Bags to pack stretch waste. How plastic bags are recycled. How to compactly fold plastic bags

Polyethylene granules

Polyethylene is organic compound, which is a polymer (a substance with a large molecular weight, consisting of long macromolecules) of ethylene (a flammable, colorless gas with a slight odor). Formed as a result of the polymerization of ethylene. Occupies the largest share among plastics. Industrial production of polyethylene began in the middle of the 20th century. Often people try to hand over polyethylene by mistake, confusing it with polyethylene rephthalate (PET). However, these are different substances, and the processes for their disposal or processing occur in different ways. They are also taken separately.

And polyethylene is often confused with cellophane, not realizing that these are completely different substances. Cellophane is a wood pulp processing product.

Products made of polyethylene are familiar to everyone. Their number is very large, and is constantly growing, because this material is quite cheap, easy to use and has many applications. And if you hand over polyethylene waste for processing, then you can get secondary raw materials from them.

Varieties of polyethylene

Types of polyethylene materials There are quite a few varieties of polyethylene. Moreover, despite the fact that the same basic material serves as the basis for their production (namely, polyethylene granules 2-5 mm in size), each variety has its own special qualities and they are all considered completely different substances. But the processing of polyethylene is the same, regardless of its type.

It is customary to allocate different kinds polyethylene based on its density.

High pressure polyethylene (LDPE)

Bags made from PVD

It is also commonly referred to as low density polyethylene. Obtained by the polymerization of ethylene using a tubular reactor or autoclave.

Low pressure polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE pipes

It is also commonly referred to as high density polyethylene. It is produced using three technologies: gas-phase, suspension and solution.

Medium Density Polyethylene (PSD)

Packages from PSD

PSD is obtained by mixing LDPE and HDPE in certain proportions.

Linear high-pressure polyethylene (LDPE)

Soft and elastic material obtained by the most complex polymerization method.

Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX)

It has a high molecular weight. PEX is obtained from HDPE by cross-linking its molecules with ionizing radiation at elevated pressure.

Foamed polyethylene (polyethylene foam, PP)

Foamed PP polyethylene products are obtained using a foaming technology with a special mixture.

Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSP)

High elasticity material. CSP is obtained by reacting polyethylene with chlorine and sulfur dioxide.

Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)

Super strong material. UHMP is produced at low pressure with a high degree of polymerization.

The use of polyethylene and its properties

The main product of LDPE is canisters of various volumes

LDPE

PVD is characterized by increased plasticity, high level fluidity in the melt, as well as low tensile strength.

LDPE is the most common packaging material. It is used to make bags, film for wrapping. PVD products are glossy, do not rustle, have a beautiful appearance.

Recycling plastic bags allows you to reuse the material.

HDPE

Sufficiently rigid product, has a density of 0.95 g/cm³ (or higher). It has good strength, slightly elongates at break. Resistant to low temperatures (withstands frost down to -50°C). Does not pass moisture, resistant to fats and oils. It does not emit toxic substances, therefore it is safe for humans.

LDPE is mainly used to make canisters, garbage containers, solvent containers, etc.

PSD

It has good resistance to breakage or impact, cracking and scratching. The characteristics are similar to HDPE.

Shopping bags, bags, shrink and ordinary films, screw caps, etc. are made from PSD. Since all this is common in the household, the question often arises - where to donate polyethylene? For this, there are reception points or just special containers.

LPLD

It is similar in properties to HDPE, but has the highest physico-chemical parameters. Resistant to puncture, tolerates both high and low temperatures.

A thinner film can be obtained from LDPE than from HDPE. Packaging films, film for lamination, etc. - this is the main area of ​​application of LDPE, although it is gradually replacing LDPE. HDPE films can be used for hot food packaging.

PEX

Water pipes from PEX

Differs in the high durability and heat resistance, does not spread when heated.

Scope of application of cross-linked polyethylene - pipes and various details for water supply, heating, pipelines.

PP

Properties of polyethylene of this type: characterized by a smooth surface, has a finely porous structure, good elasticity and resilience. It has excellent biological and chemical resistance. Durable. Weakly absorbs moisture and conducts heat poorly. Ecologicaly clean. Safe for humans.

It is mainly used in construction (for thermal insulation and other needs).

HSP

The properties of CSP resemble rubber. Has the ability to vulcanize. It has high chemical and atmospheric resistance, tolerates high temperatures well. It is unaffected by alkalis, acids and strong hardeners.

Paints and varnishes, adhesives, sealants are made from CSP.

