Manufacturer
Townsville QLD
---------------------------------------------
from Don Matthews
to salestsv@gough.com.au
Aug 28, 2008 3:35 PM
Recycling spent poly tanks
mailed-by gmail.com
Dear Gough Plastics,
I am doing some research into the recycling of spent poly rainwater tanks - those which have been completely degraded by UV and need to be disposed of. Recycling these tanks has now become a top priority, for as you are probably aware, tanks are failing much earlier than expected, many well before their warranty even expires.
Leisa Donlan CEO of the Association of Rotational Moulders Australia (ARMA) states on the industry website www.watertanks.org.au "can polty tanks be recycled? yes then can be completely recycled" and also "the material is 100% recycled"
She has also also confirmed to me that "spent tanks are currently recycled" and that "rotational moulders gather the material, cut it to a size to be recycled and then arrange for it to be collected by the recyclers"
From all this it would appear recycling spent tanks is well under control. It is good to hear the industry is showing concern for the environment by already recycling tanks it is putting into our environment at a rapidly increasing rate.
As a rotational moulder could you please tell me what Gough Plastics is doing in this area? What process is being used to recycle the tanks and what products are they being turned into?
Thanking you in anticipation for help with my research.
Don Matthews
---------------------------------------------
from Simon Gough
to donmatthews7@gmail.com
Aug 29, 2008 8:24 AM
RE: Recycling spent poly tanks
mailed-by gough.com.au
Hi Don,
Always interested in helping people out who have an interest in the environment and the future of our planet.
Would you mind telling me who you work for and or the purpose of your research?
We are typically doing what you have already outlined below.
Regards,
Simon Gough.
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from Don Matthews
to Simon Gough
Sep 1, 2008 3:27 PM
Re: Recycling spent poly tanks
mailed-by gmail.com
Thanks for your reply Simon. Will get back to you on your questions when I have a little more time to spare.
Don
--------------------------------------------
from Don Matthews
to Simon Gough
Oct 15, 2008
subject Recycling spent poly tanks
mailed-by gmail.com
Dear Simon.
As mentioned earlier I am doing some research into the recycling of spent poly tanks and would like to get some clarification on the following:
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 polyethylene plastic currently being recycled 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 is there to support this? What process is being used and what products is the spent plastic being turned into? (QUESTION 3)
Thanks for your help in this.
Don Matthews
----------------------------------------------------
from Don Matthews
to sg@gough.com.au
cc Leisa Donlan
Oct 29, 2008
Recycling spent poly tanks
mailed-by gmail.com
Dear Simon,
I have been waiting for a response. Is there a problem?
Don
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from Simon Gough
to Don Matthews
Oct 31, 2008
RE: Recycling spent poly tanks
Hi Doug,
There is no problem other than you have not responded to my questions.
1. Who are you
2. Who do you work for
3. What is the purpose of your research.
Regards,
Simon
---------------------------------------------------
from Don Matthews
to Simon Gough
Nov 3, 2008 11:29 AM
Re: Recycling spent poly tanks
mailed-by gmail.com
Dear Simon
In answer to your questions:
1. Who are you? Don Matthews
2. Who do you work for? No-one
3. What is the purpose of your research.? To find out if UV-degraded tanks can be recycled.
Don
--------------------------------------------
from Don Matthews
to Simon Gough
cc Leisa Donlan
Nov 3, 2008
Re: Recycling spent poly tanks
mailed-by gmail.com
Dear Simon,
With respect, I do not see who or what I am has any relevance to answering what seem very simple questions if there no problems with recycling UV-degraded (spent) poly tanks. To summarize our past communications:
In my email of 28 August I said:
"I am doing some research into the recycling of spent poly rainwater tanks"
"Leisa Donlan CEO of the Association of Rotational Moulders Australia (ARMA) states on the industry website www.watertanks.org.au "can polty tanks be recycled? yes then can be completely recycled" and also "the material is 100% recycled"
"She has also also confirmed to me that "spent tanks are currently recycled" and that "rotational moulders gather the material, cut it to a size to be recycled and then arrange for it to be collected by the recyclers"
Your reply to this was:
"We are typically doing what you have already outlined" (29 Aug)
thus confirming that you currently recycle UV-degraded (spent) tanks, yes?
