All soft plastics like plastic bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, plastic wrappers of products such as biscuits & chips, cling film, etc. That is why it is so great that in Australia, companies are progressively adopting the. Most of the water evaporates through a fermentation process in which microorganisms break down the organic material and rel… Copyright 2020 Dienamics. When deciding what plastic to use for your product or part, it’s important to be conscious of your impact on the environment. The plastic is ground into chips or flakes and washed to remove labels or residue. The production of new plastic products requires oil, gas and coal, and emits greenhouse gases which contributes to climate change. Type of plastic: Polypropylene We will bring you positive stories over the next few weeks, including more on the Australasian Recycling logo and who is using recycled plastics. HDPE The varying recycling codes on plastics can be confusing. Australian Made Recycled-Plastic Products Replas is proud that all waste materials are collected within Australia. Not only is our equipment the most advanced in Australia, our expertise in operating that equipment in a cost … 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. Hollow chocolate Easter Eggs are roto-moulded, and so are kayaks, water tanks and hollow kids’ toys. [Infographic] How Does Blow Moulding Work? However, you will need to check with your Local Authority to ensure it is recycled in your area. 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. This sheeting is manufactured in Australia (Carrum Downs, Victoria) in a range of colours, in smooth or textured surface finish. Banknotes 7. The case is made of #5 plastic, also known as polypropylene (PP). the momentum appears to be growing. 4 Alternative Materials to Plastics in 2019. 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.. For recycling to work it is essential that the people who produce plastic waste take responsibility for the life cycle of the material. Try to imagine the design process without it – it’s impossible! Go one step further, and ask your favourite shops to make this change. Plastic Recycling Every day, Australians buy and use products that are made of plastic. Like all good tools, its power lies in its simplicity. Type of plastic: High Density Polyethylene It’s important to be aware that great things are happening. 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. General uses: Yoghurt containers and margarine/ butter containers. 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℃. Acrylonitrile is highly process able and glossy. 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. Some are more rigid than others, some are better moisture and oxygen barriers, and there can be vastly different temperature tolerances. Now that the two major supermarkets have banned single-use plastic bags (hats off to Woolworths and Coles!) 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. PET 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. Team Timbuktu is a … There’s always going to be a trade-off when it comes to strength, heat resistance, flexibility, finish, and most importantly, cost. That is the bad news. Consider using a plastic type that is recyclable. Its seeds and flowers are mostly used in nutraceuticals, however the stalks and fibers can be used in construction materials, paper, biofuel, and clothing. Reusable containers 9. General uses: Milk and cream bottles, shampoo bottles, cleaning products. Ketchup bottles 5. LDPE Nearly all types of plastics can be recycled, however the extent to which they are recycled depends upon technical, economic and logistic factors. Carpet fibers 3. Local reprocessing was flat from 2015–16, with export for reprocessing falling by 20 per cent. […], Polyoxymethylene (POM), usually referred to as Acetal, is a widely used engineering plastic. For every application, a special and specific manufacturing process is required so that each part can be moulded based on its specifications. 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. Typically they have higher oil and solvent resistance, along with greater abrasion and tear resistance. Just a quick reminder: do not throw them in your recycling bin. For recycling purposes, plastic is divided into seven distinct families. 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. 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. There are many different types of pallets, with wood and plastic being the most common. As a result, most councils in Australia rarely accept EPS foam for kerbside recycling. But this has had some positive impacts. Oops, there was an error sending your message. Clear film packaging 2. PP can be recycled. 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. 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. Recycled plastic items are initially sorted into different types of plastic. PP’s resin identification code is 5, and it is recyclable. Of the 415 200 tonnes of plastics collected for recycling, 180 100 tonnes (43.4 per cent) was reprocessed in Australia and 235 100 tonnes (56.6% per cent) was exported for reprocessing. Type of plastic: OTHER Can be recycled into fibers. Type of plastic: Low Density Polyethylene Polypropylene, abbreviated as PP, is a recyclable thermoplastic polymer widely used in many different products. 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. 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. The best way […], Blow moulding products all have one thing in common: they are hollow and in one piece. Follow the journey from recycling bin to finished product, Get involved! HEMP BIO-PLASTICS – Plastics Fail or Future? 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. Although the usability across the industry is still limited, it is indicative of the growing movement towards alternative plastics. 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. Polypropylene is an extremely versatile material and can be used for a wide range of applications. Get the latest news from Dienamics into your inbox, $12 Outdoor Plastic Chair off Gumtree Not as Mechanically Sound as First Thought Local father figure, and little league coach, Bryan Walters (42) returned home yesterday after a day in the sun to sit down and enjoy a cold-one on his newly renovated outdoor patio. 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. The process shreds the waste and the organic wastes are stabilised and homogenised. PET (Soft drink bottles) 2. 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. 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 […], 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. People are favoring it as a good production material for its fast-growing ability and environmental sustainability. 