Introduction :

The global plastic market size was valued at USD 593.00 billion in 2021. It is
expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7% from
2022 to 2030.These numbers reflect the increasing demand for plastic, after
proving its efficiency in many industrial specialties, especially the automotive
and electronics industries.
Polyethylene held the largest market revenue share of more than 25.0% of the
overall demand in 2021. It is primarily used in the packaging sector, which
includes containers and bottles, plastic bags, plastic films, and geomembranes.
Based on its molecular weight, there are different types of polymers of PE such
as HDPE, LDPE.
It is obvious that this huge amount of plastic has to be disposed of in some
way. It is often burned, which is the fastest and cheapest way, but it is very
toxic for the environment. The focus then shifts to the best way to preserve the
planet, even if it is a bit expensive, which is recycling.
Plastic recycling in some countries is an economy in itself, Some of them
reached the import of plastic waste from other countries to cover the demand “
like China “. Some of them introduced high-density polyethylene in the
construction process by adding it, after cutting, into the concrete; and others
melted the HDPE to form it in the form of floor tiles.
The method of using it after recycling differs from one place to another, but
the process of recycling remains the same everywhere.
1- Polyethylene :

Polyethylene (PE) is a common and extremely useful and cost-effective plastic

polymer. PE can be found almost everywhere today, from plastic grocery bags
and plastic packaging to drainpipes, milk jugs and trash containers. PE is an
easy-to-process thermoplastic that can be formed into a variety of shapes. A
particularly useful quality of (PE) is its ability to be easily modified during
processing into a variety of shapes that vary based on polymer chain length,
density and crystallinity. These characteristics allow PE products to be adapted
to a wide variety of uses. For example, high-density PE (HDPE) has a
comparatively more linear morphology and a higher degree of crystallinity than
low-density PE (LDPE). HDPE is lightweight and has good tensile strength,
while LDPE has good chemical resistance.

figure-1: Chemical formula for polyethylene polymer .

Polyethylene (PE), a member of the important family of polyolefin resin, is

prepared by the catalytic polymerization of ethylene ( C 2 H 4 ). It is a
thermoplastic polymer consisting of long chains, produced by combination of
the monomer molecules, ( ethylene ) CH 2= CH 2 .
2- Difference between HDPE & LDPE :

1. Low-density polyethylene ( LDPE ):

LDPE was the first type of polyethylene, produced in 1933 by Imperial
Chemical Industries (ICI). LDPE is prepared from gaseous ethylene under very
high pressures (up to about 350 megapascals) and high temperatures (up to
about 350 °C ) in the presence of oxide initiators. These processes yield a
polymer structure with both long and short branches. Because the branches
prevent the polyethylene molecules from packing closely together in hard, stiff,
crystalline arrangements, LDPE is a very flexible material. Its melting point is
approximately 110 °C .

figure-2: Chemical formula for low-density polyethylene polymer .

Principal uses are in packaging film, trash and

grocery bags, agricultural mulch, wire and cable
insulation, squeeze bottles, toys, and housewares.
 2. High-density polyethylene :
HDPE is manufactured at low temperatures and pressures, using Ziegler-Natta
and metallocene catalysts. The absence of branches in its structure allows the
polymer chains to pack closely together,which results in a higher density, highly
crystalline material of high strength and reasonable rigidity. With a melting
point more than 120 °C higher than LDPE, it can withstand repeated exposure
to 130 °C so that it can be sterilized. [3]

figure-2: Chemical formula for high-density polyethylene polymer .

Products include blow-molded bottles for

milk and household cleaners; blow-
extruded grocery bags, construction film,
and agricultural mulch; and injection-
molded pails, caps, appliance housings, and
toys.
3- Recycling of HDPE & LDPE :

High-density polyethylene ( HDPE ) and low-density polyethylene ( HDPE )

are the most recycled materials in plastic because they are easy to recycle, and
they are also a primary material for many products used daily by humans.
First, the collection process, which is a common step for HDPE and LDPE,
where polyethylene waste is collected in different ways, either through special
waste collection systems or directly from households. This process differs from
company to another. After that, the process varies a little bit :

● For the LDPE :

I. Separation: Here, the plastics are separated according to:

a. Pollution degree, since LDPE is used for multiple purposes, it will

certainly be exposed to pollution, so the clean plastic is separated
from the pollutant, which in turn is separated into a pollutant that
can be cleaned and another that cannot be cleaned.

b. Color, each color is processed and recycled separately to not affect

the quality.
The printed plastic is also separated from the clear plastic
(generally the printed clear plastic is not desirable for recycling
institutions).

II. Grinding machine.:

After being carefully
separated and
classified, the plastic is
sent to the grinder to
be cut into very small
pieces. This step is
very important because
the next two steps
depend on it.
 III. Washing, after cutting it into small pieces, it became easy to wash
and stir to obtain plastic without impurities. Then it going to be
dried and sent to the final stage.

IV. Melting, the plastic enters a melting machine, where several

characteristics are taken into account (e.g. melting point,
degradation temperature).The extruder is the most used device in
the field of recycling, because it allows an easy control of the
properties and a practical design (linear production line).
The plastic comes out at the end of the line in the form of synthetic
fibers or little pellets.

The pellets could be add to non recycled LDPE in the industry to reduce the
cost of production. Also it can be melted and reformed into new products such
as garbage bags.
 ● For the HDPE :

1. Separation, the plastic is separated according to thickness, color,

and degree of contamination (the separation process in developed
countries is automatic, unlike underdeveloped countries, which is
done manually).

2. Cutting the plastic into small pieces using the shredder “The same
way it is done with the LDPE”.

3. HDPE is washed carefully after being cut and dried, then melted in
an kiln or, more often, an extruder.

HDPE is the preferred type for recycling companies, as it can be a raw material
in itself to make consumable products like outdoor furniture, and drainage
pipes.
Conclusion :

Recycled plastic will not have the same characteristics as before recycling,
because he loses these properties due to several factors(eg; the degradation
effect). However, plastic recycling is a very important process even if it is very
difficult in certain types of polymers like elastomer but it is necessary to
preserve our planet in the light of the massive production of this material on a
global scale and the high demand of it.