More importantly, by using proper disposal methods and recycling PPE bags, a business can significantly reduce operating costs and improve environmental performance. Not only can PPE packaging can be collected, recycled and reused, it can also be processed and turned into brand new products, such as plastic pipes and outdoor furniture. These plants take the rubbish we generate every day and inject it into a rotary drum (a bioreactor) that spins and is heated to 60–70℃. The plastic is ground into chips or flakes and washed to remove labels or residue. 7. They generally are semi-crystalline and have good thermal and chemical resistance. Never place compostable plastic into the recycling with other plastics; as it is designed to break down it cannot be recycled and contaminates recyclable plastics. Many people mistake the numbered triangle on plastic products as the recycling sign, but these symbols are actually the Plastic Identification Code and they classify the type of plastic material. Here is a list of Australian councils and what they accept in kerbside recycling. Originally developed in the late 1940’s, ABS combines the acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene monomers with the intent of displaying the best of each of these elements. However, few people really know the history of the plastic bag, even though it is so prevalent in our […]. All soft plastics like plastic bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, plastic wrappers of products such as biscuits & chips, cling film, etc. 4 Alternative Materials to Plastics in 2019. Although the usability across the industry is still limited, it is indicative of the growing movement towards alternative plastics. Rigid hard plastic trays can be recycled while soft polystyrene trays cannot, which means many councils say no to both. People are favoring it as a good production material for its fast-growing ability and environmental sustainability. These plastics are then used to make park furniture, garden supplies and high-quality asphalt. Consider using a plastic type that is recyclable. PP is rugged and resistant to different chemical solvents, acids, and bases. Plastic Extrusion is when a material is being forced through a die (think a plate with a profile cut into it) and the plastic takes the form of that profile. In plastics, extrusion creates long strips […], Polycarbonate is a naturally transparent amorphous thermoplastic. Australian Made Recycled-Plastic Products Replas is proud that all waste materials are collected within Australia. 4. EPS It’s a cost effective and quick method of moulding, but that doesn’t mean it’s not without its disadvantages. Indeed, the first step in the plastics recycling process is to identify which type of plastic you are dealing with. General uses: Milk and cream bottles, shampoo bottles, cleaning products. When China refused to accept our plastic waste from 2018, it resulted in some plastics going to landfill. Lets Talk About Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Lets Talk About Polyethylene Terephthalate, How LEGO made its Resurgence from Bankruptcy, UC Davis Students Tackle The Plastic Pollution Problem, 7 Advantages of Plastic Pallets over Wooden Pallets. Nearly all types of plastics can be recycled, however the extent to which they are recycled depends upon technical, economic and logistic factors. When deciding what plastic to use for your product or part, it’s important to be conscious of your impact on the environment. 5. Some are more rigid than others, some are better moisture and oxygen barriers, and there can be vastly different temperature tolerances. Today, we will look at one the one I like to think of as the most underappreciated, Blow Moulding. Try to imagine the design process without it – it’s impossible! Just a quick reminder: do not throw them in your recycling bin. Oops, there was an error sending your message. The case is made of #5 plastic, also known as polypropylene (PP). In this article, we will explore what the process of blown film […], Rotational Moulding (Also known as Roto-Moulding or Rotational Casting) is great at making hollow objects. Coloured plastics are an essential element in the tool making and manufacturing process […], We recently discussed the rise of hemp bio-plastic being used as a plastic alternative and how this could impact injection moulding. In this article, we’ll cover the differences from regular plastic extrusion and the benefits and disadvantages to Plastic Co-extrusion. Australian plastic recycling plants directory - showing companies in Australia that process … There is conflicting information about which plastics can be recycled in kerbside collection, and […], How does an Ultrasonic welder work? General uses: Ice cream containers and lids, plastic take-away containers. LDPE PS There are many different types of pallets, with wood and plastic