Best Practices in PET Recycling

Dirty Regrind Specifications

Issue: The quality requirements for PET regrind are far more demanding than for baled PET. And, the allowable levels of contamination in PET regrind are in the parts per million range. The quality of PET regrind is crucial to the efficiency and economics of subsequent PET recycling processing stages. Producing dirty regrind that meets the following specifications will ensure the ability to market granulated PET.

Best Practice: The proposed post-consumer PET “dirty” regrind specifications that follow are not intended to meet any one company’s individual specifications, but to represent a standard that will be acceptable to most PET purchasers and ensure a quality standard that can reduce the cost of the PET recycling process. While the proposed specifications may represent a standard which is acceptable to most of the PET recycling industry, every PET processor has specific requirements based on their particular processing system and the end-use application for which the recycled PET is intended. Therefore, suppliers must always determine the exact levels of contamination that a particular purchaser accepts as well as any other unique purchasing specifications they might have.

Unlike baled PET bottles, specifications for PET regrind vary by color and by the end-use application for which they are intended. As a general rule of thumb, higher value end-use applications demand higher quality regrind, particularly in regard to PVC contamination.

The following PET regrind specifications are broken down into four end-use categories as follows: Packaging, Sheet and Film; Engineered Resins; Strapping; and, Fiber Applications. The following specifications are included in this best practice.

· Clear PET regrind specifications for packaging, sheet and film applications

· Green PET regrind specifications for packaging, sheet and film applications

· Clear PET regrind specifications for engineered resin applications

· Green PET regrind specifications for engineered resin applications

· Green PET regrind specifications for strapping applications

· Clear PET regrind specifications for fiber applications

· Green PET regrind specifications for fiber applications

These specifications assume that all other quality and processing Best Practices presented in this document have been followed. The allowable levels of the contaminants listed in the specifications are the only types of contamination that are permitted. If a material does not have a specified level of contamination in a particular end-use category, its presence is not acceptable at any level.

Regardless of the particular specification for which you are preparing PET regrind, the following general best practices should be followed:

· mark or labels boxes of regrind with weight information (gross, tare and net weights)

· mark or label boxes to trace conditions of manufacture, including information to identify the grinding equipment it was produced with, the operator who produced it, the date it was produced and any other quality data that is available

· boxes should be packed and shipped in sound corrugated “gaylord” boxes and on pallets that will maintain their integrity in handling and shipping

· all boxes should be clean to avoid contamination from previous contents

· if used corrugated “gaylord” boxes are used, liners are required

· all boxes should be capped and strapped with lids

POST CONSUMER PET “DIRTY” REGRIND SPECIFICATIONS

CLEAR PET REGRIND SPECIFICATIONS FOR

PACKAGING, SHEET AND FILM APPLICATIONS

Acceptable Materials: Any CLEAR whole polyethylene terephthalate (PET) carbonated beverage bottle, or custom PET bottle or container with a screw-neck top that does not have a built in handle and containing the Society of the Plastics Industry’s “#1", “PET” or “PETE” resin identification code that is generated in the United States or Canada. All containers should be free of contents or free flowing liquids, and rinsed.

Acceptable PET containers may be ground with caps, liners, labels, and basecups attached. These materials shall be referred to collectively, as PET container contamination.

Allowable Contaminant Levels

Green PET ...…….................................................... < 100 ppm

Amber PET ....……................................................... < 100 ppm

Blue PET ......……................................................. < 100 ppm

Black PET .........................................…….............. 0 ppm

** TOTAL PET COLOR CONTAMINATION SHOULD NOT EXCEED 200 PPM

PET Container Contamination (caps, liners, labels, basecups) < 20%, by weight

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Plastic (any form) ......……..... < 10 ppm

Aluminum (other than caps) .............……............ < 50 ppm

HDPE Rigid Plastic Containers .......…….................. < 50 ppm

PP Rigid Plastic Containers .......…….................. < 50 ppm

Low Melt Plastics (E-PET, PET-G) ........……................. < 50 ppm

Particle Size: Regrind “screen” sizes from 3/8" to 1/2” are acceptable.

