RECYCLING OF PLASTICS…

• Aaron Marsh
• Divine Blesso
• Rohith
• Plastics are organic substances formed by
macrocells called polymers.
 
• These polymers are large groups of
monomers linked by a chemical process
called polymerization.

• Plastics provide the necessary balance of

properties that can not be achieved with
other materials such as: color,
lightweight, soft touch and resistance to
environmental and biological
degradation.
 Properties of plastics
Plastics used as insulator

The properties and characteristics of

most plastics are these:
 
    * Easy to work and shape

* Have a low production cost

    * Possess low density

    * Tend to be waterproof

    * Good electrical insulators

Classification of plastics
 Behavior with respect to heating
 Physical and mechanical properties

Behavior with respect to heating

• Thermoplastics
 Becomes soft when heated , hard when cooled
 Shape and reshape is possible
 Can be reused

• Thermosetting plastics Physical an mechanical properties

 Becomes rigid when moulded,at suitable
pressure and temperature  Rigid plastics
 When heated 127c to 177c they set permanently  Semi rigid plastics
 Soluble in alcohol and other solvents  Soft plastics
 Durable,strong and hard  elastomers
Did you know?
• Simple things like combining thermal insulation with tripled
glazed windows can reduce energy consumption by up to
80%.
• Plastics are one of the few materials that can do both jobs.
• Plastic insulation products save over 200 times more energy
over their lifetime than is used for their production and are
roughly 16% more energy efficient than alternative insulation
materials.
• If plastic window frames were installed all over Europe
tomorrow we would eliminate the need for five large power
station.
• Plastics are a source of stored energy and, when not
recycled, can be used to generate heat power at the end of
their useful life. eco-house utilising recycled plastic insulation.
Advantages of Plastic  

• Plastic  materials  are  light  in  weight,  unbreakable, 

odourless and can be easily moulded.

• They  have  excellent  finishing;  possess  good  shock 

absorption capacity, high strength as well as toughness. 

• The plastics materials are corrosion resistant
 
• Plastics have water resistant property and possess good 
adhesiveness. 

• They are strong, durable, good and cheap to produce.

• It  is  possible  to  recycle  plastic;  therefore  no 

decomposition  required  which  is  much  more  expensive 
and hazardous than recycling.

• Plastic can be used in building, construction, electronics, 
packing and transportation industries.
    
 .
What is Plastic Recycling?
• Plastic recycling is the process of recovering different
types of plastic material in order to reprocess them into
varied other products, unlike their original form.

• An item made out of plastic is recycled into a different

product, which usually cannot be recycled again
Stages in Plastic Recycling
1.Sorting: It is necessary that every plastic item is separated
according to its make and type so that it can be processed
accordingly in the shredding machine.

2.Washing: Once the sorting has been done, the plastic waste

needs to be washed properly to remove impurities such as labels
and adhesives. This enhances the quality of the finished product.

3.Shredding: After washing, the plastic waste is loaded into

different conveyer belts that run the waste through the different
shredders. These shredders tear up the plastic into small pellets,
preparing them for recycling into other products.

4.Identification and Classification of Plastic: After shredding, a

proper testing of the plastic pellets is conducted in order to
ascertain their quality and class.

5.Extruding: This involves melting the shredded plastic so that it

can be extruded into pellets, which are then used for making
different types of plastic products.
GRADES OF PLASTIC
Grade 1 plastics are made up of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It is
commonly used in beverage bottles, water bottles, medicinal jars and bean
bags.
Grade 2 plastics are made up of high-density polyethylene, or HDPE.
It is extremely safe as it does not leach chemicals into foods or drinks.
It is used in shampoo bottles, milk containers, motor oils, and bleaches.

Grade 3 plastics are made up of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. This plastic

is used in all kinds of pipes and tiles.

Grade 4 is made up of low-density polyethylene, or LDPE. It is used to

make cling wraps, sandwich bags, squeezable bottles and grocery bags.

Grade 5 plastics are made up of polypropylene, or PP. It is used to make

plastic diapers, lunch boxes (Hunger Box), small containers (Munchie Box),
margarine containers, syrup bottle and yogurt boxes.

Grade 6 plastics are made up of polystyrene, also known as PS. This is

basically used to make disposable items like spoons, plates, coffee cups, etc.

Grade 7 plastics are designated for other kinds of plastic which don't
fall under the first six classifications. Plastics like polycarbonate, ABS,
and polylactide fall under this category. Polycarbonate (PC) is used to
make baby bottles, compact disc, and medicinal storages.
 Uses of recycled plastics
Packaging
Recycled PET Grade 1 and HDPE Grade 2 is increasingly
used in primary packaging by retailers and branded
manufacturers for bottles and trays.
Household names such as Coca Cola, M&S, Boots, The
Body Shop, Innocent Drinks and Halfords all currently use
recycled plastic in selected product lines.
Use of recycled plastic helps demonstrate a commitment
to sustainable resource use.

Construction
Recycled plastic is widely used in mainstream
construction products such as damp proof membrane,
drainage pipes, ducting and flooring.
It is also used in innovative products such as scaffolding
boards or kerbstones, where its durability and weight has
significant Health & Safety benefits.

Landscaping
Walkways, jetties, pontoons, bridges, fences and signs are
increasingly being made from recycled plastic.
Durability, low maintenance, vandal resistance, and its
 Use of Plastics in Different
Aspects of the Construction
Industry

 Flooring

Plastic materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

and polyethylene are used to make flooring
less prone to wear and tear. It also decreases
the sound pollution level and can be cleaned
easily. 
 Roofing
To protect the outer surface of the roof from
damage, two layers of different plastic
materials are required. The upper part is made
of colored thermoplastic olefin or vinyl while
the lower part consists of polyurethane foam
which consumes less energy and keeps the
interior of a house cooler.
Insulation
Polyurethane spray is frequently used
for insulation when constructing green
or low energy buildings. Rigid
polyurethane foam is known for its high
thermal resistance which promotes
temperature consistency. 
Polyurethane foam is also popular
because it is lightweight, chemical
resistant, and flame retardant.   Due
to its closed cell nature, polyurethane
insulation performs as an air barrier,
 Wall

A structural insulated panel (SIP) is a sandwich of expanded

polystyrene amidst two slim layers of oriented strand board. This
type of pre-fab, composite wall board can be transferred to the
work place easily for a particular task and provide good support
to columns and other associated essentials during renovation.  

 Pipes

Commonly made up of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), CPVC, acrylonitrile

butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyethylene, plastic pipes are flexible and
very light in weight, making them easy to install.  All of these plastic
materials are also highly chemical and water resistant, making them
suitable for many extreme environments.
 Windows

Polycarbonate is used to manufacture building windows. This plastic

material is strong, clear and very light in weight. 
Polycarbonate windows are considered more burglar-proof than
regular glass windows.  Two plastics materials, vinyl and fiberglass,
are used commonly in the production of window frames.  Fiberglass is
extremely strong while vinyl is quite durable and also inexpensive.
 Doors

Some construction projects use doors made

from a stiff polyurethane foam core with a 
fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) coating. The
sandwich structure of these doors makes them
incredibly strong.
CASE STUDY