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What Does Recycling Mean

 

Recycling is the process of taking and processing materials that do not have the characteristics of products that are no longer used and recycling them as raw materials. In another definition; Recycling is the recycling of wastes that can be recycled through various physical and / or chemical processes and converted into secondary raw materials. Thanks to this process, the need for raw material decreases because the raw material used is not unlimited and may run out someday. The world and the environment become more livable as well as beneficial wastes are utilized in the most beautiful ways, making a great contribution to the prevention of environmental pollution.

 

Purpose in recycling; It should be considered as preventing the unnecessary use of resources and reducing the amount of waste garbage by separating the wastes at the source. Recycling and reuse of materials such as iron, steel, copper, lead, paper, plastic, rubber, glass, electronic waste will prevent the exhaustion of natural resources. This situation; In order to meet the needs of countries, it will also decrease the amount of foreign currency paid to imported scrap material and will save a great deal of energy.

Recyclable Materials Iron • Steel • Copper • Aluminum • Lead • Batteries • Paper • Plastic • Rubber • Glass • Engine oils • Waste oils • Accumulators • Vehicle tires • Concrete • X-ray films • Electronic waste • Organic waste

 

The importance of recycling: It protects our natural resources. It helps us save energy. It provides ease in garbage processes by reducing the amount of waste. Recycling helps us invest in the future and the economy.

 

Steps of the Recycling System

Separate collection at the source; It is possible to collect the wastes that can be evaluated by separating them from the source where they are formed without mixing with the garbage and allowing them to be contaminated. Thus, collecting such wastes separately from other garbage will not have to be washed separately by preventing pollution as well as saving time. Since this will prevent the washing of the Buddha again, water will be saved.

 

Classification; This process will ensure that the materials collected at the source are classified into classes on the basis of glass, metal plastic and paper. This classification will be evaluated, and it will be ensured that the litter is delivered to separate recycling facilities. The garbage collected at the source without classification will be transported to the main rubbish areas and separated in these regions and carried to recycling enterprises. Classification at source will save time, transportation and labor.

 

Evaluation; It is the process of recycling the cleanly separated used materials to the economy. In this process, the material changes chemically and physically and returns to the economy as a new material. 4. Bringing the new product to the economy; recycled product is available again.

 

Recycling in Plastics

 

When plastics are thrown into the nature as waste, their decomposition temperatures are high, they are resistant to ultraviolet rays, and they are resistant to bacteria in the nature, causing them to remain intact for a long time. For this reason, “recycling” is a social imperative because they pollute the environment. PE, PP, PVC, PS are consumed the most.

Therefore, there are many of them in the environment as waste. In nature, there is waste plastic as “manufacturing waste” and “city waste”. When the recovery of waste plastics is examined; It is seen that there are 4 kinds of paths:

1- Recycling to add waste to original plastics and obtain new plastic close to the original polymer. In this type of recycling, residual plastics from the machines and clean garbage plastics are used.

2- The second method of recovery is the process to obtain second quality goods instead of original plastic. After plastic is used and contaminated, that is, plastic residues in garbage are separated, cleaned and used by melting.

3- This type of recovery is also called chemical recovery process. The purpose of this process is to take the required monomer from waste plastics and to obtain new chemical polymers with different properties.

4- The fourth recovery process is to burn waste plastics and make use of their energy. This is a method that is insufficient because of the harm of human gases.

 

Plastic recycling: It is the process of “recycling of plastic waste materials that are out of use”. The gains from recycling of plastic materials are as follows;

1- The need for raw materials is reduced.

2- The consumption that occurs with the increase in the population is prevented from disturbing the natural balance.

3- Waste is prevented from polluting the environment.

4- Energy is saved by using waste instead of producing plastic from scratch.

 

The basis of plastics; crude oil, gas and coal. The main source of plastic in general is the residuals left over from the oil refinery. Only 4% of the total oil produced in the world is used for plastic production. Plastics do not rot, rust, dissolve, biodegradable when left in the trash and remain in nature for many years. Causes contamination of water and soil. It damages even the creatures in the waters and even causes their death. Plastic waste materials that are out of use only disappear in 2000 years on land and 450 years at sea. Plastic recycling process is as follows;

1- First, plastic garbage wastes are collected and stacked.

2- These garbage wastes are separated roughly.

3- While being carried on a belt, it is separated from non-plastic materials by passing through a magnetic system.

4- These garbage wastes are put into the flotation tank and washed.

5- Washed plastics are dried and crushed in crushing machines

6- The broken plastic parts are granulated in agglomer machines. . Aglomer machines are used to recycle plastic film waste. Blades inside the boiler and rotating at high speed break the plastic film at high temperature. The gas / air inside is released. Plastic, which is then shocked with a small amount of water, becomes a reusable granule.

7- The recycled plastic is processed by re-extrusion or other ways, thereby gaining plastic production.

 

Plastic recycling, greenhouse cover, various parts in the automotive industry, plastic bag. marley, drain pipe, fiber and filling material. car spare parts, detergent bottles, trash cans and similar products, rainwater and waste water pipes, various plastic filling materials, various plastic toys and stationery materials are made.