SVMP

UHMP is a very durable material designed for use in extreme conditions. It has high frost resistance, resistant to shock, friction, corrosion, abrasives.

The scope of application is very wide. UHMW is good wherever heavy-duty fibers are required (medical materials, sports equipment, armor protection, protective coating for any structures and elements).

Equipment for polyethylene processing

Right now in Russian cities There are many places where you can donate polyethylene quickly and easily. Many companies buy it in order to send it to processing plants. You can also equip your own processing line. Such a line, when fully equipped, includes the following equipment:

• washing machine;
• crusher;
• centrifuge;
• drying unit;
• agglomerator;
• granulator;
• extruder.

The pneumatic conveyor, as well as the conveyor, will help to increase the efficiency of the workflow - with their help, the supply of raw materials is accelerated and improved.

The key processing device is the agglomerator. It is he who, when exposed to high temperature, forms secondary raw materials from polyethylene waste - agglomerate. Subsequently, finished products are produced from the agglomerate.

The granulator can be part of the processing line, but in some cases you can do without it.

Polyethylene is recycled by burning it. The main disadvantage of this technique is the toxic substances released during the combustion process. We have to apply increased security measures to avoid environmental pollution.

Recycled polyethylene products

Plastic trash bags are a by-product

Instead of recycling plastic bags and other products made from this material by incineration, it is much more profitable and efficient to send them for recycling. The features of this process are:

for the first time, you can recycle polyethylene products without any restrictions. But the number of subsequent processing is limited by certain conditions, because the quality of the material begins to gradually decline. It is possible to produce any products from polyethylene recycled several times only if the requirements for these products are significantly reduced.

Various companies accept film and other materials from polyethylene, planning to make money on it, but we must not forget that the quality of the material decreases not only due to multiple recycling cycles. The deterioration of the properties of polyethylene products is also affected by exposure to direct sunlight, temperature fluctuations, as well as some other operating conditions.

It is worth considering such a feature: products recycled from polyethylene (for example, bags) may not be too inferior in their parameters to primary ones, but at the same time they can be bought at a very attractive price.

Recycling of bags and other polyethylene products is carried out according to the following scheme:

• sorting;
• washing;
• splitting up;
• centrifugation;
• washing again;
• drying;
• heat treatment.

Polyethylene collection points (80 cities)

Video: Polyethylene recycling plant

Every year, millions of plastic bags are used and thrown away in Moscow. It turns out that some of them are successfully processed. Today we will go to such an enterprise and find out how polyethylene is prepared for reuse.

The Moscow region company "Expert Vtor" does not process all types of plastic bags, but only film, bags, bags, defective stretch film production (the so-called shrink film) and LDPE.

LDPE is high pressure polyethylene or, as it is also called, low density polyethylene. LDPE waste can be generated during the direct production of polyethylene film. A lot of waste - in stores (packaging of bottles, boxes, boxes), glass factories (from packaging of bottles, cans), distilleries and breweries (from packaging of containers or finished products).

Stretch film is a linear high-pressure polyethylene (LDPE). It can stretch a lot. Due to this property, as well as increased resistance to punctures and tearing, stretch film is used for packaging various goods, in particular on pallets (pallets). Stretch film waste is mainly generated and accumulated in warehouses of any value, at customs terminals, in logistics centers, etc.

Popular T-shirt bags made of HDPE (low pressure polyethylene) and “biodegradable” bags, which can be found, for example, in Azbuka Vkusa, are not recycled by the company. Polypropylene film, PVC film, bubble film, polyamide film, LDPE+PP, LDPE+PA multi-layer films, and double-sided two-color films are also not suitable. Also, film contaminated with oils, fats, food waste and pesticides is not accepted.

The collected polyethylene first enters the warehouse. Up to 100 tons of film waste can be stored here, naturally in pressed form. At the first stage, the raw materials are carefully sorted. The stretch is separated from the LDPE, the types of films that are not processed by the enterprise's capacities are discarded.

After sorting, packages of a certain color are put into a crusher. In it, on V-shaped knives (this type is also called “dovetail”), the film is crushed to particles of uniform size. The knives are powered by an electric motor.

From the crusher, through the pneumatic conveyor, the so-called "crushed" gets into the sink. In it, with the addition of special cleaning solutions, the "crushed" is cleaned of dust and other non-plastic inclusions.

The next stage of processing is agglomeration. In it, the so-called "cooking" takes place. The operator loads clean "crushed" into the working chamber through the loading window.

