I need to locate a domestic (USA) source of pelletized postconsumer
recycled polypropylene that is clear or colorable to a translucent
red.

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Request for Question Clarification by blader-ga on 26 Jun 2002 15:48 PDT

Dear mwooley:

Thank you for your question. Below is a list of domestic suppliers of
recycled polypropylene, but as I am unsure whether it is pelletized
and clear, I am posting this is a clarification request. If I had
information on its application (rigid packaging, etc), I would be able
to refine the list further.

http://markets.plasticsresource.com/results.asp?st=AL%2CAK%2CAZ%2CAR%2CCA%2CCO%2CCT%2CDE%2CDC%2CFL%2CGA%2CHI%2CID%2CIL%2CIN%2CIA%2CKS%2CKY%2CLA%2CME%2CMD%2CMA%2CMI%2CMN%2CMS%2CMO%2CMT%2CNE%2CNV%2CNH%2CNJ%2CNM%2CNY%2CNC%2CND%2COH%2COK%2COR%2CPA%2CRI%2CSC%2CSD%2CTN%2CTX%2CUT%2CVT%2CVA%2CWA%2CWV%2CWI%2CWY&by=2&rs=4

Best Regards,
blader-ga

The June 24, 2002 issue of Plastics News lists industrial recycled PP
at .19-.23 per pound in pellets or .12-.17 per pound in "clean regrind
or flake". I would be a bit suspicious of the clarity of this polymer
since a great deal of "natural" PP is more like white rather than
translucent.

United Plastics in Flint, MI 810 238 2186 advertises in the classified
section of this issue as "Buy/Sell plastic and surplus regrind repro"
and claims to "specialize in HDPE, HDPE HMW, HIPS, Polypro and Nylon
Glass fill"

Capco Polymer (division of Capco Recycling) also lists recycled PP in
the classified section of Plastics News at
http://www.capcopolymers.com  phone 888 482 4686 and lists their
Cleveland office at 877 702 2975.

Also, 
CSI Plastics  http://www.CSIplastics.com refers to Buy/Sell of a vast
variety of recycled plastics.

Also,
Majestic Plastics  http://www.majesticplastics.com at 918 542 2282 

Also,
Shoenberg Plastics  914 962 1200 claims to buy many scrap, regrind,
repro, lumps etc of a vast variety of plastics.

Also,
Domino Plastics  http://www.domplas.com   631 751 1995

The American Plastics Council, 1300 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 800,
Arlington, VA 22209, U.S.A., Telephone: 1 800 243 5790 would be a good
source for recyclers IN YOUR AREA who are capable of supplying clear
or "natural" recycled PP which could be blended to translucent red.

The supply of HDPE will be much greater and much more adaptable to an
application for a clear to translucent recycled polymer since a main
source of this polymer is translucent milk bottles.  The price per
pound will be higher as well.

Of course, clear PET will be very commonly available but will
approximate .52-.56 per pound for pellets.

I have purchased millions of pounds of these resins over the years
prior to my retirement. Except for PET, most of the other recyled
resins sources are not reliable for consistency and ease of
processing. You may have a compelling marketing reason for having
recycled resin in your product but virgin prices, while about twice
the price of recycled resin offer so many processing advantages for
technical or design products which often offset the material price
advantage.

I'd suggest  http://www.thomasregister.com as a good source for virgin
PP resin.

If you need clarification of this answer or additional information,
please don't hesitate to request it and I'll be happy to try to
provide it to you....Great questions stimulate the GA community. 
Thank you for providing one for me today.

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Clarification of Answer by seedy-ga on 26 Jun 2002 22:40 PDT

Some additional recognizable sources from Thomas Register:

Muehlstein, H., & Co., Inc.
800-T Connecticut Ave.
Norwalk, CT 06854-1631
USA
Tel: 888-627-1888
Fax: 203-855-6031
Product Description
Global Supplier Of Thermoplastics & Rubber Materials, Including Post
Industrial & Post Consumer Plastics. Supplier Of Reprocessed PS, ABS,
PE, PP Resins. Purchasers Of Plastic Scrap For Reclaim/Reuse.