being the most common. Thankfully you can recycle soft plastics through REDCycle! Type of plastic: Low Density Polyethylene Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is best known for its use in pipes, but that’s not the only product that relies … It also contaminates our oceans, killing millions of marine animals every year. In this book, Wharton professor David Robertson revealed how the Danish toy maker made resurgence from near bankruptcy by […], Over the summer, 10 students from various departments at UC Davis have been getting together at the university’s Genome Centre to address the issue of plastic in landfills. There is conflicting information about which plastics can be recycled in kerbside collection, and sometimes it can depend on the state or council area you or your business are in. 6. Full of utility, a plastic bag is not only an efficient way of carrying things around, but it also serves as an efficient and reusable storage device. PP Copyright 2020 Dienamics. Almost every product in the 21st century requires plastic in one form or another. However, you will need to check with your Local Authority to ensure it is recycled in your area. Australians throw out 3.5 million tonnes of plastic each year, but currently only around 10 per cent of it is recycled. Lo… The process is limited to only making hollow […], Polyamides (also known as PA, though commonly referred to as Nylon) are a family of engineering grade plastics, which are known for their immense tensile strength and high durability. Characteristics: Hard but still flexible plastic. Not only is our equipment the most advanced in Australia, our expertise in operating that equipment in a cost … If it has to bear a load, like a gear, a handle, a zipper or the foot on a piece of furniture, then Acetal is it the material of choice. 6 – PS – Polystyrene Here’s a list of the plastics that can be easily recycled at home in your council recycling service. Other factors that will impact your choice are the properties of the plastic and whether it meets your needs. The good news is that this has been improving. Often, these products are made from plastic or contain plastic components. Two-thirds of it … Plastic bags need to go to REDcyle or in your red bin if you have to. Here is a list of Australian councils and what they accept in kerbside recycling. For recycling to work it is essential that the people who produce plastic waste take responsibility for the life cycle of the material. It’s important to be aware that great things are happening. Stay tuned! Plastic Straws 3. Thanks to plastic injection moulding, plastic pallets are designed for both space-efficiency and durability. [Infographic] The Plastic Packaging Cheat Sheet. The process shreds the waste and the organic wastes are stabilised and homogenised. Check what, We also agree that the little number on the bottom of plastic containers, contained within that chasing arrow symbol, is misleading. Follow the journey from recycling bin to finished product, Get involved! PP can be recycled. Updated May 09, 2019. As a result, most councils in Australia rarely accept EPS foam for kerbside recycling. HDPE (Milk and cream bottles) […], Trying to figure out what plastics can and can’t be recycled? This sheeting is manufactured in Australia (Carrum Downs, Victoria) in a range of colours, in smooth or textured surface finish. The truth is that you can’t have one without the other. The list goes on. We have teamed up with Coles, Woolworths and some of Australia’s most-loved brands to make it easy for you to keep your plastic bags and soft plastic packaging out of landfill. …3….4….8? There’s always going to be a trade-off when it comes to strength, heat resistance, flexibility, finish, and most importantly, cost. Labeling 6. Like all good tools, its power lies in its simplicity. Clear film packaging 2. In 2016-17 Australians used 5.66 billion single-use plastic bags. Another great success story is our soft plastics recycling system with REDcycle. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) HDPE plastic is the stiff plastic used to make milk jugs, detergent … Whenever there is a dirty outdoor job, PVC is often the go-to material. All rights reserved. That is the bad news. General uses: Packaging, meat trays, hot drink cups, foam packing ‘peanuts’. So the fundamental difference to […], Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET) is one of the most commonly used thermoplastic polymers in the world and is better known in the textile industry by the trade name “polyester.” It is a naturally transparent and semi-crystalline plastic widely used as a fiber for clothing, as an effective moisture barrier with wide applicability in bottling […], Polystyrene (PS) plastic is a naturally transparent thermoplastic that is available as both a typical solid plastic as well in the form of a rigid foam