Earth Day, celebrated each year on April 22nd, is a global event that shines a light on environmental issues and inspires action to protect our planet. For companies like Coda Plastics, Earth Day is an opportunity to showcase our commitment to sustainability and responsible plastic use.
At Coda Plastics, we are committed to manufacturing products that align with our clients' green goals. This can include manufacture of products using Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic.
Plastic is an incredibly versatile and valuable material. Did you know that many plastics can be recycled numerous times? Plastic is ultimately derived from oil, but recycled plastic can also be used as a source material. Here at Coda Plastics, we reuse plastic that might otherwise have ended up in landfill. We recycle our own plastic trimmings, we accept waste plastic from other manufacturers, and we use plastic that has already been through a consumer cycle at least once.
Reusing plastic is a complex process due to the various polymer types involved. Here's a breakdown of the key steps in transforming post-consumer plastic back into a usable product:
- Step One: Sorting – The first step is meticulously sorting used plastic into different polymer categories. Separation is crucial for effective recycling. Traditionally, this was done by hand, but modern technology allows for large-scale sorting using sophisticated spectrophotometric distribution technology.
- Step Two: Shredding – Once sorted, the plastics are shredded and cleaned. Cleaning removes impurities like leftover labels from plastic bottles. Colour separation may also occur at this stage.
- Step Three: Pelleting – The shredded plastic is melted into a liquid state and then extruded into pellets. Imagine forcing the liquid polymer through a small hole – the resulting strands are then chopped into pellets. These clean pellets are then ready to be reused in our manufacturing process.
Our day-to-day processes involve working with various polymers daily to create innovative plastic products, so we recognise the immense value of this material. While plastic pollution is a serious concern (and not just on Earth Day), we believe the problem lies with improper disposal rather than with the material itself. We strongly oppose plastic ending up in landfills or oceans – it's a valuable resource that can be recycled and shouldn't be wasted!
Coda Plastics is an ethical company with a responsible approach to plastic disposal. You can call us on +44 1692 501020 or email sales@coda-plastics.co.uk to discuss your PCR options.
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