Different types of plastic waste require different recycling machines. Choosing the right plastic waste machine needs to take into account several factors such as the material, shape, size, and condition of the waste. This article will introduce you to how to choose the most suitable recycling equipment by analyzing the characteristics of plastic waste.

Identifying Plastic Waste Is Key

Before choosing the right recycling machine, it is important to first fully understand your plastic waste. Here are a few key points that will help you accurately identify the type of waste so you can choose the best equipment.

1, What is your Waste Plastic Material Polymer Type?

The type of polymer of a plastic determines how it is processed for recycling. For example, plastics such as HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, PP, and ABS have different melt flow indices (MFI) and viscosities. These properties directly affect the configuration of the pelletizing system:

• Die head type: hydraulic die head is suitable for high viscosity materials, gear die head is more suitable for uniformly melted plastics.
• Méthode de pelletisation: Strand pelletizing is suitable for rigid plastics, and water ring pelletizing is suitable for flexible materials.

2, What are the Shape and Size of your Plastic Waste?

The shape and size of the waste material directly affect the way it is fed and handled. Example:

• Flakes or recycled material: can usually be fed directly into the extruder for processing.
• Rolls of film, and film bags: special feeding systems are required to prevent clogging.
• Pre-shredding of hard plastics, e.g. HDPE bottles: A shredding machine may be required to pre-process them.

3, What are the Origins and Conditions of Plastic Waste?

The source of the waste material (industrial or post-consumer waste) and the degree of cleanliness will also influence the choice of recycling machine:

• Post-industrial waste: usually cleaner and can go directly to pelletizing.
• Post-consumer dirty but washed and dried waste: Can be granulated directly.
• Unwashed waste: A complete washing and drying system is required to ensure that it can be further processed.

4, Consider Your Production Needs

The choice of plastic recycling machine also needs to be determined by your expected production capacity. For example, a small to medium-sized recycling plant may need equipment to process between 100-500kg/hour, while a large-scale production line will require equipment for 1,000kg/hour or more.

5, Provide Photos of Plastic Waste

To ensure that the recycling machine is a good match for your plastic waste, it is recommended that you provide detailed photographs of your plastic waste. With sample photos, equipment manufacturers can more accurately recommend suitable equipment and processes.

Common Types of Recycling Machine

Depending on the type of plastic waste and recycling needs, the following equipment can be selected:

• Crushing machine: crushes large pieces of plastic or hard materials into small particles or fragments for subsequent processing.
• Cleaning equipment: used to remove dirt and grease from the surface of the waste material.
• Drying machine: such as centrifugal dewatering machines and drying ducts, used to reduce the moisture content of the material and ensure that it is clean and dry.
• Granulation machine: suitable for processing treated plastics into pellets for re-production of injection or blow molded products.