The raw material enters the rotating rotor along the guides, is crushed by knives and due to friction against the body and between themselves is heated to the temperature of plasticization. In this case, the entire volume of loaded raw materials becomes similar to a mushy mass.

When the material becomes homogeneous, "shock" water is added to it, as a result of which the material is rapidly cooled and sintered into individual small irregularly shaped balls. For some more time, the agglomerate is dried at natural ambient temperature and unloaded into prepared containers to go to the final stage. The cooking process itself lasts from 5 to 10 minutes.

The process of granulation can be compared to scrolling minced meat through a meat grinder. Agglomerate, which we received at the previous stage, is loaded into the extruder hopper.

It is called so because the production of granules is based on the extrusion method - forcing the molten mass through a forming hole.

In general, the "mince" from the boiled bags is melted under the action of heaters and pressure created by a rotating screw. The polymer melt is forced through a filter into a rotating extruder head. So-called threads are already coming out of it. To cool them, they are passed through a water hose, and then into knives, where they are cut into homogeneous granules.

The granules are packaged in clean polypropylene bags, approximately 50 kg each. Special storage conditions are not required, but it is desirable that it be a dry room. The resulting granules, depending on the composition and color, are sold. Natural color stretch granule goes to the production of secondary stretch.

The natural color LDPE granule is used for the production of secondary shrink or technical film. Colored LDPE granules are mainly used for the production of garbage bags.

Click the button to subscribe to How It's Made!

If you have a production or service that you want to tell our readers about, write to Aslan ( [email protected] ) and we will make the best report, which will be seen not only by readers of the community, but also by the site How it's done

Subscribe also to our groups in facebook, vkontakte,classmates and in google+plus, where the most interesting things from the community will be posted, plus materials that are not here and a video about how things work in our world.

Click on the icon and subscribe!

Good day, brain! Plastic recycling is topical issue and this brainguide is one of the answers to it.

Plastic bags are so widespread that they have become one of the elements of littering our space, and the planet as a whole. But not everything is so sad, because you can do it yourself at home, recycle them into sheets of plastic that are useful for your homemade products.

Step 1: Get familiar with the process

Step 2: Materials and Tools

• Plastic bags (HDPE)
• Baking parchment
• baking sheet
• Scissors
• Oven

Step 3: Prepare Packages

To begin with, we accumulate a large number of packages, I have accumulated about 64 pieces, and as we accumulate, we wash and dry them.

Please note that for the process described in this brainguide, HDPE bags are needed, low density LDPE will also work, but it has more low temperature melting. Coloring and logos on the packages do not play a role, the main thing is the uniformity of the material, as indicated by the marking.

Step 4: Slicing the bags

We cut dry and clean bags: we cut off the handles and the bottom, thereby we get polyethylene rings, which we also cut along one side. I decided not to use the sides of the bag with the logo, so I cut them off to get a single color. brain plastic.

Step 5: Seal 4 packs

We begin the process of soldering polyethylene sheets obtained earlier by cutting the packages. To do this, tear off a piece of parchment for baking a little larger than plastic sheets and spread it on a heat-resistant surface, for example, on plywood or OSB. We lay out a stack of 4 sheets of polyethylene on parchment, and cover with another piece of parchment on top.

Turn on the iron and set it to average temperature, and when it warms up, we start ironing a stack of polyethylene sheets from the middle to the edges. Well, we iron the sheets over the entire surface, then remove the top parchment and see how the sheets melted. If not very good, then again cover them with parchment and iron them, but at a higher temperature. If holes appear in the fused sheets, the temperature of the iron is too high and must be reduced.

Having selected the desired temperature, we iron the remaining packages in the same way, thereby making four-layer sheets, which we will later combine into thicker ones.

Step 6: Soldering Thicker Sheets

Now you need to solder four-layer sheets of polyethylene into thicker ones. way brain test and errors, I came to the conclusion that four-layer sheets are the most optimal. A smaller number of layers melts with the formation of holes, and a larger number is more difficult to solder.

Therefore, we take two four-layer sheets, place them between sheets of parchment and iron at a higher temperature, also from the middle to the edges. To make the process go better, when soldering, we carry out the iron with pressure. As a result, we get already eight-layer sheets of polyethylene.

In order to make sheets with a large number of layers, we put a four-layer polyethylene on an eight-layer polyethylene and iron it, etc. to the desired thickness of the plastic briquette. In this case, it is recommended to alternate the back and front sides for soldering, that is, turn over after the next soldering, thereby avoiding deformation of the briquettes.

