Eco Waterwise (Rotomech)

Manufacturer
Pooraka, South Australia
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from Don Matthews
to sales@ecowaterwise.com.au
Sep 25, 2008 3:50 PM
Recycling spent poly tank
mailed-by gmail.com

Dear Ecowaterwise,

I notice you manufacture poly rainwater tanks and wondered if you could help me.I am wanting to buy a poly tank but would like to know if it can be recycled when it eventually is broken down by sunlight. I would like to think I was doing the right thing by the environment in buying a tank which can be recycled at the end of its life.

Thanks for your help
Don Matthews

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from Vince Ellul
to Don Matthews
Sep 25, 2008 5:01 PM
RE: Recycling spent poly tank

Thanks Don,

For your thoughts on the next use of your poly tank. The answer is yes, in fact polyethylene water tanks are made from LLDPE and this is a good recyclable material, however you can expect 20 years plus from your ploy tank if all the manufacturing criteria had been meet in the manufacture of your tank.
Once again thanks and if I can assist you on any other related question please don’t hesitate to email or call me direct.

Kind Regards
Vince
RotoMech Pty Ltd & Eco Waterwise

15 Burma Rd
Pooraka
South Australia 5095
Australia

Vincent Ellul Mobile 0422199562
Office 61 8 82607164
Fax 61 8 83499562
Web www.rotomech.com.au
email vince@rotomech.com.au

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from Don Matthews
to Vince Ellul
Oct 2, 2008
Re: Recycling spent poly tank
mailed-by gmail.com

Dear Vince,

Thankyou for your reply but I am having a problem with your statement "The answer is yes, in fact polyethylene water tanks are made from LLDPE and this is a good recyclable material" You may be able to answer some questions and help me sort this out.

Sunlight eventually breaks down plastic making it brittle and lose all its strength. The long-chain polymer molecules which allow plastic to be moulded and give it its strength and rigidity are ruptured by UV light. No amount of added UV stabilizers will prevent the chemical degradation process from occurring. Essentially the plastic disintegrates and loses all its properties. As a result I don't see how it is possible to then remould it into other products. Is the correct? (QUESTION 1)


Would I be correct in saying that any current recycling of polyethylene only involves clean plastic such as factory scraps, seconds etc and not fully UV degraded spent plastic ? (QUESTION 2)


If I am not correct (and I am more than happy to be put right on this) and fully UV degraded plastic is actually being remoulded what evidence can you provide to support this? What process is being used and what products is the spent plastic being turned into? (QUESTION 3)

I am concerned that in the not too distant future millions of spent tanks will be lying around waiting to be disposed of. If the problem of their recycling is not resolved we are likely to have a major environmental pollution problem on our hands.

Could you please respond to my questions or pass this email on to anyone in your organisation who can.

Thanking you
Don Matthews

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from Don Matthews
to Vince Ellul
Oct 15, 2008 10:55 AM
Re: Recycling spent poly tank
mailed-by gmail.com

Dear Vince,

I have not had a response to my last email yet. Could you or someone else in your organisation get back to me on these questions please.

Thanks

Don Matthews

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