 

Innovations in recycling technologies: Plastic recycling has made the process easier and more cost-effective. Such technologies include reliable plastic detectors and advanced decision and recognition software that collectively increase the productivity and accuracy of automatic plastic classification. For example, FT-NIR detectors can operate up to 8,000 hours between faults in detectors.

Another remarkable innovation in plastic recycling has been to find higher value applications for recycled polymers in closed loop recycling processes. For example, since 2005, PET sheets for thermoforming in the UK may contain 50-70 percent recycled PET using A / B / A sheet sheets.

Recently, some EU countries, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway and Austria, have begun collecting a limited number of post-consumer flexible packaging as well as solid packaging such as containers, tubs and trays. Due to the latest developments in washing and separation technologies, the recycling of bottled plastic packaging has become possible.

 

 

 

Recycling in Plastics
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Disposable Plastics

 

Simply put, disposable plastics are primarily manufactured from fossil fuel-based chemicals (petrochemicals) that need to be destroyed immediately after use - usually in just a few minutes. Disposable plastics are most commonly used for packaging and service purposes, such as bottles, packaging, straws and bags.

Disposable plastics and pollution : Although disposable plastic pollution accumulates most visibly on our streets, our water actually suffers even more. Garbage can be the first stage in a stream of waste that enters the waterways, while plastics thrown on the street are washed by rain or traveling through storm channels to rivers and streams. Our plastic Waterway Pollution focus specifically: only one river , the ocean to bear 93 percent of the total amount of plastic in the world entering the river each year.

Marine animals bear the burden of this litter flow on their habitats. Chopped whales , plastic trash filled found the stomach. And recent studies , tested 90 percent of seabirds and 100 percent of the turtles found in the intestines of plastic. Worryingly, scientists predict that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean. It is estimated that not only plastics that kill millions of sea animals and seabirds every year, but also marine products that people have trusted for thousands of years. with microplastic in the intestines.

Avoiding disposable plastics: Individual choices - and collective changes they bring together - are quickly collected. Making a simple swap, like buying a reusable water bottle, can damage the environment hundreds of plastic bottles every year . Here are a few tips to get rid of your life (and your community) of disposable plastics.

  • Always put a reusable bag when shopping. (And yes-again the case has better, plastic aside the recent claims for the environment.)

  • Cook more often to reduce your use of plastic heavy packaging containers.

  • Buy wholesale. Avoid individually packaged products, such as snack packs.

  • Though online purchasing sometimes has a lower carbon footprint than shopping in a store ( s express delivery mode , online shipments are still full of plastic if you can, option). Your best option to reduce your footprint and plastic waste? Walk, bike or use public transport to buy in person.

  • Avoid plastic wrap completely by storing residues in reusable containers. Try the reusable and combinable wax wrap for an easy and decorative option.

  • Buy a metal or bamboo reusable straw. Put it next to the reusable cutlery (such as wood, bamboo, or metal bar) for sustainable food on the go.

  • Talk to the owners of your favorite restaurants. Ask plastic sticks, mixers or bags for non-plastic alternatives.

  • Speak to support local plastic bans, whether by calling your local government representative, sending an optim to your city newspaper, or just starting talking to neighbors.

  • Tell the companies that make your favorite products that you care about the packaging. Send, call or send letters to these companies to ask them to switch to less durable, recyclable, composted, renewable and / or recycled packaging with less fossil fuel-derived plastics.

 

 

 

Disposable Plastics
Composting

 

Composting

 

Compostable Wastes: This logo can be “industrially composted” according to the European standard of the product EN 13432/14955.

confirms that Never put compostable plastic in recycling with other plastics; about to break

It is designed to pollute non-recyclable and recyclable plastics. Plastics bearing this symbol, local authorities

can be recycled with waste in your garden.

 

What is compost and composting: Compost is a biochemically degradable mineral substance that is stabilized by organisms and a wide variety of organic materials. Composting is the biochemical means of living things called microorganisms, mostly of which are not visible, by using the oxygen of the environment to decompose organic substances in the garbage. For this event to take place, the water content in the litter mass must be around 45-60%.

How to Provide Composting : Although various methods may be used in the world to provide composting, experience has shown that the most effective method is the Biotabilizer Method. In the biotablizer method, after the domestic garbage taken from the garbage bunker is passed through the sorting bands, it is generally 27.47 m. diameter and 270 m. It is given to the cylindrical, rotating drum in the neck. The rotation speed of this drum is 0.5 rev / min during daytime hours; 0.25 rpm during night hours. d. In order to fully meet the need for oxygen, additional air must be added into the drum with the help of fans. In this method, theoretically raw compost is formed in 3-5 days. The raw compost that is obtained and completes the pre-fermentation stage is sieved and the glass shards inside are removed and taken to the resting areas. In these areas, compost can be put up for sale for 4 weeks.

