Ever wondered what happens to your plastic bottles after you toss them into the recycling bin? Well, I had the chance to find out during my visit to Monoworld!
Despite it sounding like a theme park, this is in fact a respected plastics recycling company, based in Rushden, Northamptonshire. A theme park for plastics!
Monoworld are one of our plastic reprocessor partners and our visit was both perform as part of our supplier audit programme, but also to continue our own education in the world of plastic recycling.
As we pulled into the Sanders Lodge Industrial Estate, the first thing that struck me was the sheer volume of plastic bales! It’s a bustling hub of activity, with trucks coming and going, carrying loads of recyclable materials of many types. The friendly staff at the reception welcomed us warmly and ensured we were wearing our high-visibility vest, safety goggles and hard hat – safety first!
Next, we moved on to the washing and shredding area. Here, the plastics are cleaned and chopped into tiny pieces. The noise was quite something – a symphony of whirring, clanking, and grinding. The plastics essentially go through a bubble bath routine to remove grease, grime and dirt. Mark explained that this step is crucial to remove any contaminants and prepare the plastic for its new life.
The shredded plastic is formed into small flakes, which can then be used to manufacture new products. It was like watching a magic trick – turning what was once waste into something valuable and useful again.
It’s not all hunky-dory, though. Contamination is a real challenge for Monoworld, as it is across the wider industry. Mark showed us one of the most dangerous and difficult contaminants – gas canisters. These sold metal containers could still be pressurised which poses a high risk to breaking machinery and even the staff. So if you have gas canisters please have these removed separately and don’t place them in your normal recycling bins.
What impressed me most about Monoworld was their commitment to sustainability. They have invested heavily in state-of-the-art technology to ensure that as much plastic as possible is recycled. HDPE (high-density polyethylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PP (polypropylene) grades are the main of what is recycled, but Brodie was keen to accept other weird and wonderful plastic types too. She also mentioned that they process mixed LDPE (low-density polyethylene) film waste – one of my biggest bugbears – at their Hartlepool site. I feel another plastics recycling facility trip on the horizon!
My visit to Monoworld was not only educational but also incredibly inspiring. Recycling often gets a bad rap, but it’s amazing to see the hard work and dedication that goes into making our world a little greener. If you ever get the chance to visit, I highly recommend it. You’ll leave with a newfound appreciation for the recycling process and the impact it has on keeping our resources in use for longer.
So, next time you toss that plastic bottle into the recycling bin, remember – it’s not just recycling; it’s the start of a new circular journey!
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Wonder what really happens to your plastic bottles after recycling? Join us on a behind-the-scenes tour of Monoworld, a leading UK plastics recycling facility shaping the circular journey of plastic waste.
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