The Different Methods of Plastic Recycling

The Different Methods of Plastic Recycling Recycling is one of the most environmentally friendly options we have to dispose of our plastic waste, and you may only think of plastic recycling as a general term, however, there are three different types of plastic recycling processes. The industry is constantly experimenting and growing to find the most efficient ways to recycle plastic, with the cleanest methods and output. Currently, the main methods employed are mechanical, chemical and energy recycling, and we’ve broken them down below. Mechanical Recycling Mechanical recycling is the most commonly used recycling method around the world and refers to operations that aim to recycle plastic through the means of mechanical processes such as grinding, washing, separating, drying, re-granulating and compounding. It is used to mechanically transform plastic waste into new materials without changing their chemical structures. Chemical Recycling Chemical recycling is a fairly new process that refers to recycling plastic through technologies that use heat, chemical reactions, or both, to break down plastic waste into raw materials for new plastic, fuel, or other chemicals. There are three different processes of chemical recycling, including: Pyrolisis – this is a process in which polymers are heated in the absence of oxygen. Polymers break down into smaller parts and behave like a type of oil that can then be used for the manufacture of chemicals, synthetic rubber, and a variety of plastics. Gasification – this is a process that involves heating up polymers in the presence of oxygen and water to form a mixture of gases referred to as ‘syngas’ that can then be used in the chemical industry. Depolymerisation – this is a process that is only possible for certain types of plastic. During this process, polymers are cut down into monomers which can then be fed back into plastic production as a starting material. Energy Recycling Energy recycling consists of converting plastic waste into both thermal and electric energy by leveraging the heat power released by these materials in the form of fuel through incineration. Many incineration plants for energy recycling now use catalysers to withhold emissions, making them more environmentally friendly. At Rayda we stay aware of the environmental impact of the materials we use and incorporate recycled products as much as we can. If you have any questions about what was talked about in this blog, or any other plastic enquiries, please contact us today and a member of our team will be happy to help.

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