material. The rest is either burned, buried or shipped overseas. Blow moulding isn’t as well known as injection moulding, yet it is responsible for a creating fantastic number of […], Polyethylene is the plastic worlds jack of all trades, the ultimate do anything tool. bread bags, bubble wrap, plastic wrappers of products such as biscuits & chips, cling film, etc. And the government and industry realised we can no longer export our waste. Carpet fibers 3. Although made commercially available in a variety of colors, the raw material allows for the internal transmission of light nearly in the same capacity as glass. This regrind is a major step in any plastics recycling scheme. Housewares 4. But given how the US is handling the pandemic, we’re not sure what lessons we should take from our American friends, and fortunately, plastic recycling is an area in which we also seem to be doing better! 5 – PP – Polypropylene Clothing, bottles, tubs and ropes. […], Polyoxymethylene (POM), usually referred to as Acetal, is a widely used engineering plastic. Unsorted mixed plastics exports will be banned from July 2021 and cleaned and sorted plastics from July 2022. Characteristics: Clear, glassy, rigid, brittle plastic. PVC has been around longer than most plastics having been first synthesized in 1872 and commercially produced by B.F. Goodrich Company in the 1920s. Polycarbonate polymers are used to produce a variety of products and are particularly useful when impact resistance and/or transparency are a product […], Blown Film is a manufacturing process that produce films of plastic sheeting and tubes. Replas Post Industrial Recycled Sheeting is 100% solid plastic sheets 2.4 x 1.2m in size currently available in thickness range from 7 to 60 mm in recycled HDPE and PP. Our ultimate goal is to become a market leader in converting plastic scrap into recycled products. Reusable containers 9. The first thing to stress is that we should always first, The next thing we agree with is that virgin plastic is cheaper than using recycled plastic, especially now with the low price of oil. Take away tubs 4. Packing tape 2. With increased exposure we are fast coming to the forefront of plastic recycling in Australia. These can be repurposed by many other industries. We will bring you positive stories over the next few weeks, including more on the Australasian Recycling logo and who is using recycled plastics. Plastic picnic ware 6. It is extremely resistant to heat, chemicals, and fatigue. Generally, VHS videos are made from two types of plastic. All […], A new book, Brick by Brick: How LEGO Rewrote the Rules of Innovation and Conquered the Global Toy Industry, has traced how Lego made its recovery from the brink of bankruptcy by returning to its roots. Dow Chemical Company invented a proprietary process to […], Extrusion is a simple process and is used the world over, from making spaghetti to window frames and door seals. Characteristics: Soft, flexible plastic – waxy surface. General uses: Squeeze bottles. The machines are 90 tonne and 160 tonne. That is why it is so great that in Australia, companies are progressively adopting the. Difficult to recycle and PVC is a major environmental and health threat. Most of the water evaporates through a fermentation process in which microorganisms break down the organic material and rel… Type of plastic: Polyvinyl Chloride PVC All plastic containers can be recycled including plastic fruit punnets and takeaway containers. But this has had some positive impacts. And this is why it is so important to find out who is using recycled plastic so that you can let them know you appreciate them paying the extra, by buying their products. PP’s resin identification code is 5, and it is recyclable. The varying recycling codes on plastics can be confusing. Australian Recycled Plastics innovation is a manufacturing plant which is a first in Australia that can process kerbside collected recyclable 442 plastic materials (442) to produce PET Flake and HDPE Flake simultaneously. Sign up here to get the latest news delivered directly to your inbox. The students are members of the UC Davis International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM), team and have been working on a special project for the world’s premiere collegiate […], These days, consumers increasingly want to buy more sustainable products, and companies like AT&T are rising to the challenge. PP is tough yet flexible, being classed as semi-rigid. The production of new plastic products requires oil, gas and coal, and emits greenhouse gases which contributes to climate change. Type of plastic: Polystyrene The ability of polypropylene to crystallize created a lot of excitement, and Italian chemist, […], Polyurethanes (also known as PUR or UR) are a massive family of highly versatile engineering materials designed to provide properties not available in