Any large rigid polypropylene (PP) high-density polyethylene (PE) and/or Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) plastic items that may have the ASTM D7611 resin identification codes #5 PP, #2 HDPE and/or #4 LDPE, generated through a positive sort from curbside, drop-off or other public or private recycling collection program. Examples include: buckets, crates, waste bins, laundry baskets, large toys, large storage bins, and lawn furniture or other large PP/HDPE items. Buckets/pails with metal handles are accepted. Small injection molded HDPE containers may be included. PP small items can also be included but are encouraged to be put in a PP Small Rigid bale.
Product: Bulky Rigid Plastic
Source: Post-Consumer material collected primarily from residential sources, may also include some material that has met its intended use from commercial establishments.
CHECK WITH YOUR BUYER(S) as to their allowances for:
- Regarding inclusion of plastic items with metal such as axels and bolts and toys with electronic components and screws
Contamination: Total contamination should not exceed 15% by weight.
ALLOWABLE CONTAMINANTS AT LOW LEVELS: These contaminants are tolerable at low levels. The following contaminants should not exceed 2% by weight of any of the following “individual” contaminants, unless noted otherwise.
- HDPE bottles, canisters, or other blow molded containers.
- Any other non-PP or Non-HDPE rigid plastic (large or small) including PET (#1), PS (#6), Other (#7) and compostable plastic (e.g., PLA and PHA) (4% maximum of all combined)
- Liquid or other residues
- Loose paper or cardboard (OCC)
- Any plastic bags or film
- Metal, wood, glass
CONTAMINANTS NOT ALLOWED: If present, these contaminants may result in rejection.
- PVC (#3) in any form, including vinyl siding and white PVC pipe
- Coolers of any type
- Baby/child car seats
- Drums (e.g., 55gl HMW drum)
- Polycarbonate (PC) rigid plastic, including bottles
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) rigid plastic, e.g. (computer housing)
- Any item with degradable additives
- Containers which held hazardous materials, such as flammable, corrosive or reactive products, pesticides or herbicide
- Any plastic foam, particularly EPS (expanded polystyrene)
- Batteries
- Electronics scrap, including items with circuit boards or battery packs (e.g., toys, computer products)
- Bio-Medical waste/items (e.g., syringes, sharps, gloves, masks)
- Rocks, stones, mud, oils, grease
Effective as of: October 18, 2023
Terms & Conditions
Product These guidelines are designed with the potential for dealing with all recycled plastic in bale form. Initial specifications refer only to bottles. The code framework allows for generation of guidelines for all types of plastic packaging materials (including rigids and flexibles) with room for expansion to other plastic products and resins including those which are used to produce durable goods. Guidelines for those products may be added at a later date. Bale Density Bales shall be compressed to a minimum density of 10 pounds per cubic foot and a maximum density to be determined by individual contract between Buyer and Seller. Increased density may improve transportation efficiency, but over-compression may adversely affect the ability of a Buyer to separate, sort, and reprocess the material. Bale Tying Material Bale wires, ties, or straps shall be made of non-rusting or corroding material. Bale Integrity Bale integrity must be maintained through loading, shipping, handling, and storage. Distorted or broken bales are difficult to handle. They are unacceptable and may result in downgrading, rejection, or charge back. Allowable Contamination Unspecified materials must not exceed 2% of total bale weight. Bales which contain over 2% will be subjected to reduction in the contracted price of the material as well as charges for disposal of the contaminants. The reduced percentage will vary depending upon the amount and type of contamination. Quality of the baled plastic is the primary factor which determines the value. Prohibited Material Certain materials are understood to be specified as “prohibited.” Such materials will render the bale “non-specification” and may cause some customers to reject the entire shipment. These may include plastic materials which have a deleterious effect on each other when reprocessed, and materials such as agricultural chemicals, hazardous materials, flammable liquids and/or their containers, and medical waste. Liquids Plastic containers/materials should be empty and dry when baled. The bale should be free of any free-flowing liquid of any type. General Shipments should be essentially free of dirt, mud, stones, grease, glass, and paper. The plastic must not have been damaged by ultraviolet exposure. Every effort should be made to store the material above ground and under cover. A good faith effort on the part of the supplier will be made to include only rinsed bottles which have closures removed.
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