Recycling PET towards a circular economy
The concept of Circular Economy is on the agenda in many countries worldwide. Therefore, many companies have implemented or plan to implement strategies to contribute to the circular economy by using materials in ways that benefit the environment, people, and businesses. While many countries have vast experience in the processing and disposal of their waste, many regions still lack efficient recycling methods. This critical situation in some areas result in waste build-up and plastic contamination in nature and oceans.
Solution towards circular economy
Annually, the world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of solid waste, and the number is rising each year. 12% of which is plastic (datatopics.worldbank). A significant part of plastic waste is PET bottles (Polyethylene Terephthalate), whose decomposition in natural conditions can take hundreds of years. If every company aims towards a circular economy, this problem with waste will slowly begin to be solved. This means that recycling plastic bottles is a step towards a circular economy – designed to benefit the environment, society, and business. Today, there are technologies for plastic bottle recycling and popular brands like Vacurema Prime recycling, Starlinger RECOSTAR machine and others.
PET recycling process
PET resins obtained from plastic bottles are reused in the manufacturing of various polymer products. The technology of turning old bottles into raw materials again is of the highest importance. The process of recycling PET bottles is as follows:
- PET – Collected and delivered to the recycling plant.
- Sorting – PET is sorted from other waste materials.
- Crushing / Shredding – Sorted PET is reduced in size.
- Washing – This step cleans the shredded plastic to remove contamination.
- Centrifuge – The materials are thoroughly dried using a centrifuge.
- Sorting – PET is sorted by color
- Crystallization – The plastic undergoes drying to produce high-quality pellets.
- Extrusion – Melted at 270°C
- Granulation – Last process is forming identical granules the same size and weight.
Recycled PET is “estimated to lead the plastics recycled market…” due to its ability to be used in new PET products (globenewswire). This benefits not only businesses but also the environment and society.
Euro Machinery aims to offer superior quality second-hand PET bottle recycling machine
Euro Machinery is proud to offer quality second-hand machinery for recycling PET that can support businesses in the circular economy. In addition to plastic bottle recycling machines, Euro Machinery can provide your business with a range of recycling solutions for various types of plastics found in the market. We offer equipment such as shredders, granulators, agglomerators, compactors, balers and more.
Contact Euro Machinery for more information or check out our current recycling equipment for purchase.