What are the Benefits of Composting in Environmental Health: The temperature reaches 670-700 C in 3-5 days in the biostablizer (rotary drum). At this temperature (pasteurization temperature) practically all microorganisms (disease-causing) die. Actinomysetes fungi grown in the biostablizer carry out biological disinfection by secreting antibiotics. In addition to these benefits, a 40-60% reduction in the litter mass to be stored with the help of compost can be achieved.

What are the Agricultural Benefits of Compost Product: The main benefit of compost is to improve soil structure and property. It is possible to list the benefits as follows;
- Increases the void volume in the soil (soil).
- It provides easy ventilation of the ground,
- Provides easy cultivation of hard-working soils,
- It prevents salting in dry seasons by increasing the water holding ability of the soil.
- It shows buffer effect against mineral fertilization at high rates.
- It provides better use of nutrients by plants.

Experience has shown that compost is especially beneficial in cultivation of garden, fruit and grapes, which do not produce self-sufficient humus.

 

Difference Between Fertilizer: Compost is not fertilizer. While fertilizer provides the soil with the necessary nutrients for the development of plants, compost provides the structural arrangement of the soil (soil). However, it is possible to obtain high quality fertilizer by adding certain amounts of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium (N, P, K) into the compost. The benefit of this fertilizer to the agricultural fields is more than all artificial fertilizers. In addition, due to the raw material of its raw material, the problem of artificial taste disappears in products produced in agricultural areas.

 

Composting Methods:

Indore Method:

The main parameters we need to provide; Oxygen ratio: 12%, Humidity: 50-60%, Temperature: 50-60 C (not less than 40, not more than 70). The piece size of the material is 1-5 cm. C / N ratio: 25-35 / 1. Under forest cover C / N: 110, wheat straw C / N: 70/1, corn stalk and leaves C / N: 26/1, 7-15 in fresh green material / Is around 1.
Taking into consideration the rates, the desired balance between carbon and nitrogen can be easily achieved. However, since compost is a product that serves the evaluation of organic wastes, we can make some adjustments according to the material we have. For example, if the carbon content in the starting material is high, the process can be accelerated by adding nitrogen fertilizer.
Our material comes from many sources, and if our shredding and mixing process is healthy, we can never use activators such as soil, chemical fertilizer, blood, bone meal. For example, if we use vegetable wastes from the greenhouses at the end of harvest, sufficient soil will be added to the mixture together with the plant roots. After the shredding and mincing process of all the materials is done, the batch preparation is started. The place where we will stack is to have a concrete floor so that it does not leak food and water, we should be able to use the water source when we need it. The height of our stack is 1.5 m. width of 2.5-3 m. It should be around. We can adjust the length according to the condition of our place and material, but not less than 3 m. By laying dry material such as straw and straw at the bottom on the concrete floor, it is necessary to minimize water and nutrient losses.
15-20 cm above it. After putting compost material in thickness, some soil or old compost is laid in a thickness not exceeding 2.5 cm. A ton of compost can enter soil between the limits of 10-100 kg. After that, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer can be sprinkled if necessary. Stacking continues until the height reaches the size we want. The stack is closed after the last irrigation is done. They should be removed when they place ventilation rods at certain intervals and take the final shape of the stack.
As a last process, the batch is mixed with water and closed. A material that will facilitate ventilation should be preferred as cover. If nylon is used, air holes should be opened. The formation of the compost varies between 2 months and 2 years with this method according to the climatic conditions, the particle size and chemical structure of the material entering the heap, the humidity and ventilation condition. The stack is closed again after every 10-15 days after ventilation, mixing and the addition of reduced moisture. If the composting process has taken place after 3-4 cleavages, the screening process is started.
Maturity; It is understood by the appearance and smell of brown black humus soil, having a neutral pH, and the appearance of some soil creatures in it.

 

Barrel Method:

It is a simple and useful technique developed for home gardens in the USA. Materials and activators to be composted are put into the box, which is made of a barrel-shaped and sized chicken-like wire. Mixing takes place thanks to its mechanism that can be rotated around an axis. It can be easily ventilated because it is wired. With this method, which is very common, production is provided within a period of 45-60 days, and garbage problems are solved in garden houses.

 

14 Days Method:

This method, which was developed at the University of California but used by housewives especially in the USA for organic gardening, has been obtained in a short time like 14 days with mixing every 3-4 days and adding moisture if necessary.

 

Anaerobic method:

It is a method that is widely used in China, which has been using compost for at least 4000 years, but has an odor problem. it is not opened until it ripens after the pile is made.

Considerations When Using Compost:

The main point in the composting event is that whatever technique we use or the starting material is used, the final product we have is suitable for our breeding target. For example, applying the finely chopped material directly to our soil for our fruit trees can save us more energy and materials. Whereas, the compost that we will plant seeds, grow the seedlings must be extremely mature and must have passed the combustion phases that will damage germination or fresh material and nitrogen stabilization must be provided.

