Have you noticed the small numbers inside triangles on plastic products? For consumers, these are just symbols. But for recycling professionals and industrial buyers, these numbers (Resin Identification Codes) are the key to determining profitability, equipment selection, and processing viability.
Understanding these 7 codes is crucial for setting up an efficient recycling line. At Rumtoo Machine, we help you match the right shredding technology to the right material. Let’s break down the plastic identification system from an industrial perspective.
Why This Matters for Your Plant
Not all plastics can be processed by the same machine. Feeding HDPE-pippen into a machine designed for LDPE film can cause jams or damage. Knowing your feedstock ensures you choose the correct Industriële shredder.
The 7 Plastic Resin Codes: A Recycler’s Guide
Below is a detailed breakdown of each plastic type, its common applications, and the recommended equipment for processing.
- Common Waste: Water bottles, food trays, salad dressing containers.
- Recycled Into: Polyester fiber (clothing), carpet, strapping.
Recommended: PET Bottle Washing Line
- Common Waste: Milk jugs, shampoo bottles, rigid pipes, drums.
- Recycled Into: Lumber, floor tiles, drainage pipes, pens.
Recommended: Heavy Duty HDPE Plastic Pipe Shredder
- Common Waste: Pipes, cables, window profiles, medical tubing.
- Recycled Into: Flooring, cables, mudflaps.
- Common Waste: Shopping bags, shrink wrap, squeezable bottles.
- Recycled Into: Garbage liners, compost bins, lumber.
Recommended: Zachte Materiaal Een Schacht Scheurder designed for films.
- Common Waste: Car bumpers, bottle caps, battery cases.
- Recycled Into: Auto parts, battery cables, brooms.
- Common Waste: Foam cups, egg cartons, packing peanuts.
- Recycled Into: Insulation, molding.
- Common Waste: Nylon, fiberglass, large water jugs (PC).
- Recycled Into: Custom plastic lumber, benches.
Industrial FAQ: Optimizing Your Sorting Line
A: Handling mixed streams requires a combination of automated sorting (optical sorters) and versatile size reduction. A Shear type double shaft shredder is often the best first step to break down mixed bales before fine sorting.
A: Contamination (paper, glue, food) drastically reduces resale value. Investing in a high-performance washing line alongside your crusher is essential for profitability, especially for PET and HDPE.
A: Use a Enkele as shredder for precise, uniform particle size (ideal for granulation). Use a Double Shaft Shredder for high-volume shearing of bulky items or mixed waste where uniform size is less critical initially.
A: Yes. Our Hard Material Single Shaft Shredders are equipped with specialized rotors and high-strength blades specifically designed to process tough materials like lumps, purgings, and nylon without stalling.
Ready to Upgrade Your Recycling Capability?
Whether you are processing soft LDPE films or rigid HDPE pipes, selecting the right machine is the difference between profit and downtime.
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