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Methods of Recycling Plastic Chips

Americans toss more than 2 million plastic bottles every hour, according to Clean Air. Bottles made directly from the first round of plastic are called virgin PET. This is important to note. Virgin PET contains only polyethylene terephthalate, while plastic chips from recycled bottles contain small portions of pvc or other contaminants. Additionally, every time plastic chips are re-used, the original structure of the plastic molecule breaks down just a little bit more.

New Plastic Drink Containers
- While it may seem simple, creating new drink containers from old water bottles is a complex process. The plastic chips must come from virgin PET. In addition to being melted, the plastic chips are chemically broken down into their components. This is called depolymerization. Impurities are removed and the plastic is reassembled and sent to an extruder that forms the new bottles. Not only does this process remove pvc and other additives, it kills any bacteria or viruses that may be present on the original bottle. The whole process can take as little as 10 minutes for plastic chips to become a new bottle.
Non-Food Grade Plasic
- This is the more common use for recycled plastic chips. Since the plastic chips are rarely completely clear, it is easier to add dye and make the plastic bottles colored. Many shampoos, conditioners and household cleaning solutions are sold in bottles made from partially recycled material. But recycled plastic doesn't stop there. Pencil boxes, storage bins and even computer packaging are all part of the recycle loop. Plastic chips are transported to the plastics manufacturing plants where they are remelted on site, combined with virgin PET and formed into their new shapes.
Fabric
- Another use for plastic chips is fabric. Since most plastic chips are white or light tan, most recycled fabrics use heavy dyes to create bright vivid colors. To make recycled fabric, the plastic chips are melted and extruded into fine plastic filaments. These filaments are wound together to form thread or yard and finally woven into fabric. One of the more popular fabrics made from plastic chips is polar fleece.
Building Materials
- The most common methods of using plastic chips is in building materials. The plastic chips are melted and formed into planks or sheets. These pieces can be used just like lumber to build playgrounds, picnic equipment and weather-resistant signage. Any type of recyclable plastic can be used. There is little concern about pvc or additives when the plastic is used for bus benches, deck planking or parking lot stops.

Nature