 

Compost Making with Herbal Wastes

Organic matter insufficiency is observed in our country due to long years of agriculture, lack of precipitation, high summer temperatures and not enough organic fertilization.
It is desired to have an average of 5-10% organic matter in the greenhouse soil. However, in analyzes, 90% of our greenhouses lack organic matter. In the scarcity of Organic Matter; plants cannot form enough roots in the soil, the aeration of the roots will be insufficient, plant nutrients cannot be taken effectively and as a result, the yield will be low. As a precaution, 8-10 tons / da in greenhouses every 3-4 years. farm manure should be given. Due to the high cost of farm manure and difficulties in obtaining it, it is difficult to give it every year. In such cases, it is of great importance that the plant wastes generated in the enterprise are collected and composted after they are cut and recycled to the soil.

For a clean environment and sustainable production, compost is formed when all kinds of organic materials formed in the enterprise are collected in a suitable place and kept in a damp environment. It is very important in terms of soil fertility due to its feature of being organic fertilizer close to compost farm manure and containing nutrients.

Zero Waste

 

Zero Waste

 

The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization defines Zero Waste as follows: “Zero Waste; It is a target defined as a waste management philosophy that includes waste prevention, more efficient use of resources, reviewing the causes of waste generation, preventing or minimizing waste generation, and in case of waste, collecting it separately at its source and ensuring recycling.

 

Benefits of Recycling Wastes

“The disposal of waste without being evaluated in the recycling and recovery process causes serious resource losses both materially and energy. While the population and living standards in the world are increasing, there is an inevitable increase in consumption and this situation increases the pressure on our natural resources, disrupting the balance of the world and our limited resources cannot reach the increasing needs. Considering this situation, the importance of using natural resources efficiently becomes more evident. For this reason, in recent years, zero waste application studies have become widespread both individually, institutionally and throughout the municipality. ”

 

Advantages to be provided by taking the zero waste approach as basis;

1- Increased efficiency,

2- Increasing performance due to clean environment,

3- Reducing costs as waste is prevented,

4- Ensuring the reduction of environmental risks,

5- Ensuring that employees have a “sensitive consumer” feeling as they contribute to the development of environmental protection awareness within the organization,

6- Ensuring that the institution has the title of “Environmentalist” in national and international markets, thus increasing its reputation. ”

 

Zero Waste System Installation

Environment and urban ministry; The company has determined a 7-step system consisting of the steps that must be followed in order for institutions or organizations to be included in Zero Waste. These stages are as follows:

1- Determination of Focal Points: Persons who will be responsible for the establishment, effective and efficient implementation, monitoring, information flow and reporting of zero waste management system in the institution are determined. These are the people who will lead the team that will provide zero waste management.

2- Current Due Diligence: When implementing the Zero Waste Management System in your institution, first of all, determining how you are about waste, analyzing your current situation, will provide convenience for you as you progress.

3- Planning: At this stage, the institution-specific deadline plan is prepared based on the current situation.

4- Determination of Needs and Supply: While implementing the Zero Waste System in the institution, all the equipment to be needed (offices, dining hall, infirmary etc.) are determined, listed and listed before implementation.

5- Education - Awareness: After the procurement of the equipment is completed, applied training and information activities are carried out for the target audiences before the implementation.

6- Application: The accumulating equipment supplied is placed at the points that the personnel can easily reach at appropriate intervals. Information posters designed according to the equipment are hung on the equipment so that they can be easily seen. Attention should be paid to the color scale in the accumulating equipment and promotional materials.

7- Reporting: At this stage, monitoring is carried out by the work team in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the application, and if any, the disruptive aspects of the application, deficiencies or the parties to be developed are identified and measures are taken.

Other Symbols

 

Meaning of Symbols

 

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Mobius Cycle: They all mean the same, regardless of color.

This symbol indicates that the product can be recycled. However, it does not guarantee that the material will be accepted by the local recycling center or collector company, nor does it indicate that the product is made from recycled materials.

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Green Point: The meaning of Green Point is often confused with the Mobius Cycle. This point does not mean that the packaging can be recycled or recycled. It shows that the manufacturer contributes financially to the recovery and recycling of packaging.

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Glass: The majority of glass can be recycled. If you are sending your glass bottle or jars for glass recycling, try separating the glass in color. Also, be sure to remove non-glass components such as bottle caps.

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Aluminum: This logo lets you know that the product it is on is made of recyclable aluminum. It is one of the not well known logos among the recycling symbols.

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Paper: Among the recycling symbols, it is a stamp patented by the National Association of Paper Merchants. It certifies that the product is made of at least 50% original waste paper or cardboard fiber.

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Waste Electronics: Electrical parts of household appliances, mobile phones and many other electronic products with this logo can be recycled.

Meaning of Numbers

 

The Meaning of Numbers

 

Most plastic jars, containers and other product packages have tiny shapes with a number in the middle and sometimes with plastic letters stamped on the bottom of what is generally regarded as the recycling logo, which is defined as the Recycling logo. The Plastic Industry Association (SPI) introduced the system in 1988 to effectively indicate which type of plastic the product belongs to with these logos while sorting recyclers. Basically, the triangle and the numbers inside it began to show the grade of the plastic, which represents the resin ID code. This application, which has become increasingly standard, has finally started to be used in many countries today.

