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Recycling of The LDPE Foil
LDPE foil recycling – protect our planet
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a thermoplastic material, commonly used in our households, trade, and industry. Find out how to identify the LDPE foil, where to discard it, and what its recycling looks like.
What is LDPE?
LDPE stands for polyethylene characterised by lower density than that of other popular plastics. It is thinner, more flexible, more transparent, and has a lower melting temperature than its equivalents.
The most important properties of LDPE are as follows:
- Low density;
- Durability and flexibility;
- High impact strength;
- Resistance to acids, bases, oils, and many other chemicals;
- High water resistance – it does not absorb water easily;
- No emissions of harmful chemicals, which makes it a perfect packaging material for foodstuffs.
The LDPE foil is easy to identify – it is smooth, glossy, and it does not rustle when touched, unlike other types of foil.
Collection – the first step in recycling. Where to discard the LDPE foil?
The first stage of the LDPE recycling is its collection. This process consists in collecting used LDPE foil from different locations.
Suppliers of the raw material are companies involved in collecting recyclable materials from the market.
Another source of the raw material for production are chain stores and individual points of sale (shops). In this case, the foil is collected for recycling directly where the waste has been generated, with no intermediaries.
Another location where the raw material can be obtained are industrial plants serviced by recyclers, including such companies as Eko-Wtór.
Municipal utilities constitute an additional source of the waste material, as they have plastics coming from – among other sources – selective waste collection from households.
However, you don’t need to be involved in industrial activities to be able to contribute to plastic recycling. If you want to segregate plastic waste correctly, discard used packaging to yellow bins for recyclables. This way not only will you relieve the environment, but you will also reduce the amount of foil reaching landfills.
Sorting – getting rid of impurities
Sorting of the input material is the next important step in recycling. Impurities such as cartons, paper labels, transport residues (wooden or metal elements), as well as other types of foil, i.e. all non-recyclable materials, are rejected. This process is carried out in two possible ways:
- Manual sorting, requiring workers’ precision and involvement;
- Use of automated systems, equipped with sensors able to distinguish between different types of plastics.
Whatever the method, only polyethylene foil reaches the recycling line after sorting.
Processing – from foil to granules
When the LDPE has been sorted, it is time to start processing it. The plastic is ground to the desired fraction – the ground foil in the form of flakes is subjected to the processes of separation, cleaning, and melting, until a semi-liquid mass is obtained, subsequently melted into granules – a raw material for the production of new items.
Granules form the LDPE recycling are characterised by high quality and applicability in the production of various plastic products, such as packaging or pipes.
This way, the sustainable process of LDPE recycling helps to reduce the amount of plastic waste and allows to build a more ecological future.
Production – used packaging (foil) gets a new life
Polyethylene granules obtained in the recycling process are used in different industries, from packaging through construction and agriculture. Where are you most likely to come across recycled items? Even in your own home – they are used in the production of bin liners, agricultural foils, or plastic pipes.
End of life and closing the loop
Interestingly, the LDPE recycling does not finish with the production of new items. When recycled polyethylene produces are used and worn, they can be collected and recycled again.
And this step contributes to building a long-term sustainable circular economy. It makes it possible to reuse the LDPE foil, which is of key importance for the reduction of waste and protection of our environment.
Foil recycling is your best bet!
Recycling of this foil is an important step towards building a more sustainable circular economy, which reduces the negative environmental impact. This is what bubble wrap is made from, this is the raw material for bottle caps used for packing the products you buy or order.