Prohibited Contaminants

No visually detectable levels of wood, cardboard, stones, or other physical debris.

Any plastic container that previously contained any hazardous or potentially hazardous material, including but not limited to agricultural products, pesticides, herbicides, automotive fluids, medical products (drugs, IV solutions, syringes/hypodermic needles), flammable, corrosive or reactive liquids, grease and solvents are expressly prohibited. This rule applies even if the aforementioned material was not the original contents of the container. (Suppliers must designate that the bales they supply do not contain the above prohibited materials)

Packing

· ALL REGRIND SHOULD BE PACKAGED IN CLEAN, CORRUGATED “GAYLORD” BOXES

· ALL BOXES SHOULD HAVE A LID OR CAP, AND STRAPPING TO KEEP THE LID IN PLACE

· THE USE OF USED CORRUGATED “GAYLORD” BOXES REQUIRES LINERS

· ALL BOXES SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED FOR TRACEABILITY BACK TO THE ORIGINAL CONDITIONS OF MANUFACTURE

POST CONSUMER PET “DIRTY” REGRIND SPECIFICATIONS

GREEN PET REGRIND SPECIFICATIONS FOR

PACKAGING, SHEET AND FILM APPLICATIONS

Acceptable Materials: Any GREEN whole polyethylene terephthalate (PET) carbonated beverage bottle, or custom PET bottle or container with a screw-neck top that does not have a built in handle and containing the Society of the Plastics Industry’s “#1", “PET” or “PETE” resin identification code that is generated in the United States or Canada. All containers should be free of contents or free flowing liquids, and rinsed.

Acceptable PET containers may be ground with caps, liners, labels, and basecups attached. These materials shall be referred to collectively, as PET container contamination.

Allowable Contaminant Levels

Clear PET ..............................……......................... < 10% by weight

Amber PET .................................................….......... < 100 ppm

Blue PET ...............................................…............ < 100 ppm

Black PET .............................................….............. 0 ppm

** TOTAL PET COLOR CONTAMINATION SHOULD NOT EXCEED 200 PPM

PET Container Contamination (caps, liners, labels, basecups) < 20%, by weight

PVC Plastic (any form) .....................................…........ < 10 ppm

Aluminum (other than caps) ....................….......... < 50 ppm

HDPE Rigid Plastic Containers ...............……........... < 50 ppm

PP Rigid Plastic Containers ......................…….... < 50 ppm

Low Melt Plastics (E-PET, PET-G) .........……................. < 50 ppm

Particle Size: Regrind “screen” sizes from 3/8" to 1/2” are acceptable.

Prohibited Contaminants

No visually detectable levels of wood, cardboard, stones, or other physical debris.

Packing

· ALL REGRIND SHOULD BE PACKAGED IN CLEAN, CORRUGATED “GAYLORD” BOXES

· ALL BOXES SHOULD HAVE A LID OR CAP, AND STRAPPING TO KEEP THE LID IN PLACE

· THE USE OF USED CORRUGATED “GAYLORD” BOXES REQUIRES LINERS

· ALL BOXES SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED FOR TRACEABILITY BACK TO THE ORIGINAL CONDITIONS OF MANUFACTURE

POST CONSUMER PET “DIRTY” REGRIND SPECIFICATIONS

CLEAR PET REGRIND SPECIFICATIONS FOR ENGINEERED RESIN APPLICATIONS

Acceptable PET containers may be ground with caps, liners, labels, and basecups attached. These materials shall be referred to collectively, as PET container contamination.

Allowable Contaminants Levels

Green PET ............................................................. < 100 ppm

Amber PET ............................................................. < 100 ppm

Blue PET ............................................................. < 100 ppm

Black PET ............................................................. 0 ppm

**TOTAL PET COLOR CONTAMINATION SHOULD NOT EXCEED 200 PPM

PET Container Contamination (caps, liners, labels, basecups) < 20%, by weight

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (any form) ........................... < 50 ppm

Aluminum (other than caps) ............................... < 50 ppm

HDPE Rigid Plastic Containers ............................... < 50 ppm

PP Rigid Plastic Containers ............................... < 50 ppm

Low Melt Plastics (E-PET, PET-G) ............................... < 50 ppm

Particle Size: Regrind “screen” sizes from 3/8" to 1/2” are acceptable.

