It’s a common misconception that you can’t recycle plastic. However, with over 50 years of experience working with different variants of this material such as bespoke acrylic and bespoke Perspex, we know everything there is to know about disposing of plastic correctly.
To help you identify which plastics can be recycled and how this can be done, our team at Hampshire Signs and Plastics has created this blog post.
Which plastics can be recycled?
Technically all plastics can be recycled. Plastic signs and splashbacks, for example, are usually long-lasting and durable so they can often be sold as an alternative to recycling them.
However, this isn’t always viable for businesses who need to dispose of plastic that has their logo or branding on.
In such a case, it is likely that recycling plastic is your best option.
Related articles from the Hampshire Plastics blog
As specialists in marine and boat plastics, engineering, and fabrication we regularly publish articles on our blog covering a range of topics.
Here is a handful we feel you will find interesting:
- How is plastic fabrication carried out?
- Why marine plastics are essential for your boat
- The benefits of bespoke motor yacht screens
- 5 reasons why plastic fabrication is the way to go
How is plastic recycled?
There are two key ways in which plastic is recycled. They are:
- Molecular recycling
- Mechanical recycling
Molecular recycling
Harder plastics such as acrylic can be reused through a process known as molecular recycling.
To summarise, this process involves taking a piece of acrylic and putting it into a pyrolysis unit.
This is a high-temperature unit that is used to break the acrylic up into its constituent parts.
Now you’re left with crude acrylic that can then go through an intricate process that removes any impurities that ultimately gives you a freshly recycled piece of acrylic.
Interested in the benefits of molecular recycling?
Find out more here.
Mechanical recycling
There are other ways in which plastics such as acrylic can be recycled, and this is through mechanical recycling.
This process sees a piece of acrylic be ground down until nothing is left bar little granules.
These granules can then be taken away to make new acrylic.
However, you have to be rather precise with how much force you use to break down the original piece of acrylic as you don’t want to break down the polymer as this has a direct effect on the quality of the new piece of recycled acrylic.
Looking to learn more about mechanical recycling?
Find out more here.
Related services
At Hampshire Plastics we offer a range of services.
Related to this article are:
Need to speak to a plastic fabrication or engineering expert?
If you need to recycle old plastic signage and replace it with a new product, contact Hampshire Plastics via sales@hspplastics.co.uk or call us today on 023 9248 6633