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. There are very few plants worldwide that can process 442 materials. 2. Compostable. Australians throw out 3.5 million tonnes of plastic each year, but currently only around 10 per cent of it is recycled. This means more than 600,000 tonnes of plastic packaging – out of 900,000 tonnes used – was not recycled last year. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Much to Mr. Walters’ dismay, the bargain lawn chair he […], Look around you, how many electronic devices can you see? 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. Stay tuned! Plastic bags need to go to REDcyle or in your red bin if you have to. Sign up here to get the latest news delivered directly to your inbox. 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. sadly wrong. 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. PP is tough yet flexible, being classed as semi-rigid. More importantly, by using proper disposal methods and recycling PPE bags, a business can significantly reduce operating costs and improve environmental performance. Type of plastic: Expanded Polystyrene WPS The machines are 90 tonne and 160 tonne. Labeling 6. An Ultrasonic welder is a machine that uses kinetic energy from vibrations to heat and melt plastic together. Our ultimate goal is to become a market leader in converting plastic scrap into recycled products. Stationary 8. Characteristics: Hard, rigid plastic, may be clear. 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. PS plastic is commonly used in a variety of consumer product applications and is also particularly useful for commercial packaging. However, few people really know the history of the plastic bag, even though it is so prevalent in our […]. With increased exposure we are fast coming to the forefront of plastic recycling in Australia. Current recycling sorting facilities aren’t equipped to sort these softer types of plastic and they can get caught in equipment. How Can You Cut Down On Plastic Waste In Manufacturing? 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. The truth is that you can’t have one without the other. If you’re interested in manufacturing a plastic part, one […], More than 300 million tons of plastics are now being produced every year. Characteristics: Hard but still flexible plastic. Clean Up Australia Day Sponsors & Partners, Buy Recycled Partners and Industry Leaders, Buy a raffle ticket for Clean Up Australia, Due to restrictions around travel and outdoor non-essential gatherings, we have taken precautionary measures. Its primary claim to fame is its use in mechanical parts. Today, we will look at one the one I like to think of as the most underappreciated, Blow Moulding. Updated May 09, 2019. Characteristics: Clear, glassy, rigid, brittle plastic. PS 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). In this article, we’ll cover the differences from regular plastic extrusion and the benefits and disadvantages to Plastic Co-extrusion. 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. Furthermore, it is translucent and has an integral hinge property.PP has a wide range of uses, including: 1. Take away tubs 4. We have recycled thousands of kilograms of plastic waste into new plastic products such as all purpose garden pots, PVC hoses and plastic resin. 4 – LDPE Low-density Polyethylene Used for many different kinds of wrapping, grocery bags and sandwich bags and can be recycled into more of the same. The list goes on. These can be repurposed by many other industries. 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. V or PVC (Vinyl) Plastic #3 is used to make food wrap, plumbing pipes, and detergent bottles, and is … 4. The good news is that this has been improving. It’s a cost effective and quick method of moulding, but that doesn’t mean it’s not without its disadvantages. Over the last year, AT&T has been making headway in the field of sustainability, from accessory packaging made from 30 per cent plant-based materials, to creating a consumer-focused sustainability website, called EcoSpace, where customers can recycle […], Every product you see at any store was probably delivered on a pallet. 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. P&G’s technology solves polypropylene’s smell problem. 6 – PS – Polystyrene In Australia, most councils only accept codes 1, 2 and 5. Here are the eight most important types of plastic […], Few things are as ubiquitous as the plastic bag. Here’s a list of the plastics that can be easily recycled at home in your council recycling service. How will you Step Up? 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. Impact strength, low compression set and superior load bearing capacity are also […], ABS is purpose built to be easy, cheap, stiff and tough, all while being capable of displaying great surface finishes and colours. 3. But sadly, only 22% of Australians know they can recycle their soft plastics - that's criminal! MBT plants are in various stages of development in Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney. Type of plastic: Polyvinyl Chloride Another great success story is our soft plastics recycling system with REDcycle. Read more here. […], In our current manufacturing environment, plastics are being used to create everything from vehicle parts to buttons on clothing and even human body parts. All plastic containers can be recycled including plastic fruit punnets and takeaway containers. PP What Makes Up A VHS Tape? Plastic picnic ware 6. Whether you’re moving or plan on opening a store, you can use plastic […], Plastic injection moulding is a booming industry. In plastics, extrusion creates long strips […], Polycarbonate is a naturally transparent amorphous thermoplastic. Plastic Straws 3. Australian plastic recycling plants directory - showing companies in Australia that process … Characteristics: Very common plastic, usually white or coloured. Trying to figure out what plastics can and can’t be recycled? General uses: Packaging, meat trays, hot drink cups, foam packing ‘peanuts’. Plastic trays such as meat trays or soft food trays differ across councils. Characteristics & Uses: Includes all other plastics, such as acrylic and nylon. 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. [Infographic] The Plastic Packaging Cheat Sheet. 5 – PP – Polypropylene Clothing, bottles, tubs and ropes. 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. General uses: Clear cordial and juice bottles. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) HDPE plastic is the stiff plastic used to make milk jugs, detergent … This regrind is a major step in any plastics recycling scheme. Are happening journey from recycling bin recycling codes on plastics can be different... Your choice are the eight most important types of plastic each year, but currently around. 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