From four-layer sheets, you can sew light raincoats and bags, from eight-layer coats or a bag. 12-layer sheets and more are suitable for creating backpacks and laptop bags. 24-layer polyethylene can be used to create models and crafts, and 64-layer for containers and more durable products.

Step 7: Baking the Polyethylene

To improve the quality of your multi-layer sheets, because sometimes they do not stick well or bubble, you can bake them in the oven. To do this, you need a baking sheet, and preferably two, the same parchment and a few bricks.

We spread parchment on one baking sheet, lay a multi-layered polyethylene on it. brain brick, on top of the polyethylene, another sheet of parchment and another baking sheet, on which we place a brick or two for weighting.

We put the resulting structure in the oven for half an hour with a temperature of 200 degrees Celsius. After the specified time, we take it out and be sure to let it cool, while not removing the bricks to avoid deformation.

When the structure cools down room temperature, remove the bricks, take out the baked polyethylene and check its edge. If it is completely soldered, solid, then the process was successful, if it is heterogeneous, there are non-soldered places, then you may have to repeat the process at a higher temperature, up to 230 degrees.

Step 8: Trimming the Edges

In the process of soldering, the edges of the polyethylene briquettes have lost their rectilinear shape, so we take scissors in our hands and give them the desired rectangle shape.

Step 9: Application

Now that the plastic bags are recycled, we turn on brain-building and create something useful out of briquettes. By the way, this recycled polyethylene can be used in vacuum forming and even for the manufacture of cores for a glue gun.
Good luck in creativity and clean space around you!

Due to its versatility, low cost and durability, plastic has found its application in all spheres of life. Today, plastic is the most common man-made material on the planet. He is also the first in the list of garbage. The amount of plastic waste on the planet is reaching epidemic proportions. Many scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs began to pay attention to this problem.

Industrial machines for recycling (recycling) plastic, as a rule, are very expensive and quite complex in design. And, let's face it, on an industrial scale, plastic recycling does not pay off. Because the production cycle raw material - plastic product"much shorter and cheaper than -" garbage - sorting - plastic product - recycling - cleaning - raw materials - plastic product". That is why not all cities in the world have factories for processing plastic waste. And their mass appearance is not expected in the near future.

It turns out that the niche plastic recycling at home open. And waiting for those who monetize it from any side. BUT common man don't need much. After all, the beauty of this niche is that junk plastic, in fact - garbage, lies under everyone's feet and is not needed by anyone. That is, excellent and durable material - for free! It remains to pick up, recycle, in one form or another, and reuse. And if you don't like the result, recycle it again!

Project " Precious Plastic» helps all consumers to give plastic waste new life. He invites everyone to process plastic on their own using household machines, the drawings of which are freely distributed on the Internet.

This project, developed by the Dutch designer Dave Hakkens, shows what can be done to help stop the plastic plague in environment.

Dave, preoccupied with the problem of plastic waste, found on the Internet drawings of several devices that allow you to somehow recycle plastic at home. Having collected the first samples, improved them, developed a modular concept for future devices, Hakkens created an international project " Precious Plastic". In which he invites everyone to assemble and use four simple but effective plastic recycling machines.

The use of devices allows you to extend the service life of various plastic household items by simply processing them into others. Unnecessary to necessary. Dishes, artificial rattan, various interior elements - this is a small list of items that can be made from household plastic waste using these machines.

Four devices, depending on the type and quality of plastic, allow you to process it in different ways:

• shredder or grinder - a device for grinding plastic waste into crumbs for further processing - heating;
• extruder or squeezer - a device that squeezes out a heated plastic mass in the form of a bundle or tape. That is, it turns out an artificial rattan or a consumable for a 3D printer.
• Injector or an injector - heats the polymer crumb to a plastic mass and injects it into the desired shape;
• Press- plastic crumb under the influence of pressure and high temperature is pressed into various new objects.

The most amazing part of the project Precious Plastic» what are unique cars distributed free of charge. More precisely, the drawings of the device and instructions for assembling them are available to everyone (there will be video instructions below). It remains only to assemble the cars and start making money on them.

How to make money recycling plastic at home? Recycling plastics and polymers at home!

Firstly. Recycling waste plastic into the right plastic products and selling them as unique handmade items. This is the simplest and most affordable solution.

Secondly. Entire creative labs and co-working spaces are being opened on the basis of Hackens machines. Where anyone can come with their plastic waste, pay money, and work on the machines.