Resource Plastics Corp.
3365 South Hwy. 149
Eagan, MN 55121
USA
Tel: 888-232-9210
Fax: 651-905-4555
Product Description
Polypropylene Plastic Resin Pellets


PolyTrade, Inc.
1033 Providence Rd.
Whitinsville, MA 01588 2121
USA
Tel: 508-234-7400
Fax: 508-234-2208
Product Description
Buyers & Sellers Of Plastic Resins, Chemicals & Scrap For Injection
Molding, Extrusion & Compounding

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Clarification of Answer by seedy-ga on 01 Jul 2002 06:53 PDT

Located translucent .4 fractional melt grind and various other forms
and characteristics by calling from the following list.
   http://markets.plasticsresource.com/

Unless you can give me the properties (melt characteristics),
quantitiy, and location, it is not practical for me to call on your
behalf.  The resource listed above gives you the ability to search by
location in order to call with your requirements.

Google search strategy:
   PP + recycling
   "plastic recycling'

If I can provide further clarification, please don't hesitate to ask..

seedy

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Request for Answer Clarification by mwooley-ga on 01 Jul 2002 08:35 PDT

Seedy, thanks for your research.  My efforts in finding a suitable
material haven't panned out.  Everything out there is black.
Our process is injection molding.  The particular application uses a
hot runner mold, so the recycled material must be free from debris
such as paper or rocks...  We are currently using Basell SB787, with a
MI of 22.  I am anticipating having to crank up the back pressure to
get a good mix with whatever material we end up with.  I want to use
no more than about 20% scrap blended into virgin.
By the way, we are located in the San Diego area.
Thanks!
Myron

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Clarification of Answer by seedy-ga on 01 Jul 2002 10:07 PDT

Myron:

Difficult problem.  I know a molder in City of Industry, WNA Comet
West, who molds cutlery so he might have some regrind for sale
although I suspect he uses most everything he has back into the
blender...and it probably is mostly white or colors.  If you could
give me quantity per month, I'll give him a call for you.

Have you called the Southern CA recyclers listed at:
     http://markets.plasticsresource.com/

I called a couple this morning using a quantity of 4 gaylords a month
to see if anyone has any steady supply. Awaiting call backs...I'll
post information as I receive it..

seedy

This was a difficult question, and the research done on my behalf was
thorough and timely.  I appreciate the efforts!

.
Not sure if this information will help, but here it goes.  :)

"Recycler's World, is a free worldwide information exchange for those
who wish to buy, sell, or trade recyclable commodities, used
materials, and collectible items. Secondary materials can be direct
marketed through this free-access public site.  Price information is
available."

http://www.recycle.net/recycle/index.html


On that site, I found the following posting:

AVAILABLE : LA295773 | 
Shipping Pt.: UK, UK PORT NA
Clear PP Scrap (baled) - PP scrap with PVDC coated. Have available
post industry waste PP film scrap with PVDC coating all clear in
bales) Quantity about 100 ton per month, size bale 48' wide and 24
inches width) each bale weight 425/450 kilo each

This is the URL for that posting:
http://www.recycle.net/cgi-bin/exview.cgi?w=01&sc=1005&g=09

The grades that are included in the PP Polypropylene Recycling
category are given here: http://www.recycle.net/Plastic/pp/index.html

I couldn't find a whole lot that said anything about "postconsumer"
though...


Then there's the address, phone and URL for this association - they
may be able to help you find the information you need:

Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers
1300 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22209
703.253.0605 (phone) • 703.253.0606 (fax)

http://plasticsrecycling.org/


I hope the info above is of some help to you!

TexasT
.

I was on the road yesterday but decided to call some of the possible
vendors for you to see if a steady supply of translucent PP could be
obtained.  My first call was to Washington Penn (who I forgot to give
you as a resource yesterday). A technical person there told me they
only supply black and I would have a difficult time finding a steady
source of translucent anywhere.  I have calls in to some of the other
references I gave you and will add information as it is available.

Your best source may be as regrind from matrix at a thermoformer who
is using PP rather than post consumer recycle....

seedy

What process are you planning to use in the production of a product
from the recycled PP??  Thermoforming?? injection molding??

seedy

Myron:

Got a call back from Talco Plastics, Corona, CA.  They have
homopolymer 8 melt, injection grade,  on the floor right now (natural)
they have for sale at .36 per pound.  They get copolymer 12 melt on
occasion for which they ask .42 per pound.  I spoke with Brad
Zentkowski at (909) 531-2000.  Told him I was doing a small consulting
project for a company in San Diego. You can reference me as the person
from NH who called him.

I'd suggest you start at http://markets.plasticsresource.com/ and
search for all recyclers in CA who show PP as a product and call them.
 That is how I got Talco

I'm afraid it would be inefficient for me to call further on your
behalf since you are best suited to discuss grade, pricing, and
quantity.

Thank you for using Google Answers for your inquiry.  I hope you have
a chance to rate the information you have received.  I'll be glad to
clarify if I can be of further assistance.

seedy