Difference between revisions of "How to recycle plastics"
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=Overview= | =Overview= | ||
| − | Various methods for recycling plastics as we learn about them. | + | Various methods for [[recycling]] plastics as we learn about them. |
==Float sorting== | ==Float sorting== | ||
# Shred the plastic bottles, caps and all. | # Shred the plastic bottles, caps and all. | ||
# Dump into a hot water bath | # Dump into a hot water bath | ||
| − | #* this both cleans and sorts because the caps are made from | + | #* this both cleans and sorts because the caps are made from HDPE, which floats, and the PET the bottle is made from sinks |
| − | # Skim the HDPE off the top and store | + | # Skim the HDPE off the top and store separately |
# Remove the remaining plastic from the bottom of the hot water bath | # Remove the remaining plastic from the bottom of the hot water bath | ||
#* this should be PET plastic and labeling | #* this should be PET plastic and labeling | ||
| − | # Take the PET and labeling mix and put into another water bath containing caustic soda ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_hydroxide|sodium hydroxide] or lye) | + | # Take the PET and labeling mix and put into another water bath containing caustic soda ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_hydroxide| sodium hydroxide] or lye) |
#* this removes the labeling which then floats to the top | #* this removes the labeling which then floats to the top | ||
# Skim off the labeling | # Skim off the labeling | ||
Latest revision as of 12:33, 10 October 2018
Overview
Various methods for recycling plastics as we learn about them.
Float sorting
- Shred the plastic bottles, caps and all.
- Dump into a hot water bath
- this both cleans and sorts because the caps are made from HDPE, which floats, and the PET the bottle is made from sinks
- Skim the HDPE off the top and store separately
- Remove the remaining plastic from the bottom of the hot water bath
- this should be PET plastic and labeling
- Take the PET and labeling mix and put into another water bath containing caustic soda (sodium hydroxide or lye)
- this removes the labeling which then floats to the top
- Skim off the labeling
- Remove and rinse the now clean plastic
- rinsing cleans off the caustic soda
- Dry the plastic
