What is Scrap HDPE ?
Scrap HDPE is essentially odds and ends of HDPE from HDPE productions, and/or HDPE that has already been produced and subsequently used elsewhere. Scrap HDPE comes in many different forms, which are useful for various types of applications. Buying scrap HDPE is a great way to get cheap HDPE, especially if you purchase what is known as post consumer HDPE. Post consumer HDPE is HDPE that has already been used for consumer goods, and has since been discarded. Thousands of tonnes of post consumer HDPE are sent to landfills every year, which is a complete waste of useful manufacturing material, and also highly detrimental to the environment, so by making the choice to use scrap HDPE in your products, you are likely to be saving yourself some money, as well as protecting the environment.
Perhaps the most plentiful source of scrap HDPE, post consumer scrap HDPE can be purchased in bale form. Each bale consists of various HDPE products which have been cleaned and compressed into bales for ease of handling. This type of scrap HDPE may sometimes be processed somewhat by having the various product labels removed, and being sorted according to color. The result of this process are distinctive white opaque bales. The cheapest scrap HDPE is generally not sorted however, and the purchaser does all the sorting, cleaning, and label removing themselves.
Essentially, for most purchasers of scrap HDPE, there are two main types of scrap HDPE that are most advisably bought.
HDPE Baled Scrap
As has already been mentioned, baled HDPE scrap usually consists of HDPE bottles, or occasionally barrels. HDPE barrels are excellent candidates for scrap HDPE, and often come in fairly homogeneous colors, which makes for easier sorting. Most HDPE barrels are blue, black, yellow or white, with blue or black being the predominant colors.
You can purchase baled scrap that has been cleaned and sorted for you, or you can undertake this operation yourself. No matter which option you take, baled HDPE scrap will then need to be sorted, cleaned, and prepared before being made into HDPE regrind, which can be used as a raw material in a wide variety of HDPE products.
HDPE Regrind
HDPE regrind is essentially HDPE scrap that has gone through several processes to clean it, remove contaminants and pollutants, shred it, wash it, and finally make it ready for use in other applications. For a fuller explanation of the fascinating process of how HDPE regrind is made, refer to the accompanying article. HDPE regrind can be clear, colored, mixed, or sorted. Some manufacturers prefer to create their own regrind, whilst others like to purchase HDPE regrind directly and save themselves the trouble of the process.
Other forms of Scrap HDPE include:
HDPE bags – These are bags often used in supermarkets and department stores. They are an excellent source of scrap HDPE, and are often processed into HDPE regrind.
HDPE trimmings/ HDPE offcuts - Generally the left over HDPE product from the manufacturing of other products, this material is also highly suited for conversion into HDPE regrind.
Scrap HDPE is an equally viable material for production as freshly made HDPE. The only restrictions on using scrap HDPE come with regard to food products. Most governing bodies frown upon the use of recycled HDPE products being used in food packaging, however there are a myriad of other applications where using recycled HDPE isn’t only possible, it is encouraged. Due to its unique chemical make up, HDPE is highly suitable for being melted down and re-used, and it is relatively cost effective to do so.
How to Buy HDPE Scrap:
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