Mechanical PCR: A technology that mechanically recycles post-consumer plastic waste through processes such as sorting, grinding, cleaning, and pelletizing, resulting in the production of plastic pellets. Common standards for this process include GRS 4.0 (Global Recycled Standard) and RCS 2.0 (Recycled Claim Standard), with UL 2809 emerging as a verification standard for recycled content.
Types of recycling processes:
Industrial Post-Industrial Recycling (PIR): Recycling of plastic waste generated within industrial processes.
Post-Consumer Recycling (PCR): Recycling of plastic waste generated by consumers.
Closed Loop Recycling (CLP): Recycling process that aims to keep materials within a closed loop system.
Ocean Plastic / Ocean-Bound Plastic (OBP): Plastic waste that has the potential to enter the ocean, including potential OBP, navigational OBP, coastal OBP, and fishing gear.
Chemical PCR: Chemical recycling of plastic waste involves altering the chemical structure of the waste through processes such as decomposition, gasification, or depolymerization to obtain plastic monomers for re-polymerization. The resulting material possesses similar mechanical properties and can be used directly or for color matching applications.
Chemical recycling : circular, CRC-MB: Processing of recyclable materials derived from petrochemical sources, such as waste textiles, discarded tires, and CO2. These materials are mechanically and chemically processed to be reused repeatedly.
Bio-based: Materials derived from renewable natural resources such as corn, sugarcane, rapeseed, and castor oil. They are produced through biological, chemical, and physical methods, contributing to sustainable utilization of the environment and reducing carbon emissions associated with petrochemical pollution. ASTM D6866、ISO 16620-2 or EN 16640 are used for testing.
Bio-based circular, Biomass balance (B-MB): Feedstocks derived from biomass waste, industrial waste, and municipal waste. Examples include UCO (used cooking oil), tall oil, and food waste. The European Union's Renewable Energy Directive (EU-RL 2009/28/EC) sets standards and limitations for sustainable production and processing of biomass. ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) provides globally applicable certification for traceability, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon reduction in sustainable supply chains. ISCC offers two regulatory options: physical segregation and mass balance approach.
Biodegradable plastics: Plastics that undergo biological decomposition by microorganisms, ultimately breaking down into natural substances such as water, carbon dioxide, and organic matter. They can be derived from bio-based materials or petrochemical-based plastics. Common examples include polylactic acid (PLA), PBAT, and PHA. These plastics comply with certifications such as ASTM D6400 (USA) and EN13432 (Europe).
