PP Plastic Recycling
(Polypropylene)
Is Polypropylene (PP) Recyclable?
PP plastic is one of the most commonly used materials in the manufacturing of products like crates, boxes, yoghurt pots, carrier bags, plastic bottles, and flower pots. PP is also used to create correx, a plastic item that is often used for signage. Whilst this plastic type is so widely used, the great news is that it is also recyclable.
What Is PP?
PP is a thermoplastic polymer that is commonly used to manufacture plastic products. It is known for its strength, durability, and versatility, making it a popular choice for a wide range of products.
It is widely used in food packaging and non-food items, as well as in the manufacturing of various other products like toys, car parts, textiles and bottle caps.
Environmental Facts About PP Plastic
PP plastic is non-toxic, lightweight, and easy to recycle. However, it takes a number of years for PP plastic to decompose, which can cause significant harm to the environment.
By recycling this plastic, companies can significantly reduce the environmental impact of plastic. Additionally, recycled PP plastic can be used to produce new eco-friendly products. This is by reducing the need to extract raw materials and reducing carbon emissions associated with the production of new products.
Products Made From Recycling PP (Polypropylene)
PP plastic can be recycled into a wide range of products. This includes the following:
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Automotive parts
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Plastic packaging, such as food containers
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Plastic bottles
The recycled plastic can also be used as raw material in the manufacturing of garden furniture, decking, and storage boxes. With such a vast array of products available from recycling PP, it’s important we are implementing programs to repurpose this waste.
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Clothing
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Pallets and crates
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Compost bins
Key Facts About PP Plastic Recycling
Polypropylene carries the number five logo. Products made of PP degrade slowly in landfills. They also cause significant harm when being incinerated. This is the process of burning plastic to generate energy.
When we recycle our plastic waste, we can stop this material from ending up in these facilities. Here, greenhouse gases are emitted and toxic pollution takes place that speeds up the rate of global warming.
Despite being recyclable, this type of plastic is one of the least recycled post-consumer plastics. This means we are using up vital raw resources to produce this plastic at demand.
How Is PP Plastic Recycled?
The recycling process of polypropylene plastic involves collecting the plastic waste, sorting it by type, and then processing it to remove any impurities. The clean plastic is then fed into an extruder, which melts the plastic and shapes it into pellets. These pellets can then be used to produce new PP products.
The Benefits Of Recycling PP Plastic
Recycling polypropylene (PP) plastic waste has numerous benefits for both the environment and society:
Conserving Raw Materials
It conserves natural resources by reducing the need for new raw materials to be extracted and processed.
Reduce Incineration
We can reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up being incinerated, helping to decrease its environmental impact.
Furthermore, recycling plastic saves money for both consumers and local governments, as it is often cheaper to produce recycled plastic products compared to new products made from raw materials. As a business, you may also be offered rebates for bulk loads of your plastic waste.
Reducing Energy
Recycling PP decreases energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of new plastic products.
Boost Economy
Additionally, recycling creates jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries, contributing to local economies.
Polypropylene Advantages
Polypropylene is an excellent choice for good chemical resistance, and also has a melting point of 171 °C. PP is also low density compared to other plastics, and highly resistant to wear and tear. The density of PP is between 0.895 and 0.92 g/cm³.