PLASTIC SHREDDER

Since plastics used in packaging form a highly visible part (approximately 20 percent by volume but less than 10 percent by weight) of the waste stream, most recycling efforts have focused on containers. Almost all of the major commodity plastics now bear an identifying number enclosed in a triangle together with an abbreviation. In many localities consumers are encouraged to return empty beverage containers to the place of purchase by being required to pay a deposit on each unit at the time of purchase.

This system helps to solve two of the major problems associated with economical recycling, since the consumer seeking return of the deposit does the sorting and the stores gather the plastics into central locations.

Once sorted, plastics are broken apart and cut or shredded into granules. The granules are washed and dried, passed under a metal detector to remove ferrous contaminants and finally passed through a dedusting unit, which removes the lighter particles. They are then packaged and ready to be used by re-manufacturers.

Shredding machines exist for two principal reasons: volume reduction and complete destruction. Shredding plastics provides the following benefits:

oReduced capital costs

oReduced operating costs

oReduced material fines generation

oProvides a smaller, uniform material ready for granulation

oReduced granulator downtime

oIncreased granulator throughput