Associate Editor Jared Paben has worked for Resource Recycling since December 2014. Most of his earlier career was spent as a reporter for the daily newspaper in Bellingham, Wash., but he also has experience working for the Oregon volunteerism commission and for Oregon nonprofits serving low-income populations. He can be contacted at [email protected].
Electronics and appliances present an attractive source for reclaimed plastics, but technical challenges can often inhibit recovery. Many of the e-plastics are black, which can make separation by polymer difficult.
A package of equipment from New Jersey-based Foam Cycle aims to help organizations, including municipalities, with their expanded polystyrene (EPS) recycling efforts.
By examining both transmissive and reflective light from objects, the ColorPlus-R optical sorter is able to identify the color of opaque objects, including black plastics.
Equipment from Dutch company Bollegraaf Recycling Solutions goes fishing at the head of the stream to remove films.
Optical sorters from Chinese company Hefei Angelon Electronics use the company’s proprietary software to achieve high-purity fractions based on color.
A densifier innovation aims to boost the cost-effectiveness of transporting EPS plastic for recycling. Continue Reading
A filter from Nordson Polymer Processing Systems approaches the task of removing contaminants from a melt stream in a unique way, reducing melt loss and extending the filter life. Continue Reading
An optical sorter platform from National Recovery Technologies (NRT) is shaped such that “bounce backs” of ejected materials have virtually been eliminated. Continue Reading
Biopharmaceutical production scrap consists of different polymers, multi-layer films and some hazardous materials. A recycling program is demonstrating that this tough-to-tackle stream doesn’t have to be destined for disposal.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government will ban a number of single-use plastic products and will support establishing extended producer responsibility for plastic items.