How to Recycle Industrial Plastic Resin Waste
Manufacturing waste plastics including injection molding runners, thermoforming trim, blown film waste, and off-spec resin. Contains valuable thermoplastics worth $0.10-0.80 per pound when clean and properly segregated. US manufacturing generates 5+ billion pounds annually with mechanical and chemical recycling achieving 70%+ material recovery.
- 1Sort plastics by resin type using resin identification codes
- 2Remove all contamination including labels, adhesives, and other materials
- 3Separate by color - clear and natural plastics command highest value
- 4Clean parts using appropriate solvents or detergents to remove processing aids
- 5Remove metal inserts, fasteners, and non-plastic components
- 6Grind or pelletize oversized parts to facilitate processing
- 7Store in weather-protected areas to prevent UV degradation
- 8Keep different plastic types strictly separated to maintain purity
- 9Document plastic specifications including grade, manufacturer, and additives
- Plastic reclaimers and reprocessors (KW Plastics, Custom Polymers)
- Resin manufacturers with take-back programs (Dow, SABIC, LyondellBasell)
- Injection molding and extrusion companies
- Plastic brokers and traders specializing in industrial waste
- Chemical recycling facilities for mixed plastics
- Waste-to-energy facilities for non-recyclable thermosets
Thermoset plastics (epoxy, polyurethane) are not mechanically recyclable - these require specialized chemical recycling or disposal. PVC requires separation from other plastics due to chlorine contamination risks. Some flame-retardant plastics contain hazardous brominated compounds requiring special handling.
Plastic waste persists 400+ years in environment, breaking down into microplastics contaminating food chains. Manufacturing generates 300 million tons globally with <10% recycling rates. However, post-industrial plastic recycling achieves 70% recovery, preventing 3.5 billion pounds annually from landfills while reducing virgin plastic production energy by 88%.
Accepted
- Clean injection molding runners and sprues
- Thermoforming trim and edge waste
- Blown film and sheet manufacturing trim
- Off-specification resin and pellets
- Clean plastic packaging materials
- Single-polymer plastic parts and components
Not Accepted
- Thermoset plastics (cannot be remelted)
- Multi-layer films and laminates
- Heavily contaminated plastics with oils or chemicals
- Mixed plastic waste of unknown composition
- Plastic containing metal inserts or composites
- Degraded plastics showing UV damage or brittleness
Estimated value: $0.10-0.80 per pound depending on resin type and cleanliness; clear PET: $0.60-0.80/lb, clean PP: $0.30-0.50/lb
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
- Flame retardants (PBDE, HBCD) in electronics plastics
- Plasticizers (phthalates) in flexible PVC
- Heavy metal colorants in older plastic formulations
- Volatile organic compounds from processing aids
- Residual monomers in freshly produced plastics
How do I identify different plastic types for recycling?
Check resin identification codes (1-7), perform density tests (PP floats, PET sinks), or burn tests (different plastics have characteristic odors and flame colors). When uncertain, professional analysis may be needed.
Can colored plastics be recycled with clear plastics?
No, colors contaminate clear plastics reducing value significantly. Sort by color within each resin type. Clear and natural plastics command premium prices, while dark colors have lower value.
What contaminants prevent plastic recycling?
Labels, adhesives, metal inserts, oil contamination, mixed plastic types, and thermoset materials. Even small amounts of PVC can contaminate other plastics during processing.
Are degraded or weathered plastics recyclable?
Depends on degree of degradation. UV-damaged plastics may be brittle and have reduced value. Severely degraded plastics may only be suitable for low-grade applications or energy recovery.
Can manufacturing waste be directly reused vs. recycled?
Yes, clean runners and trim can often be reground and reused directly at 5-15% ratios. This provides highest value and lowest environmental impact compared to external recycling.
What's the difference between mechanical and chemical recycling?
Mechanical recycling melts and reforms plastic into new products. Chemical recycling breaks plastic down to molecular level, enabling infinite recycling but at higher cost and energy use.
How does plastic recycling pricing fluctuate?
Prices follow oil markets (virgin plastic pricing), demand from manufacturers, and contamination levels. Clean, single-polymer waste maintains more stable pricing than mixed materials.
Are there regulations for industrial plastic waste?
Generally not hazardous waste unless contaminated. However, export regulations may apply for international shipments, and some states have producer responsibility requirements.