Prohibited Contaminants

No visually detectable levels of wood, cardboard, stones, or other physical debris.

Packing

· ALL REGRIND SHOULD BE PACKAGED IN CLEAN, CORRUGATED “GAYLORD” BOXES

· ALL BOXES SHOULD HAVE A LID OR CAP, AND STRAPPING TO KEEP THE LID IN PLACE

· THE USE OF USED CORRUGATED “GAYLORD” BOXES REQUIRES LINERS

· ALL BOXES SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED FOR TRACEABILITY BACK TO THE ORIGINAL CONDITIONS OF MANUFACTURE

POST CONSUMER PET “DIRTY” REGRIND SPECIFICATIONS

GREEN PET REGRIND SPECIFICATIONS FOR ENGINEERED RESIN APPLICATIONS

Acceptable PET containers may be ground with caps, liners, labels, and basecups attached. These materials shall be referred to collectively, as PET container contamination.

Allowable Levels of Contaminants

Clear PET ............................................................. < 10% by weight

Amber PET ............................................................. < 100 ppm

Blue PET ............................................................. < 100 ppm

Black PET ............................................................. 0 ppm

**TOTAL PET COLOR CONTAMINATION SHOULD NOT EXCEED 200 PPM

PET Container Contamination (caps, liners, labels, basecups) < 20%, by weight

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (any form) ............................ < 50 ppm

Aluminum (other than caps) ................................ < 50 ppm

HDPE Rigid Plastic Containers ................................ < 50 ppm

PP Rigid Plastic Containers (#5) ................................ < 50 ppm

Low Melt Plastics (E-PET, PET-G) ................................ < 50 ppm

Particle Size: Regrind “screen” sizes from 3/8" to 1/2” are acceptable.

Prohibited Contaminants

No visually detectable levels of wood, cardboard, stones, or other physical debris.

Packing

· ALL REGRIND SHOULD BE PACKAGED IN CLEAN, CORRUGATED “GAYLORD” BOXES

· ALL BOXES SHOULD HAVE A LID OR CAP, AND STRAPPING TO KEEP THE LID IN PLACE

· THE USE OF USED CORRUGATED “GAYLORD” BOXES REQUIRES LINERS

· ALL BOXES SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED FOR TRACEABILITY BACK TO THE ORIGINAL CONDITIONS OF MANUFACTURE

POST CONSUMER PET “DIRTY” REGRIND SPECIFICATIONS

GREEN PET REGRIND SPECIFICATIONS FOR STRAPPING APPLICATIONS

Acceptable PET containers may be ground with caps, liners, labels, and basecups attached. These materials shall be referred to collectively, as PET container contamination.

Allowable Contaminant Levels

Clear PET ..............................................……......... < 35% by weight

Amber PET ..................................................……..... < 50 ppm

Blue PET ...............……........................................ < 50 ppm

Black PET .............…….......................................... 0 ppm

** TOTAL PET COLOR CONTAMINATION SHOULD NOT EXCEED 50 PPM

PET Container Contamination (caps, liners, labels, basecups) < 20%, by weight

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (any form) …............................ < 20 ppm

Aluminum (other than caps) …….....…….................... < 50 ppm

HDPE Rigid Plastic Containers ..........……................ < 50 ppm

PP Rigid Plastic Containers ..............……........................... < 50 ppm

Low Melt Plastics (E-PET, PET-G) .........……................. < 20 ppm

Particle Size: Regrind “screen” sizes from 3/8" to 1/2” are acceptable.

Prohibited Contaminants

No visually detectable levels of wood, cardboard, stones, or other physical debris.