 

Different types of plastic should never be mixed together as this will greatly reduce their quality and make it very difficult to recycle. What's more, when different types of plastic melt together they tend to phase separation like oil and water and are layered, resulting in structural weakness and lower quality products.

There are different types of plastic, and one reason separating them is so important is their melting temperature. They all reach a liquid state at a different temperature, so it is important to know at what temperature each plastic melts and at what temperatures the different types can be molded to make new high-quality products. For this, we recommend that you take a look at our Raw Material Information pages.

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1 - PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Recycling

Thermoplastics such as PET resins are relatively easy to recycle as their polymer chains break down easily at low temperatures. PET plastics are recycled on a massive scale around the world. Recycled polyethylene terephthalate is called RPET (Recycled polyethylene terephthalate).

The recycling process of PET may be different for different facilities, but the general steps followed in this process are as follows:

  • The bottles are separated individually and unwanted substances are removed manually or by an automated system.

  • Bottles are thoroughly cleaned to remove any dirt inside and outside to prevent any contamination.

  • After the bottles are cleaned, they are sorted using infrared radiation technique to determine the type of polymers contained in the bottles. Bottles are also classified according to their color (blue, natural green, or mixed).

  • More bottles break down into flakes that need to be washed again. Even this step can be skipped and the bottles can be melted directly to produce different shapes.

  • Finally, plastic pellets are produced by melting plastics in shredded PET.

RPET raw material produced after recycling PET resin is used in automotive parts, PET containers, sheets and films, industrial strapping, luggage, polyester carpet fibers and clothing and footwear production.

Plastics are easiest to recycle. PET is a very strong plastic that is easily recognizable due to its transparent appearance. It is commonly used for soda bottles, water bottles, and many general food packages. It is recycled into bottles and polyester fibers. PET is one of the most widely used plastics in consumer products and is found in most water and bottles, and some food packaging . It is designed for single use applications; Repeated use increases the risk of leakage and bacterial growth. PET plastic is difficult to decontaminate and proper cleaning requires harmful chemicals. Polyethylene terephthalates can filter carcinogens. PET plastic can be recycled. The plastic is crushed and crushed into small flakes that are then reprocessed or turned into polyester fiber to make new PET bottles. This recycled fiber is used to make textiles such as fleece garments, carpets, padding for pillows and life jackets and similar items.

Attention: Products made of PET plastic must be recycled but not reused.

Features: lightweight, shockproof, hard / semi-rigid
Pros: strong and hard, water and oxide barrier, good electrical properties
Cons: high mold shrinkage, heat distortion, harmful fumes
Security: Medium
Warning: harmful fumes during processing, some research harmful substances leaking from long-term use
Use with PP machines: bottles bottled by blow (water bottles, soda / juice bottles), packaging, film, electrical fixtures

PET recycling helps reduce dependence on oil and gas, reduce ocean and landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

 

2 - HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) Recycling

High density polyethylene plastics are the most widely recycled plastics on a very large scale worldwide. Plastic is accepted by most of the world's recycling centers as it is the easiest polymer to recycle. Plastics bear the universal symbol number "2" in the recycling triangle.

The high density polyethylene recycling process starts from a collection of used plastics. First, the collected plastic is sorted and separated. Because plastics are often contaminated, clean and dirty high density polyethylene is separated and recycled differently. To protect the quality of recycled products, contaminated plastics are cleaned before recycling.

General recycling machines are used to recycle HDPE bottles, but different recycling processes are used for films. HDPE film recycling machine chews plastic sheets into small pieces and then they are turned into pellets.

These pellets can also be made into a variety of products with a certain percentage of virgin high density polyethylene combined with recycled high density polyethylene. The recycled high density polyethylene produced in the final is usually dark in color such as brown or black and accordingly is subjected to use to produce new plastic products.

 

It is mostly used for packaging detergent, bleach, milk canister, hair care products and motor oil. It is recycled into more bottles or bags. HDPE plastic is a hard plastic used to make milk jugs, detergent and oil bottles, toys and some plastic bags. HDPE is the most widely recycled plastic and considered one of the safest forms of plastic. Recycling HDPE plastic for secondary use is a relatively simple and cost effective process.

HDPE plastic is very durable and will not deteriorate if exposed to sunlight or overheating or freezing. That's why HDPE is used for picnic tables, plastic lumber, waste bins, park benches, bed liners for trucks, and other products that require durability and weather resistance. Also , recycled plastic is a popular material for raised garden beds. Recycled high density plastics can be reused to make new bottles or containers. They can also be used in the packaging industry. Recycled plastics are primarily used to produce household products such as containers (bins, bins and other storage items), construction pipes, ropes, Food packaging (Milk bottles) and household items (fences, pots, furniture and other plastic home interiors).
Products made of HDPE are reusable and recyclable.

Features: insert, thermally stable, rigid and high tensile strength
Pros: cheap, high chemical resistance, electrical properties, waxy feel, good friction behavior
Cons: Less hard than PP, easy to burn, poor UV resistance, high mold shrinkage
Security: Good
Warning: HDPE itself (when not burned) is not dangerous to use, but additives can be dangerous. It is not possible to see what kind of additives are used in the products.
Common uses: pipes, toys, bowls, crates, packaging film
Use with PP machines: HDPE is very similar to PP, low melting temperature and easy to mold.

