Currently, the UK has over 200,000 tonnes of plastics
currently going to landfill each year as a percentage of
shredder waste; mostly generated from the processing of End
of Life Vehicles. Approximately 12,000 tonnes of plastic
are recovered each year from the recycling of End of Life
Fridges. A further 200,000 tonnes of plastic material is
generated by Waste Electrical and Electronic.
Traditionally plastic recycling in the UK was based around
a fairly clean plastic product, consisting of a few readily
identifiable plastics in the form of plastic bottles, cups
or packaging. The key issues with plastic generated from
Vehicles, Fridges and Electrical Equipment is that it is
a mixture of many different plastics as well as other materials
such as metal. Mixed plastic, with metal contamination has
low, if any, market value and so is difficult to find sustainable
recycling routes for.
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The Service
For this reason, Sims Metal Management has developed a
plastics recycling line whose purpose is to separate
contaminating non-plastic material before upgrading
the remaining plastics into a more saleable product.
Working by a process of density separation, the process
upgrades plastics into the following mixtures:
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PVC Rich Material |
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A mixture of Polypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene
(PE) |
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A styrene based material containing High Impact Polystyrene
(HIPS) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) |
For a more detailed breakdown, please visit our plastics
product page
These plastic mixtures have negligible contaminants and
contain compatible plastic types so have a much higher
residual market value. As such our product sales team are
able to find sustainable markets for recycling for all
the material we recover.
Although specifically developed to recover plastic from
End of Life Vehicle, Fridge and Electrical Electronic Equipment,
the plant is capable of processing other plastic mixtures
and components with or without contaminant materials such
as metal. Please contact us to see how we might be able
to help you with your specific plastics recycling needs.
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Research and Development
Our research and development is continuing to develop
the recovery process and we are currently investigating methods
to further upgrade the styrene plastics into pure HIPS and
ABS. Meanwhile parallel research is developing a process
for identifying, separating and upgrading flame retardant
plastics.
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Location
The plastics recycling line and ongoing research
and development are based at our Centre for Recycling
excellence near Stratford-upon-Avon. This site, its
technology and plant exist for the recovery and upgrading
of materials not achieved by our other processes based
around the country.
Stratford is fed materials from our own and partner company
sites based around England and Wales, by a comprehensive
logistics system allowing us to offer a localised service
for your needs.
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