Film recycling - how does it work? What do you need to know?
Ecology
12 January 2023
Film is a material that is manufactured from non-ferrous metal as well as plastic. Film recycling is a complex process that requires the use of state-of-the-art technology. How does it work and what is important to know?
Is the film recyclable?
Virtually any type of film can be recovered through the recycling process and used to make new materials. The recycling process consists of:
- sorting,
- transfer of material to the shredder,
- handing over the plastic for washing,
- cutting the plastic into small pieces using a machine,
- drying and melting of the raw material,
- cut by the machine and release of the finished goods.
Although the sorting plant is coping with the separation of poorly sorted waste by city residents, the problem with waste being separated into the wrong bins is growing. Food foil, like aluminium foil, is mostly dumped in the mixed waste bin. This is a mistake, as both materials should go in the plastic bin marked yellow.
Why is film recycling so important?
Many people find it difficult to give up the use of plastic bags because of their practical use. The recycling of plastic film is of great importance for the sake of a clean environment. It is important to realise that one small plastic bag can take up to 400 years to decompose. What's more, film that does not pass the recycling procedure can cause microplastics in the soil as well as in the waters.
As a consequence, this can contribute to the consumption of products that have soaked up some degree of plastic from the earth and seas. This in turn can have a negative impact on the environment. InPost is well aware of how important clean air is for our humanity. That is why it applies a sustainable development strategy. In its operations, the company reduces CO2, using modern technologies, as well as Paczkomat®, which reduces harmful emissions by up to 75%.
Film recycling - what can be recovered from used film?
Aluminium foil is mostly recycled in the form of a soiled material on which food residues can often be found. Unfortunately, this makes it difficult to segregate it and, therefore, to recycle it, which could give a second life to the product. Recycled clean aluminium foil allows it to be used for products such as aluminium cans. One type of plastic that can be reused in the recycling process is stretch - agricultural film. This is an airtight material usually made up of seven layers.
When agricultural film is recycled, the result is products such as bags or rubbish bags, for example. Recycling of stretch film not only allows new items to be generated from it, but the processing also supports the environment and eliminates the problem of unused plastic. Recycled bubble wrap can also be recovered in another form. It is a good idea to recycle polyethylene film because of the plastic and fossil fuel used in its production.
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