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Recycling

We are very often asked to explain the effect of d₂w^™ additives on the recycling process. Whilst the broad answer is a very positive one, there are many different and complex permutations of both input feedstock and output materials which need to be individually considered.

Before even thinking about these different situations, it is important always to verify if the material being reviewed will actually be recycled or if it is a material capable of being recycled. Even though there is considerable worldwide enthusiasm to recycle more, in many parts of the world only a small proportion of total waste plastics are recycled. In a similar vein, an even smaller proportion of post consumer waste is currently being recycled and therefore there are very many cases involving consumer products where recycling degradable materials may be of academic interest but has no practical significance.

In any case, recycled plastics cannot be used in applications involving direct food contact.

1. Making Recycled plastics degradable
   d₂w^™ additive can be added to recycled plastic or plastic containing any proportion of recycled materials in exactly the same way as it is added to new, virgin, materials and this will make the resultant plastics degradable.
   If the output recycled material is made entirely or largely from degradable plastic input materials then, depending on its intended use and desired useful life, the amount and type of d₂w^™ additive required may need adjustment.
   
   
2. Recycling degradable Post Industrial waste
   Under this heading there are a number of situations potentially involved. The variables to consider include:
   • Is the input recyclate to be used to produce a degradable or a non-degradable material and what type of material is being made, for what purpose and with what desired useful life?
   • How 'old' is the degradable material being recycled? Is it already brittle?
   • What proportion of the 'new' output material will be made up of recycled degradable material?
   • How is the degradable input material added i.e. is it added evenly throughout the mix or is it added in batches intermittently through the run? Are any process aids being added?
   These questions alone will demonstrate the complexity in providing a simple answer as to the effect of recycling. In order to provide a confident answer, each case needs to be considered individually.
   
   
3. Recycling degradable Post Consumer waste
   As mentioned above, the extent to which post consumer waste is recycled is extremely limited in most places. Other considerations under this heading include:
   • Is the input recyclate to be used to produce a degradable or a non-degradable material and what type of material is being made, for what purpose and with what desired useful life?
   • What proportion of the waste material is degradable?
   • How 'old' is the degradable material being recycled? Is it already brittle?
   • What proportion of the 'new' output material will be made up of recycled degradable material?
   • How is the degradable input material added i.e. is it added evenly throughout the mix or is it added in batches intermittently through the run? Are any process aids being added?
   As with post industrial waste above, these questions demonstrate the complexity in providing a simple answer as to the effect of recycling. As before, in order to provide a confident answer each case needs to be considered individually.

Summary

Notwithstanding the importance of the questions listed above, in all cases the objective is either a) ensure degradability of the output material or b) ensure that the output material is not degradable.

• Ensuring degradability in an output material is comparatively straightforward. The key significance of the questions above is a) to assess the amount of additional pro-degradent and process aids required and b) to ensure homogeneity of the mix of recyclate and 'new' materials.
• Ensuring that the output material is not degradable is a little more complex. Oxo-biodegradable plastics when first manufactured contain an appropriate amount of process aids to make the products suitable for purpose. Some, if not all, of these process aids are consumed in the course either of the initial extrusion or subsequent heating during recycling. In any case, at the end of its useful life the degradable material may be recycled, either alone or as a blend with commercial resins and processing stabilisers. The latter are normally hindered phenols, which are different from the stabilisers in some oxo-biodegradable plastics, and these can in most cases be used to ensure a stable, non-degradable output material.