Thirdly. Assistance in the assembly and implementation of devices. Not everyone can master device drawings. And, even more so, to collect them. But, they are ready to buy assembled similar machines. Why not take advantage of this? Moreover, ready-made devices are quite expensive. Assembly, with everything you need, will take no more than a month for any handy man in the garage.

Fourth. You definitely have your own ideas!

Video number 1: how to assemble a shredder for shredding plastic

Video number 2: how to assemble an extruder for plastic recycling

Video number 3: how to assemble an injector for plastic recycling

Video number 4: how to assemble a plastic recycling press

So, having studied the video, you can start assembling devices. For more convenient work, we suggest that you study the drawings on the official website of the project. In English.

If the devices are too complicated, you can look at an easy way to recycle plastic bottles at home.

Bonus: the simplest device for cutting plastic bottles

Appeared on Kickstarter new project « plastic bottle cutter", which gives consumers the opportunity to use plastic bottles again.

The simplest device (and you will see this by seeing the photo below) allows you to turn an ordinary plastic bottle into a plastic thread of various thicknesses that you can use at your discretion.

From this thread you can weave various objects - from small baskets to elegant furniture elements.

In general, single-use plastic bottles are a valuable resource due to the fact that plastic is used in their manufacture. highest quality. But, this advantage is not taken into account by most people and the bottles are simply thrown away. The rate of bottle throwing is increasing every day. Therefore, the problem of efficient reuse and recycling of these materials is simply necessary and mandatory. This will reduce the scale of environmental pollution.

The packages owe their existence to refined oil and natural gas.
They are highly durable, but also biodegradable. Not even 60 years have passed since the invention and popularization of the first bags, which means that none of them has yet undergone absolute biological decay in natural conditions.
Household packages that have lost their consumer properties and ended up in the natural environment create sustainable pollution of the entire ecosystem. When heated and burned, they release harmful substances, toxic to the entire ecological system.
The plastic bag can be recycled in an industrial environment, only separated from the contents.

Plastic bags.

Cellophane is a transparent fat and waterproof material made from viscose.
The environmental safety of cellophane is due to the high rate of its biological decomposition and the absence of plasticizers in the composition, and the glycerin contained in the composition is harmless to living organisms and, in general, to the environment. These qualities of cellophane revives interest in this type of packaging - when separated from dyes and impurities, it is completely processed by microorganisms and secondary processing is possible.

Oxo biodegradable bags.

In their production, the same polymer raw materials (crushed plastic bottles - flex PET) are used as in the manufacture of plastic bags, but with the addition of degraders. Additives artificially accelerate the process of biodegradation in the environment into carbon, water, trace elements and biomass under the influence of temperature, ultraviolet and oxygen. The decomposition period of oxo-biodegradable packaging is 1-3 years.
Impurities that reduce mechanical strength and contribute to the rapid decay of plastic make it impossible to recycle it in its pure form.

Hydro-biodegradable bags.

The basis for their manufacture are food crops - vegetable polymers obtained from food highly starchy crops such as beets, corn, wheat. They are distinguished by high environmental friendliness at all stages of operation, but low strength indicators and high resource costs in production.
The process of complete biological decomposition into carbon and water in 30-70 days, as a result of decomposition, biomass (compost) is formed.
A T-shirt type package is made from natural material; garbage bags and packing bags.

Paper bags. Kraft paper bags.

The raw material for their production is wood or waste paper. They have a short service life, thereby increasing their quantitative consumption and production costs for electricity and water.
The ideal scheme for optimizing production and environmental costs involves the integrated responsibility of the manufacturer and the buyer. Several recyclings of one paper bag are possible - wood is used to produce packaging material, which after the expiration date is recycled back into packaging.
At the same time, waste paper is recycled with lower energy costs, and paper, having completed its consumer cycle, decomposes in the soil by microorganisms.

Reusable polyester bags.

Sewn from synthetic artificial material obtained from polymeric recycled waste (secondary plastic). Completely eliminate the need to purchase plastic bags. With daily use, one such bag will last from three to five years and replace several thousand bags.
Polyester products are included in the list of materials permitted by the State Sanitary Inspection of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation for contact with food products, non-toxic when burned and decomposed.
Polyester bags are recommended for recycling.

Textile bags.

Made from fibers plant origin- jute, cotton, flax, bamboo or recycled materials.
Eco-bags have become not just impersonal shopping containers, but an independent part of the wardrobe.
After completing their cycle of consumption, bags decompose into non-toxic substances.

Each of us can improve the situation with the environment, we just need to be careful about our own garbage and throw it into separate containers for solid waste.