Brisbane, Qld
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from Don Matthews
to sales@thomasplastics.com.au
Sep 29, 2008 5:17 PM
Recycling spent poly tank
mailed-by gmail.com
Dear Thomas Plastics,
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 Corey Clarke
to Don Matthews
Sep 30, 2008 8:23 AM
RE: Recycling spent poly tank
Good Morning Don,
You can most definitely recycle the tank at the end of their lives, however they tend to last a very long time our tanks come with a 25 year warranty. Any off cuts, seconds or damaged tanks are recycled here as we have a full recycling plant in house which allows us to reprocess the plastic and re use for other products. If you have any further question don’t hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards
Corey Clarke
SALES MANAGER
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from Don Matthews
to Corey Clarke
Oct 2, 2008
Re: Recycling spent poly tank
mailed-by gmail.com
Dear Corey,
Thankyou for getting back however I have a problem with your statement "You can most definitely recycle the tank at the end of their lives" . 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 "off cuts, seconds or damaged tanks are recycled here as we have a full recycling plant in house which allows us to reprocess the plastic and re use for other products" refers only to clean plastic 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.
Regards
Don Matthews
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