Plastics : Recycled Plastic Usage Guide - When to Use and When to Avoid -

 

Appropriate Applications for Recycled Plastics:

Non-Critical Applications:

Construction materials:

• Outdoor furniture
• Decking
• Fencing
• Landscaping materials
• Non-load bearing components

Industrial Products:

• Shipping pallets
• Storage containers 
• Cable insulation - Industrial films 
• Protective packaging

Consumer Goods:

• Trash bins 
• Recycling containers 
• Garden tools 
• Outdoor planters 
• Storage containers (non-food)

Secondary Packaging:

• Transport packaging
• Outer wrapping
• Bulk containers
• Industrial shrink wrap
• Protective covers

Low-Risk Applications:

Recommended Uses:
- Office supplies
- Decorative items
- Non-critical parts
- Surface coverings
- Temporary structures

Applications to Avoid Using Recycled Plastics:

Food Contact Applications:

• Direct food containers
• Food processing equipment
• Beverage containers
• Food preparation tools
• Food storage systems

Medical/Healthcare:

Strictly Avoid:
- Medical devices
- Pharmaceutical packaging
- Healthcare equipment
- Laboratory supplies
- Sterile containers

Children's Products:

• Toys
• Baby items
• School supplies
• Sports equipment
• Child care items

Safety-Critical Applications:

Never Use In:
- Personal protective equipment
- Safety barriers
- Critical load-bearing parts
- Emergency equipment
- Safety containment

Decision Matrix for Recycled Plastic Use:

Risk Assessment Factors:

This matrix helps in:

• Evaluating material selection risks
• Making decisions about component design
• Determining necessary testing requirements
• Establishing quality control measures
• Setting appropriate safety margins

The "Avoid," "Evaluate," and "Acceptable" categories help teams quickly assess whether a particular design choice needs to be reconsidered, requires further analysis, or is acceptable as-is.

Material Quality Considerations:

Virgin Material Required: 

• Safety-critical applications 
• Food contact - Medical devices 
• Children's products 
• Regulatory compliance

 Recycled Material Acceptable: 

• Non-critical applications
• Temporary structures 
• Decorative elements 
• Secondary packaging 
• Industrial products

Recycled Plastic Quality Guidelines:

Material Grade Requirements:

Grade A (High Quality):
- Single source
- Known history
- Minimal contamination
- Consistent properties
- Full traceability

Grade B (Medium Quality):
- Mixed sources
- Partial history
- Some contamination
- Variable properties
- Limited traceability

Grade C (Low Quality):
- Unknown source
- No history
- High contamination
- Inconsistent properties
- No traceability

Testing Requirements:

Mandatory Tests:

1. Chemical composition
2. Physical properties
3. Mechanical strength
4. Contamination levels
5. Degradation assessment

Regulatory Considerations:

Compliance Requirements:

Food Contact:
- FDA regulations
- EU Food Contact
- National standards
- Migration limits
- Safety certifications

Non-Food Applications:
- Environmental regulations
- Safety standards
- Industry specifications
- Local requirements

Documentation:

Required records:

• Source verification
• Processing history
• Test results
• Quality certifications
• Compliance declarations

Best Practices for Implementation:

Material Selection Process:

Assessment Steps:

a. Identify application requirements
b. Evaluate risk factors
c. Check regulatory requirements
d. Verify material specifications
e. Conduct trials

Quality Control:

a. Source verification
b. Processing controls
c. Testing protocols
d. Performance monitoring
e. Documentation

Application Validation:

Validation Steps:
1. Prototype testing
2. Performance evaluation
3. Environmental testing
4. Long-term stability
5. Quality assurance

Environmental Impact Assessment:

Environmental Benefits:

Positive Impacts:

• Reduced virgin material use 
• Lower carbon footprint
• Waste reduction 
• Resource conservation 
• Energy savings

Environmental Risks:

Potential Issues:

• Degradation products 
• Microplastic generation
• Chemical leaching 
• End-of-life disposal 
• Contamination risks

Economic Considerations:

Cost Factors:

Cost Analysis:

• Lower material costs 
• Reduced environmental impact 
• Higher quality control costs 
• Increased testing requirements 
• Variable supply costs

Value Assessment:

Value Metrics:

• Material cost savings 
• Processing costs 
• Quality control costs 
• Compliance costs 
• Risk management costs