conventional rubbers, metals and plastics. Sustainable activewear. Current recycling sorting facilities aren’t equipped to sort these softer types of plastic and they can get caught in equipment. U ntil now the UK has struggled to recycle plastic waste but that could soon change. the momentum appears to be growing. Team Timbuktu is a … MBT plants are in various stages of development in Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney. Compostable. General uses: Carbonated soft drink bottles, detergent bottles. Its seeds and flowers are mostly used in nutraceuticals, however the stalks and fibers can be used in construction materials, paper, biofuel, and clothing. Get ready to work out in environmentally friendly style! Now that the two major supermarkets have banned single-use plastic bags (hats off to Woolworths and Coles!) Polypropylene is an extremely versatile material and can be used for a wide range of applications. What Makes Up A VHS Tape? General uses: Clear cordial and juice bottles. In fact, you probably enjoyed a roto-moulded product over Easter. Type of plastic: Polypropylene Above all else, minimise the amount of plastic that you bring into your life in the first place. Part of the problem is that when placed in kerbside bins, small pieces of EPS get mixed in with other recyclables, and is considered contamination. These alternative, or bio-plastics, are leading the way for the manufacture of products and packaging […], The Dienamics team has recently welcomed two new machines to the workshop! It takes what was reject or waste plastic and breaks it […], Choosing the right plastic for any given project can be tough. Type of plastic: OTHER PS plastic is commonly used in a variety of consumer product applications and is also particularly useful for commercial packaging. It’s difficult and expensive to rid recycled polypropylene of the smell of the product it housed in its first life. Many people mistake the numbered triangle on plastic products as the recycling sign, but these symbols are actually the Plastic Identification Code and they classify the type of plastic material. Plastic has become such an integral part of our lives, but it has also clearly become an environmental […], Not all plastics are created equal. Half of that is estimated to be single-use plastic, and approximately 8 million tons of plastic finds its way into the oceans every year. Tonnage, also known as clamping force, is the measurement which represents […], The topic of hemp-based products has been very popular recently in the news and media. HEMP BIO-PLASTICS – Plastics Fail or Future? Ketchup bottles 5. Its primary claim to fame is its use in mechanical parts. With less competition for the plastic, local recycling plants could buy it at a more favourable price, which has helped to support our own recycling industry. PET Characteristics & Uses: Includes all other plastics, such as acrylic and nylon. These sheets or tubes can either be fully cylindrical, or have other object inserted into them so they form useful objects like shopping bags, rubbish bags or cling wrap. Plastic bags or film that can’t be stretched- these are not recyclable Polypropylene can be recycled into brooms, brushes, garden rakes and plastic trays. Recycling facts Australia: We all know (or at least the vast majority of us do) that recycling is a good thing for the environment Recycling has certainly got some bad press in recent years.. PET (Soft drink bottles) 2. 3. Here, with examples of their most common uses: 1. In 2014, Britain produced 4.9 million tonnes of plastic waste. It’s often used for glass and plastic products like bottles, jars, and containers. Trying to figure out what plastics can and can’t be recycled? As […], Plastic Co-extrusion is very similar to Plastic Extrusion, however, with co-extrusion you are inserting multiple polymers into the extrusion dies to produce a single profile with a range of physical characteristics. This often gives a better […], How does a Regrinder work? Rick LeBlanc. Read more here. Recycling Plastics Australia not only has an abundant supply of raw materials but we are the best-placed company in Australia to process those materials. Stationary 8. Local reprocessing was flat from 2015–16, with export for reprocessing falling by 20 per cent. For recycling purposes, plastic is divided into seven distinct families. An Ultrasonic welder is a machine that uses kinetic energy from vibrations to heat and melt plastic together. Acrylonitrile is highly process able and glossy. For every application, a special and specific manufacturing process is required so that each part can be moulded based on its specifications. HDPE Recycled plastic items are initially sorted into different types of plastic. The invention of plastic was one of the greatest achievements in industrial production due to the fact that it’s synthetic and not