Plastics

Dispelling the myth

The reason recycling companies focus on number two and number four plastics is because these are recyclable safely and effectively without added safety equipment. After cleaning and disinfecting these can be heated and reformed into any product with basic equipment. When discussing the heating of plastics we are not talking about open flames as burning any plastic can release harmful fumes. If you can cook a pizza you can recycle these plastics. The most common of the two plastics is the number two variety or HDPE and will be focusing on this one from this point. You will find HDPE most often used as a container for detergents or cleaners and over-the-counter medication bottles as it is impervious to most chemicals. Shaping and cutting these plastics can be done with any woodworking tools. After heating HDPE to 400 F (204 C) you can reform it into any desirable shape. It will not be a liquid but more like a putty so a form and pressure are required. Do not heat any higher for any reason as you will burn the plastic and risk fire. Use caution when handling heated material, it is extremely sticky and will stick to the skin causing severe burns. Parchment paper should be used to keep the plastic from sticking to everything.

Getting started

Wood or other materials can be used as simple forms for HDPE. There are many ways to recycle plastic at home, I will describe my process here; After collecting the material for several weeks, it gets premelted in an old toaster oven and formed into a solid block. After this cools completely it is then cut with a saw into one-inch cubes for later use. Using mostly scrap materials a benchtop injection press can be built for under $200. Manufacturing molds for the injection press requires more advanced skills. But can be done with tools available in most garages. The jacks were the most expensive part of the one pictured at left. The elctronics were ordered through ebay for under $75.

Aluminum makes great mold material and is readily available and often freely donated. Every road, trail, ditch bank in the world has free aluminum littered throughout. With tools available in a well-stocked garage or shop a small furnace can be built for minimal cost to melt drink cans into solid mold blocks of aluminum using charcoal or propane. Aluminum is a soft enough metal to be cut with most wood-working tools.

HDPE is easily injected into any shape or shape. Look around you what is it that you need or want that is not offered on the market. What has broken recently that was useful but you cannot get a replacement part? HPDE is a strong and versatile material that can be used in any natural environment. When you use the packaging material you have purchased you help not only yourself but the earth.

You paid for these materials, USE THEM!