The specifications shown here
provide a general guide for plastic bottles and polythene
film. There are no formal agreed specifications for either
form of plastic. The plastic bottle specifications have
been drawn up by Recoup, an industry and local authority
supported organisation, in consultation with the plastics
industry.
Two main types of plastic film are traded within the
UK and most of the film is exported for processing,
especially to China. While hand sorting and processing
is carried out overseas and some contaminated material
is recycled, the general principle for plastic film
recycling is that the material should be as clean and
contaminant free as possible.
Material is usually required baled in various grades
including natural and jazz ; weights are either light
or heavy; and in various grades of contamination from
little through to heavily contaminated.
Bale Dimensions, Weight & Presentation
Reprocessors will normally only accept material in
baled form. Preferred bale dimensions are 1.1m long
with a cross-section of 1m x 0.8m.
Bales should be compacted to a density which ensures
safe stacking, loading and transport and which allows
for separation of the bales once the bale strapping
is removed. There is some variation in bale weights
depending on the polymer type being baled. Based on
the specified bale dimensions, bales should weigh between
200 kg and 325 kg. There are limitations to the maximum
bale densities that some reprocessing operations can
accept.
Only plastic bottle materials shall be baled. Other
materials such as cardboard end pieces or plastic film
wrapping should not be used.
Based on the preferred dimensions, the recommended
strapping procedure is for bales to be tied off using
a minimum of four separate straps.
Storage
Bales may be stored externally. Bales should be sited
on hard standing and in a location where contamination
from dirt, oil and dust is avoided. If the storage
area has a poor surface, then bales stacked on pallets
will avoid excessive contamination. Where pallets are
used, the supplier should note that the weights of
these will be deducted from loads and the additional
handling requirements for the reprocessor may limit
the value of the material to some markets.
Further plastic bottle recycling information from
Recoup: enquiry@recoup.org