It has a large worldwide market among all thermoplastics. The demand for high density polyethylene resins has been steadily increasing over the past few years due to increasing infrastructure activities globally. This puts pressure on the environment, as the plastics produced do not decompose easily for years.

Recycling of plastic reduces the burden on the environment (landfills and water bodies). For example, the amount of fresh high density plastic used in polybag production has decreased by up to 70% over the past two decades.

Developing countries such as China and India, increased living standards and pipe, cable, etc. from growing industries. It places high demand on polymer due to the increasing demand. Like all other plastics, this plastic is not biodegradable and since its decomposition takes centuries, it is essential to recycle high density plastics used to manufacture new products (bags, pipes and containers, etc.) to maintain stability in the environment.

 

3 - PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Recycling

PVC is toxic and working conditions with it should be good. It is most commonly found in plumbing pipes and releases chloride when heated. It is not desirable to be used in expensive high-tech plastic machines. Pipes, toys, furniture, packaging. PVC clear plastic is a soft, flexible plastic used to make blister packaging for food packaging, edible oil bottles, teething rings, children's and pet toys, and countless consumer products. It is often used to make sheath material for computer cables, plastic pipes and parts for plumbing, and garden hoses . Because PVC is relatively impervious to sunlight and weather, it is used to make window frames, garden hoses, posts, raised beds, and trusses. PVC is called "toxic plastic" because it contains a large number of toxins that it can find throughout its entire life cycle. Almost all products that use PVC require virgin material in their construction; Less than 1% of PVC material is recycled.

Products made using PVC plastic are not recyclable. Although some PCV products are recyclable, PVC products should not be reused for food-containing applications or products for children.

Properties: insulating, chemically inert
Pros: cheap, acid and alkali resistance, flame retardant, tough and strong
Cons: overheating causes degradation, brittleness below 0 ° C, discoloration in strong UV light, high density for thermoplastic, HCL and dioxins when burned.
Security: Not safe
Warning: do not use dangerous fillers and there is HCL and dioxin release during decomposition or combustion.
Common uses: Flexible: faux leather, gaskets, cable sheaths, tape, pipes, construction products, bottles, film, bases, heat shrink tubing
Use with PP machines: No suitable method is offered, avoid using as much as possible.

 

4 - LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) (and LLDPE) Recycling
It is used for many different types of packaging, sleeve bags and sandwich bags and can likewise be recycled. LDPE is often found in shrink wrap, dry clean garment bags, squeeze bottles, and plastic bags used to pack bread. Plastic bags used in most stores today are made using LDPE plastic. Some clothing and furniture also use this type of plastic. LDPE is considered less toxic than other plastics and relatively safe for use. However, it is not widely recycled, but is changing as more plastic recycling programs regarding the use of this material in many communities today change. When recycled, LDPE plastic is used for plastic lumber, landscaping boards, bin liners, and floor tiles. Products made using recycled LDPE are not as hard or rigid as those made using recycled HDPE plastic.

Products made using LDPE plastic can be reused, but cannot always be recycled. You should check with your local collection service to see if they accept LDPE plastic products for recycling.

Features: chemically inert, flexible, insulating
Pros: cheap, chemical and hydrolysis resistance, high impact strength (low temperature), good machinability
Cons: low tensile strength, low hardness, low maximum temperature, burns easily, poor UV resistance, high mildew shrinkage
Security: Good
Warning: LDPE itself (when not burned) is not dangerous to use, but additives can be dangerous. It is not possible to see what kind of additives are used in the products.
Common uses: bowls, lids, toys, containers, film, squeezing bottles, pipes, bags, plates
Use with PP machines: LDPE is usually a foil and is not ideal for shredding.

 

Plastics are used to create a variety of plastic products, from medical supplies to homes, films and sheets. The resin offers increased flexibility and low strength, which makes it suitable for plastic bags and milk cartons, etc. Its shape makes it an ideal material for the packaging industry. This widespread use of plastics results in large amounts of recycling of the material.

It is often used in large quantities which, if not recycled, could have a hazardous effect on health and the environment. It is produced from crude oil, which is a non-renewable resource that puts pressure on it. When plastic is not recycled, it is thrown away as a landfill that consumes green spaces.

 

Manufactured plastics carry an identification number ranging from one to seven, indicating how these materials should be recycled. It can be identified by a recycle symbol consisting of a triangle with three arrows on its outer side, number 4 in the center of the triangle. Usually this triangular mark can be seen near the ingredient list on the packaging or on the plastic container itself.

It may be the # 4 recycling symbol on a wide variety of plastic products, but plastics are most often found in bottled water packaging. Thermoplastics are generally used after recycling in a thin and soft form, so products such as shopping bags, milk boxes and garbage bags can be considered to be made from recycled low density polyethylene plastics.