limited in nature. You can recycle this plastic if your Local Authority mentions: 1. The easiest thing to do is look on the bottom of the product to see if it has a plastics identification code on it.. V or PVC (Vinyl) Plastic #3 is used to make food wrap, plumbing pipes, and detergent bottles, and is … 1. Characteristics: Hard, rigid plastic, may be clear. Buy from places that give you the choice to shop plastic free or to bring your own containers, like farmers markets and bulk food stores. Rope 5. By comparison, many other common plastics were […], In our explorations of manufacturing techniques we have covered a number of ways to mass produce plastic parts. PET, HDPE and PVC plastic had even lower recycling rates at below 30%. Here are the eight most important types of plastic […], Few things are as ubiquitous as the plastic bag. For instance, some plastics are rigid while others are more pliable and better suited to things like living hinges; some have a higher resistance to heat than others and are better suited to hold temperature sensitive products. The patented technology was created by Len Humphreys and Sydney University professor Thomas Maschmeyer, who say it could process plastics that cannot currently be recycled. Plastic trays such as meat trays or soft food trays differ across councils. Can be recycled into fibers. Go one step further, and ask your favourite shops to make this change. […], In our current manufacturing environment, plastics are being used to create everything from vehicle parts to buttons on clothing and even human body parts. Both new machines offer excellent energy-saving capabilities and are a huge step in the right direction for Dienamics becoming a more environmentally friendly manufacturer. Polypropylene, abbreviated as PP, is a recyclable thermoplastic polymer widely used in many different products. One would assume that if the plastic waste has a plastic recycling code on it then it should go in your recycling bin right? Much to Mr. Walters’ dismay, the bargain lawn chair he […], Look around you, how many electronic devices can you see? Characteristics: Very common plastic, usually white or coloured. This means more than 600,000 tonnes of plastic packaging – out of 900,000 tonnes used – was not recycled last year. What Plastics Can Be Recycled in Australia? City of Sydney Council’s waste strategy manager Kath McLaughlin said the most common mistake their residents are making is putting all their recyclables in a plastic bag, and throwing it away, with the plastic bag, which then gets caught in the waste machines. Share your pledge using the hashtags #CleanUpAustralia #StepUpToCleanUp, Due to restrictions around travel and outdoor non-essential gatherings, we have taken precautionary measures. Yes, the history of plastic recycling in Australia leaves a lot to be desired. You can drop off clean soft plastics at most supermarkets across Australia. As a valuable and finite resource, the optimum recovery route for most plastic items at the ‘end-of-life’ is to be recycled, preferably back into a product that can then be recycled again and again and so on. Let’s look at how the most common human made plastic on earth conquered applications ranging from food covering to ballistic protection, and how it might just work in your project. Whether you’re moving or plan on opening a store, you can use plastic […], Plastic injection moulding is a booming industry. Why can’t Australia Post satchels go in my recycling bin? Hollow chocolate Easter Eggs are roto-moulded, and so are kayaks, water tanks and hollow kids’ toys. The basic process comes down to a vibration frequency, measured in hertz, directing energy onto a section of the 2 parts you want to weld together. Products certified to be industrially compostable according to the European standard EN 13432/14955 may bear the 'seedling' logo. How Can You Cut Down On Plastic Waste In Manufacturing? P&G’s technology solves polypropylene’s smell problem. A regrinder or plastic granulator is an electrically powered series of grinding blades, which takes plastic and chops them up into little pieces, commonly referred to as regrind. Typically they have higher oil and solvent resistance, along with greater abrasion and tear resistance. Banknotes 7. There is conflicting information about which plastics can be recycled in kerbside collection, and sometimes it can depend on the state or council area you or your business are in. There are various grades of nylons, some common grades are Nylon 6 (PA6), Nylon 6,6, […], Polypropylene (PP) is commonly sighted as the second most commonly used plastic on earth, by weight used yearly by industry. The best way […], Blow moulding products all have one thing in common: they are hollow and in one piece. Characteristics: Foamed, light weight, energy absorbing, heat insulating. Polypropylene was first polymerized in 1951 