Plastic Tanks Queensland

Manufacturers
Carole Pk Qld


from Don Matthews
to sales@ptq.com.au
Sep 23, 2008
Recycling spent ploy tank
mailed-by gmail.com


Dear Plastic Tanks Queensland

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 PTQ Sales
to Don Matthews
Sep 24, 2008
Re: recycling spent poly tank

Hello Don,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Yes our tanks are entirely recyclable. We recycle and reuse our own scrap plastic.The plastic we use has been UV stabilised so the harsh Australian sundoes not break down the plastic. It been in testing for over 25years.

Hope this has been helpful.

Best regards,
Plastic Tanks Qld
94 Antimony St Carole Park Qld
4300+61 7 32711305

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from Don Matthews
to PTQ Sales
Oct 2, 2008
Re: recycling spent ploy tank
mailed-by gmail.com

Dear Plastic Tanks Queensland,

Thankyou for your reply to my question as to whether spent poly tanks are recyclable but I am having a problem with your statement "Yes our tanks are entirely recyclable" 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 the plastic you are referring to in your statement "We recycle and reuse our own scrapplastic" is only 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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No response
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