Packing

· ALL REGRIND SHOULD BE PACKAGED IN CLEAN, CORRUGATED “GAYLORD” BOXES

· ALL BOXES SHOULD HAVE A LID OR CAP, AND STRAPPING TO KEEP THE LID IN PLACE

· THE USE OF USED CORRUGATED “GAYLORD” BOXES REQUIRES LINERS

· ALL BOXES SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED FOR TRACEABILITY BACK TO THE ORIGINAL CONDITIONS OF MANUFACTURE

POST CONSUMER PET “DIRTY” REGRIND SPECIFICATIONS

CLEAR PET REGRIND SPECIFICATIONS FOR FIBER APPLICATIONS

Acceptable PET containers may be ground with caps, liners, labels, and basecups attached. These materials shall be referred to collectively, as PET container contamination.

Allowable Contaminant Levels

Green PET ..............................................……..................... < 5,000 ppm

Amber PET ..........................................................…............. < 200 ppm

Blue PET .................................................................…...... < 100 ppm

Black PET ..........................................................…............. 50 ppm avg; 150 ppm max./box

PET Container Contamination (caps, liners, labels, basecups) < 15%, by weight

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (any form) .................................. 100 ppm avg; 350 ppm max./box

Aluminum (other than caps) ............................................... < 50 ppm

HDPE Rigid Plastic Containers .......................................... < 50 ppm

PP Rigid Plastic Containers ............................................... < 50 ppm

Low Melt Plastics (E-PET, PET-G) .................................. < 50 ppm

Particle Size: Regrind “screen” sizes from 3/8" to 1/2” are acceptable.

Prohibited Contaminants

No visually detectable levels of wood, cardboard, stones or other physical debris.

Packing

· ALL REGRIND SHOULD BE PACKAGED IN CLEAN, CORRUGATED “GAYLORD” BOXES

· ALL BOXES SHOULD HAVE A LID OR CAP, AND STRAPPING TO KEEP THE LID IN PLACE

· THE USE OF USED CORRUGATED “GAYLORD” BOXES REQUIRES LINERS

· ALL BOXES SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED FOR TRACEABILITY BACK TO THE ORIGINAL CONDITIONS OF MANUFACTURE

POST CONSUMER PET “DIRTY” REGRIND SPECIFICATIONS

GREEN PET REGRIND SPECIFICATIONS FOR FIBER APPLICATIONS

Acceptable Materials: Any GREEN, whole polyethylene terephthalate (PET) carbonated beverage bottle, or custom PET bottle or container with a screw-neck top that does not have a built in handle and containing the Society of the Plastics Industry’s “#1", “PET” or “PETE” resin identification code that is generated in the United States or Canada. All containers should be free of contents or free flowing liquids, and rinsed.

Acceptable PET containers may be ground with caps, liners, labels, and basecups attached. These materials shall be referred to collectively, as PET container contamination.

Allowable Contaminant Levels

Clear PET ......................................................…............... < 20%, by weight

Amber PET........................................................…..…....... < 200 ppm

Blue PET .......................................................…..…....... 0 - 100 ppm

Black PET .......................................................…..…....... 50 ppm avg; 150 ppm max/box

PET Container Contamination (caps, liners, labels, basecups) < 15%, by weight

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), any form ..........................….... 100 ppm avg; 350 ppm max/box

Aluminum (other than caps) ..........................………... < 50 ppm

HDPE Rigid Plastic Containers .................……….........… < 50 ppm

PP Rigid Plastic Containers ……...............………............ < 50 ppm

Low Melt Plastics (E-PET, PET-G) ................………...... < 50 ppm

Particle Size: Regrind “screen” sizes from 3/8" to 1/2” are acceptable.

Prohibited Contaminants

No visually detectable levels of wood, cardboard, stones, or other physical debris.

Packing

· ALL REGRIND SHOULD BE PACKAGED IN CLEAN, CORRUGATED “GAYLORD” BOXES

· ALL BOXES SHOULD HAVE A LID OR CAP, AND STRAPPING TO KEEP THE LID IN PLACE

· THE USE OF USED CORRUGATED “GAYLORD” BOXES REQUIRES LINERS

· ALL BOXES SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED FOR TRACEABILITY BACK TO THE ORIGINAL CONDITIONS OF MANUFACTURE