in the UK and also a core method of recycling waste plastic materials:
1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)
This versatile polymer is most commonly known to make water bottles and soda containers. PET is not only lightweight and durable but also highly recyclable.
2. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
HDPE is the strong, reliable material used in everything from pipes to shampoo and milk bottles. Its durability and resistance to moisture make it a top choice for packaging.
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl)
PVC is a commonly used form of plastic in various applications, from cable insulation to vinyl records. PVC's versatility and durability make it an essential part of products across many industries.
4. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
LDPE is the resilient material behind many everyday items like plastic bags, food packaging, and agricultural film. Its lightweight nature and flexibility makes it perfect for various applications.
Polypropylene is a versatile plastic found in items such as bottle caps, crates, and even automotive parts. Its strength, heat resistance, and lightweight properties make it a valuable material.
6. Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam)
Polystyrene is a lightweight plastic used in the packaging of electronics, food containers, and even insulation building materials. Despite its convenience, disposing of polystyrene safely can be difficult. This is why we offer a specialist recycling service for businesses.
This category encompasses a diverse range of plastics, including PMMA and acrylic, each with its unique properties and applications. These plastics often find their way into products like clear plastic sheets, signage, and optical lenses. While they serve crucial purposes, disposing of them improperly can pose challenges due to their varied chemical compositions.
What Cannot Be Recycled?
There are some plastics which are much more difficult to recycle. Quite often, this is because of the way they’re manufactured or how they were used. This includes:
Some food-contaminated plastics.
Metallised plastic, commonly used for crisp packets.
Plastics with hazardous contamination.
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