How is plastic recycled?

Sustainable Plastic Solutions (SPS), located in Hensley Park, Victoria, Australia, is one of Australia's leading recycling facilities. Here, they convert plastic waste into a high-quality, recycled material. One such waste stream that they recycle is a material called slip sheets.

What Are Slip Sheets?

Slip sheets are an increasingly popular alternative to pallets, particularly in warehouses and shipping applications. Typically around 0.5mm thick, they are used to support palletized loads during transport and storage. Thanks to their low cost, durability, and lightweight design, they have become a preferred choice in various industries. Slip sheets are often made from food-grade plastic, as they are widely used for transporting frozen food items in shipping containers. However, due to their single-use nature in food-contact applications, these sheets are disposed of after each use, creating an opportunity for efficient recycling.

The Recycling Process at SPS

The journey of these slip sheets begins at Melbourne's port, where they are collected and sent to Sustainable Plastic Solutions. Here, they process the slip sheets into a high-quality recycled material through the following steps:

1. Cleaning and Shredding: The collected slip sheets are thoroughly cleaned and shredded into chunks measuring approximately 30–50mm.
2. Granulation: The shredded plastic is granulated into flakes no larger than 5mm.
3. Material Enhancement: These flakes are mixed with UV stabilizers and pigments to enhance durability and allow for color customization.
4. Extrusion: The mixture is heated until molten and extruded into spaghetti-like strands, which are then cut into pellets smaller than 5mm.

The result is a high-grade recycled plastic containing over 96% reclaimed material, with the additives ensuring long-lasting performance and superior quality.

From Pellets to Versatile Recycled Plastic Sheets

At The Plasticians, we take these recycled plastic pellets and transform them into durable sheet materials in varying thicknesses: 6mm, 10mm, and 20mm. By applying heat and compression, we produce versatile sheets suitable for a wide range of applications.

Our recycled plastic sheets have been used in diverse industries, from creating wear parts for tractors to crafting modern office table tops. The potential uses for this material are virtually limitless.

Explore The Plasticians

Is your business looking to make a bold, sustainable statement? Browse our portfolio here to see the possibilities, and submit an enquiry here. Our team will get back to you within 48 hours to discuss bringing your ideas to life!