Results 1 to 10 of 10

Plastic Recycling

| Scrap Metal Tips and Advice
  1. #1
    406Refining started this thread.
    406Refining's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Billings, MT
    Posts
    253
    Thanks
    317
    Thanked 397 Times in 148 Posts

    Plastic Recycling

    Hey everyone. Hope you're all doing good. I'm in the process of designing and building a electronics shredding line to process electronics more quickly. I almost reached reached the point in January where I got more stuff in that I could possibly process through hand disassembly. Fortunately, a few contracts fell through that I was going to get for this year so I'm not completely overwhelmed.....yet.

    Seeing what's come in so far this year really has me concerned with the sheer volume. I have a market for everything except the scrap plastics and I am legally allowed to landfill all plastics. Unfortunately, this means that I am cutting out almost every college that has a no-landfill policy. For those that do a lot with shredding up ewaste have you come across a good scrap plastics buyer? The plan would be to have the material be metal free and separated so there's none of the clear plastics. I've contacted several of the plastic recyclers, but they won't give me even a ballpark price per pound. I know that the computer plastics market isn't doing too well, but if there's a way that I can recycle it (even if it's $0.01/lb or free) vs. landfilling it I would definitely like to move in that direction.

    Anyhow, any help would be greatly appreciated!


  2. #2
    kss's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    May 2019
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    839
    Thanks
    465
    Thanked 715 Times in 403 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by 406Refining View Post
    Hey everyone. Hope you're all doing good. I'm in the process of designing and building a electronics shredding line to process electronics more quickly. I almost reached reached the point in January where I got more stuff in that I could possibly process through hand disassembly. Fortunately, a few contracts fell through that I was going to get for this year so I'm not completely overwhelmed.....yet.

    Seeing what's come in so far this year really has me concerned with the sheer volume. I have a market for everything except the scrap plastics and I am legally allowed to landfill all plastics. Unfortunately, this means that I am cutting out almost every college that has a no-landfill policy. For those that do a lot with shredding up ewaste have you come across a good scrap plastics buyer? The plan would be to have the material be metal free and separated so there's none of the clear plastics. I've contacted several of the plastic recyclers, but they won't give me even a ballpark price per pound. I know that the computer plastics market isn't doing too well, but if there's a way that I can recycle it (even if it's $0.01/lb or free) vs. landfilling it I would definitely like to move in that direction.

    Anyhow, any help would be greatly appreciated!

    I have no help or input on the plastics front...... but post some pics of that electronics line if you get a chance! Super interesting.

    I do know, that the landfill by me will take all clean plastics of certain types, in any amount, for free. Im thinking ABS plastics or whatever is on most electronics qualifies/is accepted in that system, but they do take it and recycle it at my landfill (they don't just landfill it)

    Your state may maintain a list of plastic recyclers as well, my state does....

    https://www.chestercountyswa.org/Doc...--81117?bidId=
    Last edited by kss; 02-17-2021 at 05:00 PM.

  3. #3
    mthomasdev's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Apr 2012
    Location
    pittsfield, ma
    Posts
    1,300
    Thanks
    348
    Thanked 1,532 Times in 704 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by 406Refining View Post
    Hey everyone. Hope you're all doing good. I'm in the process of designing and building a electronics shredding line to process electronics more quickly. I almost reached reached the point in January where I got more stuff in that I could possibly process through hand disassembly. Fortunately, a few contracts fell through that I was going to get for this year so I'm not completely overwhelmed.....yet.

    Seeing what's come in so far this year really has me concerned with the sheer volume. I have a market for everything except the scrap plastics and I am legally allowed to landfill all plastics. Unfortunately, this means that I am cutting out almost every college that has a no-landfill policy. For those that do a lot with shredding up ewaste have you come across a good scrap plastics buyer? The plan would be to have the material be metal free and separated so there's none of the clear plastics. I've contacted several of the plastic recyclers, but they won't give me even a ballpark price per pound. I know that the computer plastics market isn't doing too well, but if there's a way that I can recycle it (even if it's $0.01/lb or free) vs. landfilling it I would definitely like to move in that direction.

    Anyhow, any help would be greatly appreciated!
    Guy I buy from and sell to does plastic. He was doing 10 to 20 thousand pounds a year, baling and selling ABS. He is starting to work with a new company and will be grinding ABS and PC/ABS. Prices he told me are good and company pays shipping if he has 10k pounds or more.