 

Products found in recycling centers are melted in a heating process to remove contaminants. When heating plastics turn from solid to viscous liquid and finally to liquid as the heating temperature increases. The melting point of LDPE is 115 degrees Celsius, allowing the 'float and sink' process to separate the low density polyethylene polymer from other polymer materials. Separation is carried out in a tank using water. When the recycling process ends, the polymer liquid material is transformed into plastic sheets that are sold to manufacturers to produce recycled materials.

The recycled form of low density polyethylene plastics can also be used to produce plastic products such as grocery bags, toys, Lids, Garbage bags, carpets and many other items used in daily life.

 

5 - PP (Polypropylene) Recycling

PP plastics are generally considered safer than many other similar plastic materials. When used as food containers, they do not filter harmful chemicals. PP plastics are flexible, hard, heat resistant and provide a barrier against moisture. These features, along with microwave safety, make them the obvious choice as food containers. They are used as plastic cups, feeding bottles, food containers and other kitchen utensils. Products are marked as "PP" as a material identification for the consumer.

PP polymer identification code for recycling is "5". PP polymer can be recycled many times. After the polymer is recycled continuously, PP plastic is thermally degraded. Since it is thermally degraded, its bonds are weakened as it must be disposed of in other ways.

The recycling of PP polymer is very high because there is a market for a variety of recycled products. In the United States, almost 95% of the battery is made from PP polymer and recycled.

PP consumes less energy and produces less solid waste than other plastics. Less carbon dioxide is produced in the manufacturing process, thus making these plastics more environmentally friendly than others.

PP is one of the most common plastics on the market, is strong and generally can withstand higher temperatures. .Cloth, bottles, tubs and ropes. It can be recycled into fibers. Polypropylene plastic is tough and lightweight and has excellent heat resistance properties. It acts as a barrier against moisture, oil and chemicals. When you try to open the thin plastic liner in a cereal box, it's polypropylene. This keeps the cereal dry and fresh. PP is also used for disposable diapers, buckets, plastic bottle caps, margarine and yogurt containers, potato chip bags, chopsticks, packing tape, and rope.

Polypropylene can be recycled through some curbside recycling programs. Recycled PP is used to make landscaping, battery boxes, brooms, bins and trays. PP is considered safe for reuse.

Features: some features here
Pros: Like PE, but stronger, filler, and higher temperature and lower density, mechanical, thermal and electrical performance result in a low cost plastic
Cons: Higher cost than PE, brittleness below 0 ° C, high permeability to gases, poor resistance to fuels, poor UV resistance, will continue to burn
Security: Good
Warning: PP itself (when not burned) is not dangerous to use, but additives can be dangerous. It is not possible to see what kind of additives are used in the products.
Common uses: structural parts, pipes, toys, chairs, kitchenware, DVD boxes, packaging, films, textiles, carpets, rope
Use with PP machines: Works well with all machines. 100% happiness.

 

6 - PS (Polystyrene) Recycling
PS is best known as Styrofoam, but it is also seen in many more products. PS can be recycled, but not efficient - recycling requires a lot of energy. Cups, foam food trays, packaging waste. Polystyrene is an inexpensive, lightweight and easily shaped plastic with a wide variety of uses. It is used to make the ubiquitous "peanut" foam chips used to fill disposable styrofoam cups, packaged "oyster bowl" food containers, egg cartons, plastic picnic cutlery, foam packaging and shipping boxes to protect the contents. Polystyrene is also widely used to make rigid foam insulation, and it covers the underlay layer for laminate flooring used in home construction. Since polystyrene is structurally weak and ultra-light, it breaks down easily and is easily dispersed in the natural environment. It also offers great aesthetic and tactile properties as it is comparable to glass and can be polished.

Polystyrene, a possible human carcinogen, can contaminate food products (especially when heated in a microwave oven). Chemicals found in polystyrene have been associated with human health and reproductive system dysfunction.

Recycling is not common in polystyrene products. Most staircase collection services do not accept polystyrene. While polystyrene recycling technology is available, the recycling market is scarce. Polystyrene should be avoided as much as possible, as it is one of the toxic types of plastic.

Features: clear, shiny, tough, tough
Pros: cheap, low mold shrinkage, good insulator, good at low temperature
Cons: Brittle, poor wear resistance, poor chemical resistance
Security: Medium
Warning: When burning PS, styrene may be released (toxic)
Common uses: Toys, CD boxes, light diffusers, electrical enclosures, cutlery
Use with PP machines: extrusion, sheets, polishing

 

EPS Recycling Process:

These polymers can be completely recycled. The processes involved in the recycling of EPS include:

Separation - EPS scrap is separated from the plastic scrap bundle. Usually this separation is done before entering the waste stream to avoid any contamination.

Collection - EPS is an important factor in recycling as it is a light material handling cost. EPS scrap is either loosely packed or baled prior to shipping.

Reprocessing - The collected EPS is put into the granulation machine where it is compressed. Compressed plastic pellets are recycled materials that are reused to produce new products.

Uses - The recycled form of EPS can also be used as a raw material for a number of applications such as synthetic lumber, stationary products such as CD and DVD cassette boxes, plant pots, and other garden products.

 

7 - Other Recycling
This code is used to describe other types of plastic that are not defined by the other six types of plastic. Like plastics. ABS, Acrylic or Polycarbonate fall under this category and can be difficult to recycle, but Precious Plastic can work with some of them.

Any or all of the above, or like polyurethane, are easily recycled, so reuse and recycling protocols are not standardized in this category. However, with this category of plastics primarily, there is potential for chemical transfer to food or beverage products packaged in polycarbonate containers made using BPA (Bisphenol A). BPA is a xenogenesis, a known endocrine disruptor. Plastics in this category are used to make baby bottles, mouthpieces, water cooler bottles, and car parts. BPA is often found in polycarbonate plastic food containers marked with the letters "PC" by the number 7 recycling label marked on the bottom. Some polycarbonate water bottles are marketed as "non-leaking" to minimize plastic taste or odor, but there is still a possibility that traces of BPA may leak from these containers, especially if they are used to heat liquids. A new belt of compostable plastics made from bio-based polymers such as corn starch has been developed to replace polycarbonates. These are also included in category 7, which can be confusing to the consumer. These compostable plastics have the letters "PLA" next to the recycling symbol on the bottom. Some may also say "Compostable".

Plastics in this category are not suitable for reuse unless they have coding that PLA can code. If possible, it is best to avoid group 7 plastics, especially for products that children will use. Plastics labeled 1, 2 and 4 are safer and do not contain BPA. PLA coded plastics should be thrown into compost, and PLA compostable plastics should not be thrown into the recycling bin as it is not possible to recycle.

Properties: Since this includes many different types of plastic, the properties can vary widely. So, it depends on what type of plastic. If you can define it, you can use it again, but if it's messy, chaos
Pros: There are good plastics to work with here. ABS, PLA, Nylon.
Cons: Difficult to describe as they don't have their own tags. That's why it's messy and chaotic Safety️
Safety: It's hard to find the melting temperature, especially if it's messy. So you can easily burn it. So, it's not that safe.
Warning: Some of the plastic species included here (such as PC) emit very toxic fumes. Be sure to provide information about the type of plastic you want to work with and test its properties before mass processing.
Common usage areas: PC (CDs and DVDs…), PLA (bioplastics), ABS (3D printing filament, toys, electronic products…),

PMMA (acrylic glass)

 

Bonus - What if There's No Number?

You have a plastic material, and you're going to recycle it. But if there is no description of 1, 2, 3, ... etc. How should we separate this material and determine what it is?

Here are a few different ways to describe it:

Density test : This technique is the task of exploiting the different densities of plastic types. Each plastic type has its own specific density that will allow it to float differently in liquids. The liquid in question; It can be brine, alcohol, vegetable oil and glycerin, and this technique is used extensively by the industry. However, when performing this test, it is necessary to be convinced that the sample is sufficiently pure plastic. As a matter of fact, plastic materials are now produced by adding various additives to improve product strength, color, non-flammability, etc. And especially in this case, which directly affects the change in density, the density test result can be deceptive.

Infrared testing: This process is very efficient and works by shining an infrared light (usually on a conveyor belt) to different plastics and evaluating optical rebound, such as reflection, angle of refraction. Since each plastic has a different molecular structure, rebound can be easily identified. Unfortunately, where the technology is right now, the dark pigments in plastic can cause confusion, false readings in this reaction signal. However, it is an application that can be extended for plastics that have not been mixed with the dye masterbatch.

Burn test: This is a simple technique where you cut a small piece of plastic and light it on fire (although this produces toxic fumes, we don't recommend doing this regularly!) You should cut a piece of unknown plastic. And by observing the flame color, nature, and smell, you can get evidence of what plastic is.

Also, remembering these little tricks will help you separate undefined plastic.

  • Chemicals are usually stored in HDPE bottles

  • PP is very flexible, for example it can be used with hinges and bends several times without breaking

  • If you smash the PP with a hammer, it will shatter

  • You cannot break the PE in the same way, it will just bend or deform

  • To easily identify a thermoset, cut it with a sharp knife and you'll get a smooth cut. And its particles will be in the form of particles much smaller than those of thermoplastics.

 

Turkey Plastic Garbage

Turkey's imports of plastic waste has increased 173-fold.

 

According to Eurostat, the amount of plastic waste sent to Turkey from European countries has increased 173-fold since 2004. Turkey has imported only 582 296 tonnes of plastic in 2019 from Europe.

First, after China, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand to Turkey to restrict the import of plastic waste has become Europe's new plastic garbage route. European countries, which have restricted the use of plastics in their own countries, escape their own responsibilities by sending plastic wastes they cannot cope with to other countries. At the beginning of the trash to Turkey sending countries Great Britain, Italy, Belgium, Germany and France and the Ministry of Urbanism is a time geliyor.çevr against plastic pollution is struggling with zero waste policy. But on the other hand, these wastes are allowed to enter the country continues to plague Turkey's sea and land.

Turkey should be a plastic garbage

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