CLASSIFICATION OF PLASTICS
In this short text, we show information about the recycling process and the correct classification of the various plastic materials to be recycled
RECYCLING
Recycling is a process whose objective is to convert waste into new products or raw material for later use.
Thanks to recycling, the disuse of potentially useful materials is prevented, the consumption of new raw material is reduced, in addition to reducing the use of energy, air pollution (through incineration) and water (through landfills) , as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to the production of plastics.
Recycling is a key component in contemporary waste reduction and is the third component of the 3Rs (“Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle”).
WHY QUALITY?
Production stoppages and product rejection work against profitability. One option to avoid them is to invest in testing, monitoring and control. A contaminant is that unwanted composition in a raw material or finished product. GERTIMA catalogs PVC, LOW MELT (low melting), METAL, STONE, MULTILAYER.
Ecological alternatives
- Returnability
- Grinding reuse
- Fibers
- Polyols for polyurethanes
- Unsaturated polyesters
- Non-food packaging
- Alcoholysis / Methanolysis
- Incineration
About PVC
PVC is a versatile material but with high temperatures it degrades and produces HCl which makes it undesirable in the process.
PLASTICS AND THEIR NUMBER
Polyethylene PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
In most bottles, difficult to decontaminate; cleaning removes harmful chemicals. Leaching of possible carcinogenic elements such as DEHA. Easy recycling.
High Density Polyethylene HDPE
It is found in detergent bottles, milk and oils, and toys and plastic bags. It is considered safe although its use must be limited by its long period of degradability of hundreds of years
Polyvinyl PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
En las bandejas de comida, botellas de aceite, en juguetes y embalajes. Produce toxinas en su fabricación y hasta su eliminación: BSFENOL-A, PTALATES. Evite su uso en microondas y en niños. Se considera uno de los más peligrosos.
Low Density Polyethylene HDPE
In packaging, dry cleaning covers, bags and bottles. It is considered less toxic than the others and is easily recyclable.
Polypropylene PP
In stoppers, diapers, disposables, rugs, carpets, food containers, yogurts, margarines. It is considered one of the safest. Easily recyclable
Polystyrene PS
In cutlery, packaging, food trays, it can leach into the food. Toxic and dangerous. Its use is prohibited in the USA. Not easily recycled
Others
Lexan type, Polycarbonates, BPA, etc. Usually referred to as a mixture. Sometimes it can be dangerous. Difficult assessment due to indeterminate mixture of compounds.
PET. Trademarks
The commercial brands of soft drinks such as Fresca, Sprite, Seven Up, Squirt, Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sidral Mundet, Bottled Beverages,
HDPE. High density polyethylene; Trademarks
Fabric softeners like Suavitel, Downy, Ensueño, and bathroom and kitchen cleaners contain HDPE.
PP. Polypropylene
Polypropylene is found in bottles of juices, milk, flavored waters, butters and cheeses.
Polystyrene (Unicel)
The “Styrofoam” is found in various fruit and food containers, as well as in coolers, plates and glasses.
PVC
Labels still play an important factor in defining the type of material in the container to be recovered.
