Plastics Recycling Council Proposes New Specs

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc.’s (ISRI) Plastics Recycling Council (PRC) has proposed new specifications for mixed bottles and rigid containers. The proposal was slated to be considered by ISRI’s board of directors at the Oct. 20, 2011, meeting.

In addition to recommending caps, enclosures and labels be considered acceptable in collection programs and that product need not be washed, the PRC has suggested the following changes:
 

• Mixed Unsorted 1-7 Bottles and Containers. This grade primarily consists of PET bottles and HDPE bottles from residential recycling programs in which no positive sorting of bottles has occurred and only mixed bulky rigid plastics have been removed. Acceptable materials include soda bottles, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, yogurt cups and other food and beverage containers. Non-bottle containers may consist of cups, trays, clamshells and tubs. Glass bottles, tin and aluminum cans are not allowed in the grade. The contamination level must be less than 2 percent. Contaminants include bulky rigid plastics, such as crates, buckets, pails, toys, furniture, etc., and non-specified plastic or non-plastic material.
• Mixed Sorted 3-7 Bottles and Containers. This grade primarily consists of mixed bottles and containers from residential recycling programs in which most of the PET bottles, HDPE bottles and mixed bulky rigid plastics have been positively sorted. The grade may include PET and HDPE but primarily consists of all leftover plastics materials remaining after they have been picked out. Non-bottle containers may consist of items such as cups, trays, clamshells and tubs. Glass bottles and tin or aluminum cans are not allowed. Products include mixed household items and come from post-consumer items. Contamination levels must be less than 2 percent. Other contaminants include bulky rigid plastics and non-specified plastic or non-plastic material.
• Mixed Bulky Rigid Plastics. The grade primarily consists of non-bottle PE and PP bulky rigid plastic typically collected in a residential recycling MRF (material recovery facility). This grade should not contain any mixed 1-7 bottles and containers. Products come from post-consumer sources. The loads must contain less than 2 percent of non-specified plastic or non-plastic material.

The PRC also is asking ISRI’s board to eliminate the matrix and current numbering scheme developed for the specifications circular. The council says it has been determined that it is not adequate and has posed problems in categorizing proposed mixed bale specifications. Additionally, all “legacy” plastic scrap specifications included in the plastic scrap specifications circular will be eliminated.

Specifically, the council has requested that ISRI’s board make the following changes to the plastics specifications currently included in the Guidelines for Plastic Scrap: P-2011:

• Rename “100 – PET Mixed 70/30 Natural Green” to “PET Mixed Bottles;”
• Rename “200 – HDPE Mixed Color” to “HDPE Mixed Color Bottles;”
• Rename “201 – HDPE Natural Bottles (Unpigmented)” to “HDPE Natural Bottles (Unpigmented);” and 
• Eliminate the Baled Recycled Plastic Commercial Guidelines Coding System and the Baled Plastic Material Identification Codes associated with the coding system. 

The PRC also has requested the deleltion of the the following plastic scrap specifications that are included in the Guidelines for Plastic Scrap: 2011:

• Commercial Guideline Baled Recycled Plastic Standard P-300 through 302;
• Commercial Guideline Baled Recycled Plastic Standard P-400 through 402;
• Commercial Guideline Baled Recycled Plastic Standard P-500 through 502;
• Commercial Guideline Baled Recycled Plastic Standard P-600 through 602;
• Commercial Guideline Baled Recycled Plastic Standard P-700 through 702; and
• Commercial Guideline Baled Recycled Plastic Standard P-000 through 002.