My next email of 15 October then asked three more detailed questions:
"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 polyethylene plastic currently being recycled 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 is there to support this? What process is being used and what products is the spent plastic being turned into? (QUESTION 3)"
Your reply to this was (3 Nov):
"The short answer is yes, Tanks can be recycled.
If you wish to get highly technical I think that their is sufficient information out there that is freely available on recycling of plastics in general. If this is not sufficient i think your next course of action should be to contact a polymer scientist."
While I appreciate you may not be able to answer the technical question 1, having already told me you recycle UV-degraded (spent) tanks your answer to question 2 should have been a simple 'no' and question 3 would have gone something like ' we at Gough plastics shred UV-degraded tanks into small pieces and grind it into a powder. More UV stabilizers are added and then we remould the regrind into non-food containers eg cattle water tanks."
Where is the evidence to back up your claim "The short answer is yes, Tanks can be recycled" ? It would appear to be non-existent.
I shall be including your reponse in my research report
Thankyou for your assistance.
Don Matthews
----------------------------------------
from Simon Gough
to Don Matthews
cc Leisa Donlan
Nov 3, 2008
RE: Recycling spent poly tanks
mailed-by gough.com.au
Hi Don,
With respect.
I see no problem with you saying.
My name is Don Matthews, i work fro XYZ company.
My interest in recycling poly tanks is _______
If you cant see where i am coming from then i really can’t help you.
It is common courtesy in the business community to introduce yourself.
Regards,
Simon
------------------------------------------------
from Don Matthews
to Simon Gough
Nov 5, 2008 12:12 PM
Re: Recycling spent poly tanks
mailed-by gmail.com
Simon,
With all due respect,
I have said it once but I will say it again.
My name is Don Matthews, and I do not work for any company, but as you seem desparate that I do I can say I am attached in some way to a little-known but large clongomerate 'don matthews enterprises (DME)' and as I keep reiterating I am trying to get to the bottom of this "Can poly tanks be recycled? Yes, they can be completely recycled" puzzle.
I hope my introduction meets with the accepted standards of "common courtesy in the business community" and that you are now able to give some open and honest answers on an issue which is of concerned to many environmentally concious Australians.
Thanks
Don
PS don't worry, DME has no interest in getting into poly tanks
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from Simon Gough
cc Leisa Donlan
Nov 5, 2008 1:04 PM
RE: Recycling spent poly tanks
mailed-by gough.com.au
Hi Don,
We do recycle tanks, so far up to about 15 years old into non critical application, not water tanks.
Its just very strange that you keep pursuing members of the rotational moulding industry for information when there is published information out there from researchers.
As i said I am not in a position to give your polymer science answers.
I think it best if you require in depth information to contact a polymer scientist.
Sorry i can t be of more help to you.
Regards,
Simon Gough
-----------------------------------------
from Don Matthews
to Simon Gough
cc Leisa Donlan
Nov 5, 2008 2:13 PM
Re: Recycling spent poly tanks
mailed-by gmail.com
Hi Simon,
Thanks for your help.
Don
-----------------------------------------------------
from Don Matthews
to Simon Gough
cc Leisa Donlan
"Jennifer Marohasy (AEF)"
date Nov 10, 2008 2:57 PM
subject Re: Recycling spent poly tanks
mailed-by gmail.com
To: Simon Gough (Gough Plastics)
From: Don Matthews
Dear Simon,
The reason I am 'pursuing' the industry is because I am sceptical UV degraded poly tanks can be recycled.
My chemistry background suggests it is not possible and repeated calls to a materials scientist at a major recycler and supplier of resin to the industry to answer my questions have been ignored.
Questions to another 'materials scientist' from another major recycler received the 6 minutes-later reply "The process in which the material is reconstituted is proprietory knowledge and is therefore not given out to the public. Sorry".
This just confirms my scepticism.
Of more concern is an industry reassuring an environmentally concerned public that UV degraded poly tanks can be recycled yet seem unable to provide any supporting evidence. This is a worry.
Gough Plastics have provided a perfect example.
To begin with you told me "We are typically doing what you have already outlined below " but on further questioning it appears you have had no experience with recycling UV degraded water tanks, are unable to refer me to anyone who has, nor have you been able to direct me to any specific research being done on this area
Is is any wonder I am a sceptical and say "I have been misled"
Don Matthews
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