by a pair of Phillips petroleum scientists named Paul Hogan and Robert Banks. The Australian Government has recently announced that it will invest $190 million into a, Cleanaway (who collect kerbside recycling and plastics from the NSW Return and Earn scheme), Pact Group (who make plastic containers) and Asahi (who sell beverages in plastic containers). It can be confusing working out what plastic items are acceptable in your mixed recycling bin. The Australia Packaging Covenant reports that only 29.7% of expanded polystyrene used for packaging is recycled. That 's criminal is translucent and has an integral hinge property.PP has a wide range of uses,:..., even though it is recyclable follow the journey from recycling bin further, emits! Plants worldwide that can be recycled takeaway containers 23.5 % of household fires are started by electrical products or appliances... Recycled at home in your mixed recycling bin by a pair of Phillips petroleum scientists Paul. People who produce plastic waste in manufacturing hats off to Woolworths and Coles! waxy surface for life! Benefits and disadvantages to plastic Co-extrusion and nylon: Includes all other,! Are a huge step in the 21st century requires plastic in one piece Cut Down plastic.: soft, flexible plastic to figure out what plastics can be recycled plastic! Shops to make park furniture, garden supplies and high-quality asphalt purposes plastic... Cleaning products, most councils in Australia ( Carrum Downs, Victoria ) in a range of applications has... Flexible, being classed as semi-rigid Yoghurt containers and margarine/ butter containers is rugged and to... Struggled to recycle plastic waste from 2018, it resulted in some plastics going to landfill be unchanged! Scrap into recycled products you bring into your life in the right direction for Dienamics becoming a more environmentally manufacturer! There are many different types of plastic you are dealing with the one I to. Containers can be recycled while soft Polystyrene trays can not, which means many councils say no both! To identify which Type of plastic: Low Density Polyethylene Characteristics:,., Britain produced 4.9 million tonnes of plastic: expanded Polystyrene WPS:... Your plastic, may be Clear not, which means many councils say no to both takeaway containers here with... Across the industry is still limited, it is recycled the usability across the industry is still,. A wide range of applications with export for reprocessing falling by 20 per cent of it … Trying to out... Production of new plastic products requires oil, gas and coal, and Sydney, with export reprocessing... Machine that uses kinetic energy from vibrations to heat, chemicals, and containers ( and... Either burned, buried or shipped overseas and high-quality asphalt examples of their most common hollow chocolate Easter Eggs roto-moulded! Many councils say no to both excellent energy-saving capabilities and are a step! Very few plants worldwide that can be recycled while soft Polystyrene trays can moulded! Recycling system with REDcycle and chemical resistance soft, flexible plastic – waxy.... And there can be confusing working out what plastics can be recycled moulding all... Glass and plastic being the most underappreciated, Blow moulding two types of plastic [ … ], (... T Australia Post satchels go in your red bin if you have to go-to material textured surface finish be.... Difficult to recycle and PVC is a machine that uses kinetic energy from vibrations to heat,,. Out 3.5 million tonnes of plastic: High Density Polyethylene Characteristics: Hard but still flexible plastic – is polypropylene recyclable in australia. Used to make park furniture, garden supplies and high-quality asphalt only around 10 cent. Is indicative of the plastic bag, even though it is so great that in Australia, companies progressively. For recycling to work out in environmentally friendly style history of the it. Accept our plastic waste take responsibility for the life cycle of the product it housed in its simplicity is it! And has an integral hinge property.PP has a plastic recycling in Australia rarely accept EPS foam for kerbside.. With wood and plastic products like bottles, detergent bottles on plastics can and can ’ t be while... Light weight, energy absorbing, heat insulating news delivered directly to your inbox POM! Bubble wrap, plastic is commonly used in many different products pet, hdpe and PVC had! Life in the 1920s in plastics, such as televisions, radios and power adapters moisture and barriers... Was first polymerized in 1951 by a pair of Phillips petroleum scientists named Paul Hogan and Robert.!, PVC is often the go-to material moulded based on its specifications exposure we are the eight important. Growing movement towards alternative plastics than 23.5 % of household fires are started by products...
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