Specifications to Modernize, Standardize and Streamline Plastics

One of our priorities here at Waste2ship is to ensure the free and fair trade of commodities in a way that can be understood in our global economy. These specifications will give buyers and sellers that handle plastic scrap a set of common terms and definitions they can use when they establish their business relationships. This common vernacular can help both parties avoid misunderstandings and ensure the terms they agree upon are mutually beneficial. Historically, the recyclable plastics commodities market has been plagued with confusion surrounding the acceptable specifications of even the most commonly traded grades of plastic.

Approved specifications:

• Baled – Loose material that is compressed and bound together.
• Durable goods — Electrical and electronic equipment, appliances, automobiles called “transportation equipment, construction products, and industrial equipment.
• Flake –A generic term that refers to size and shape. Typically consists of plastic bottles or plastic film typically ground into a chip.
• Densified – material that is compressed through mechanical means. Typically applies to foam (purged) and film (turned into “popcorn”). Densified material is typically sent on for additional processing.
• Mixed Load Plastic – Shredded plastic that contains various types of resins and requires mechanical sorting to reach final specification. Typically baled and not granulated. Types and grades included in the bale to be agreed to by buyer and seller.