Recycler and supplier of resin to the industry
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from Don Matthews
Aug 21, 2008 4:12 PM
Recycling spent poly
mailed-by gmail.com
Dear sir,
Do you accept spent poly rainwater tanks for recycling - ones that have been completely degraded by UV. ?
Don Matthews
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from "Tony.Mercieca@vanglobe.com.au"
to don matthews
Aug 22, 2008
RE: Recycling spent poly
Hi Don,
Thanks for your enquiry.
We do recycle Rotomoulded products obtained from the field – usually these are returned via our moulder base and are cut up into manageable sections of approx 300mmx300mm.
A few Q’s,
Where is the tank(s)
What size / weight of resin is there to recycle
Is it whole or is it in sections
Has the tank failed or is it still in service.
Depending on the status and history of the tank, there may be an opportunity to use this vessel as the subject of a research project that I am considering.
Feel free to contact me should you discuss the options.
Best regards
Tony
Tony Mercieca B.App.Sci(Chem)
Technical Manager
M: (61) 0427 763 465
Ph: 61 (3) 8361 8838
Fax 61 (3) 8361 8445
tony.mercieca@vanglobe.com.au
Vanglobe Sales – 1800 888 141
Visit us at www.vanglobe.com.au
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Comment - mention of a research project suggests recycling spent poly could still be in unknown stage?
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from Don Matthews
to "Tony.Mercieca@vanglobe.com.au"
Sep 1, 2008 3:44 PM
Re: Recycling spent poly
mailed-by gmail.com
Hi Tony,
Thanks for your reply. It's good to be taking to an applied chemist. You may be able to answer some of my questions at last.
From my chemistry background I understand the UV breakdown of plastic ruptures the polymer chains causing them to lose all their properties which make plastic a plastic. Therefore what's left after UV competely breaks it down cannot be remoulded again because there are no polymer chains for which to hold it all together.
You mentioned something about about a research project you were considering which interests me (from a chemists point of view). When I was at university there was no technology available to reverse the UV depolymerization process. Is there something available now to do this? It would certainly be a major breakthrough.
At present I am just making an initial enquiry into the chemistry side of things. I understand regrind is used to recycle plastic at the moment but is completely UV degraded polyethylene suitable for this purpose?
I may have access to such tanks further down the track depending on how things develop.
Look forward to hearing from you
Don
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No response
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from Don Matthews
to "Tony.Mercieca@vanglobe.com.au"
Oct 15, 2008 11:44 AM
Re: Recycling spent poly
mailed-by gmail.com
Dear Tony,
I have not had any response to me last email yet. Could you please help me sort this out by providing some answers to the following 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) 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
Don Matthews
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No response
fromTrent.Farleigh@vanglobe.com.
todonmatthews7@gmail.com
Dec 8, 2008
RE: Tony Mercieca
Hi Don
Your information is right that Tony has left Vanglobe.
Don are you still bagging polyethylene tanks in the market as most of our customers have reported.
Trent Farleigh
National Sales Manager
M: 0439 763 469T:
07 3271 3955F:
07 3271 4532T:
1800 888 141 (toll free)
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fromDon Matthews <donmatthews7@gmail.com>
toTrent.Farleigh@vanglobe.com.au
Wed, Dec 10, 2008
Re: Tony Mercieca
mailed-bygmail.com
Dear Trent,
I am pleased you have made contact. I would like to say a few things and ask some questions of you,
1. Leisa would have informed you that I am conducting a private research project on the recycling UV degraded (spent) tanks. hence my questions to the industry. What began simply out of interest and curiosity has snowballed into a 'can of worms' so it seems. The response of the industry, particularly Leisa Donlan CEO of ARMA has prompted and inspired me to investigate this further with some very interesting results. Leisa has probably also told you that I am considering publishing my work. There seems to be quite a deal of interest being shown in it which hopefully will be of benefit to everyone.
2. Could you please give me the name of your new Technical Manager so that I may continue the discussion I was having with your previous Manager. Tony seemed well qualified to help me and hopefully your new replacement will be able to help.
3. Perhaps you would like to a have a go at answering the following three questions I am now putting to the industry:
QUESTION 1
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 2
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 3
If I am not correct (and I am more than happy to be put right) 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?
Don Matthews
APTCIG
Australian Poly Tank Concerned Individuals Group
asking questions, recording responses, drawing conclusions
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fromDon Matthews <donmatthews7@gmail.com>
toTrent.Farleigh@vanglobe.com.au
ccLeisa Donlan <ldonlan@rotationalmoulding.com>
Tue, Dec 16, 2008
e: Tony Mercieca
mailed-bygmail.com
Good Afternoon Trent,
As already mentioned I am conducting a research project into the 'recycling' of UV-degraded poly tanks.
I was in the process of discussing this with your Technical Manager Tony Mercieca when he suddendly stopped responding. You have informed me that he is no longer working for Vanglobe and I have already asked you for the name and email address of his replacement but you have not obliged.
For the second time, please email me this information. I wish to ask some questions.
Don Matthews
APTCIG
Australian Poly Tank Concerned Individuals Group
asking questions, recording responses, drawing conclusions
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fromTrent.Farleigh@vanglobe.com.au
todonmatthews7@gmail.com
ccldonlan@rotationalmoulding.com
Wed, Dec 17, 2008
RE: Tony Mercieca
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fromDon Matthewdonmatthews7@gmail.com
toTrent.Farleigh@vanglobe.com.au
Wed, Dec 17, 2008
Re: Tony Mercieca
mailed-bygmail.com
Dear Trent,
Is this a wise move?
You are making a deliberate attempt to block the enquiries of a concerned member of the public engaged in a serious research project into industry 'recycling' claims.
You know I am considering publishing my work which eventually will find its way all over Australia. Every response you make is being documented and will be out in the open for public scrutiny.
How you proceed is up to you.
Don Matthews
APTCIG
Australian Poly Tank Concerned Individuals Group
looking for honest answers to open and honest questions
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fromDon Matthews <donmatthews7@gmail.com>to"trent. farleigh"<Trent.Farleigh@vanglobe.com.au>
ccLeisa Donlan <ldonlan@rotationalmoulding.com>
Wed, Feb 25, 2009 subject Debate 5 Trent, please explainmailed-bygmail.com
From: Don Matthews APTCIG To: Trent Farleigh Vanglobe Recyclers
Trent,
Leisa has suggested I talk to a material scientist. I have asked to talk to yours but you have said "no". Can you please explain to me and my members why?
Don Matthews APTCIG
Australian Poly Tank Concerned Individuals Group
"we're aiming for transparency - and we shoot from the hip"
PS This email has been posted on the Debat 5 'Trent, please explain' post. A gathering audience is awaiting your response.
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