  4. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by mthomasdev:


  5. #4
    matador's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    We purchase laptop computers and many components for greater than scrap value. We offer a shipping reimbursement program.replies

    Member since
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Big Wonderful Wyoming
    Posts
    2,310
    Thanks
    1,813
    Thanked 3,204 Times in 1,450 Posts
    What worried me with plastic when I was doing E-Scrap was just how much of the stuff you had to have to ship it. I assume you're looking at buying a baler and storing a LOT of the stuff in waiting times? If you need that baler, we have an old Massey 124 we're not using. I'm sure that'll work, right?

    I think the problem for you will be just the storage space for all the plastic you'll have to sit on more than I think it will be in the shredding line.

    ------

    On another note, when I come up there, I've been working on a project that will change part of your MTSV business a LOT. I have it almost done, but haven't had the desire to go outside and work on it when it's 10 below. Also, I'm still catching up on past lots, so there's that too. I've been running so much these last couple weeks that I almost expect to look down and see my boots on fire.
    More than Scrap Value Shipment Tips: http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/scrap...tml#post242349

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to matador for This Post:

    kss

  7. #5
    hills's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    1,351
    Thanks
    797
    Thanked 1,276 Times in 721 Posts
    It's not the best answer, but a lot of plastic here is being used as incinerator fuel to make electricity. We've even been importing recycled plastics from Ireland.

    Technically ... it's not landfilling.

    Hard to say but it might be the wave of the future.

  8. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by hills:


  9. #6
    mthomasdev's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Apr 2012
    Location
    pittsfield, ma
    Posts
    1,300
    Thanks
    348
    Thanked 1,532 Times in 704 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by matador View Post
    What worried me with plastic when I was doing E-Scrap was just how much of the stuff you had to have to ship it. I assume you're looking at buying a baler and storing a LOT of the stuff in waiting times? If you need that baler, we have an old Massey 124 we're not using. I'm sure that'll work, right?

    I think the problem for you will be just the storage space for all the plastic you'll have to sit on more than I think it will be in the shredding line.

    ------

    On another note, when I come up there, I've been working on a project that will change part of your MTSV business a LOT. I have it almost done, but haven't had the desire to go outside and work on it when it's 10 below. Also, I'm still catching up on past lots, so there's that too. I've been running so much these last couple weeks that I almost expect to look down and see my boots on fire.
    Would be interested to hear about that project.

    You should consider a new pair of boots. When I get off my butt, you will have a LARGE lot!!

    As for weights on plastic, the company my friend is dealing with will take less than 10K, but he pays shipping, over 10K and they pay. They said the gaylord size they use holds about 1000 pounds of granulated.

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to mthomasdev for This Post:


  11. #7
    matador's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    We purchase laptop computers and many components for greater than scrap value. We offer a shipping reimbursement program.replies

    Member since
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Big Wonderful Wyoming
    Posts
    2,310
    Thanks
    1,813
    Thanked 3,204 Times in 1,450 Posts
    Sometime you’ll need to tell me about what’s coming in that lot so I can get all set up. That’s one of the nice things about modular test benches- a half day and I can switch over to test whatever comes in.

    As for my ideas, there are actually two of them. The first one is on-site RAM testing. As much as New England is beautiful in the fall, I don’t think I’m going to drive that far

    The second idea is a multicasting system so I can push through computers faster. I’ve always done everything by hand, but I just can’t keep up doing it that way. Bringing some electronic muscle into the mix should help a lot. That’s the big secret, but it’s not done yet. I hope to have it up and running sometime in March

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to matador for This Post:


  13. #8
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    2,072
    Thanks
    615
    Thanked 2,445 Times in 1,092 Posts
    You can purchase a small plastic extrusion machine for under $5,000.00 that will make filament from recycled plastic for use in the ever popular 3D printers.

    ABS is the most popular plastic used not sure what the more flexible weed eater line is made from.


  14. #9
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    May 2022
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    1
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Hi, are you still looking for a buyer of plastic? My company deals with all different types of plastic and can offer competitive pricing.

  15. #10
    gorven's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    402
    Thanks
    913
    Thanked 495 Times in 201 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by SolutionSource View Post
    Hi, are you still looking for a buyer of plastic? My company deals with all different types of plastic and can offer competitive pricing.
    Post on the buyers forum your pricing and minimum requirements Im sure many of us here are looking for a plastic buyer


  16. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. plastic recycling in CA
      By kinipela in forum Non Metal Recycling
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 07-07-2014, 07:27 AM
    2. Plastic or glass recycling???
      By Cole in forum Non Metal Recycling
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 07-29-2013, 09:32 AM
    3. Plastic Recycling - Something to keep an eye on
      By Craasher in forum General Electronics Recycling
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 01-17-2013, 01:54 PM
    4. recycling plastic in ri/ma?
      By ruben23 in forum Non Metal Recycling
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 09-06-2012, 07:48 PM

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook