Plastic Recycling

Plastic recycling is the biggest market compared to other recycling materials, and there is a wide range of products made from recycled plastic, including:

• Polyethylene bin liners and carrier bags
• PVC sewer pipes, flooring and window frames
• Building insulation board
• Video and compact disc cassette cases
• Fencing and garden furniture
• Water butts
• Garden sheds and composters
• Seed trays, anoraks and fleeces
• Fibered sleeping bags and duvets, and a variety of office accessories

There are about 50 different types of plastic. The main types include:
1. HDPE – Opaque bottles
2. PVC – Transparent bottles, with a seam running across the base
3. PET – Transparent bottles, with a hard moulded spot in the centre of the base

LDPE - The first grade of polyethylene. It includes trays & general purpose containers, food storage and laboratory containers, corrosion-resistant work surfaces, etc.
Nowadays, the plastic recycling companies provide fully automated reverse vending machines which utilize advanced technology to identify, sort, collect, process and recycle used beverage containers including cans, glass bottles, PET (plastic) bottles and vending cups. These machines have been used in Europe for many years, often as part of a 'refund for your empties' scheme, encouraging people to put their bottles in to get money back.