Managing contamination in recycled plastic is a challenge within the plastics industry. A recycled plastic manufacturer must make sure that the materials they handle meet quality and safety standards before distribution. This is especially important in countries such as Thailand, where plastic waste management is closely tied to industries like packaging and manufacturing.
Contamination in recycled plastic
Contamination begins during the waste collection phase. Mixed waste streams often include different resin types, other non-plastic materials, and impurities such as food residues. Thailand, as a hub of recycling, encounters various sources of contamination due to its reliance on diverse material recovery systems and informal waste collectors. These factors make careful sorting a critical step in mitigating contamination early on.
Sorting
The first step toward reducing plastic contamination is accurate sorting. Advanced sorting technologies, such as infrared scanners and air separation systems, are becoming widely adopted. Yet, in Thailand’s recycling sector, human sorting remains a significant part of the process, in part because labor is still cheap. Addressing inefficiencies at this stage can prevent contamination from becoming embedded in later recycling phases.
Cleaning & preparation
Thorough cleaning of used plastics is another crucial step in preventing contamination. During this phase, plastics are washed to remove labels, adhesives, and traces of contaminants. For Thailand, where different industries contribute to the recycling flow, the type of cleaning required varies. For instance, food-grade plastics demand stricter sanitization compared to plastics destined for construction materials.
Recycling output
Even minor contamination can significantly affect the properties of recycled plastic, rendering it unsuitable for some applications. Recycled plastics contaminated with incompatible resin types or foreign materials may have reduced durability or stability when processed into new products. Manufacturing hubs in Thailand must address this issue to maintain their prominence in producing reliable plastic materials.
One way to combat contamination is through collaboration between government agencies, businesses, and local communities in Thailand. Rollout of public awareness campaigns about proper waste segregation can reduce contamination at the source. Additionally, investing in technology and infrastructure for recycling plants can help manage contamination more effectively.
Global quality standards
Quality assurance for recycled plastics is tied to international standards that outline specific requirements for certain applications. Thai manufacturers aiming to meet these criteria must implement robust inspection practices. Regular testing for contaminants can ensure that their recycled plastic products remain competitive and suitable for use across various industries.
Innovations in the recycling industry also offer potential solutions. Chemical recycling, for example, has emerged as a way to deal with contamination by breaking plastics down to their molecular levels. Thailand’s research initiatives and industrial partners are exploring these methods, which can transform low-quality plastic waste into new high-quality materials.
