Reln Plastics

Manufacturer
Ingleburn, NSW

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from Don Matthews to sales@reln.com.au Nov 5, 2008
Recycling spent poly tank mailed-by gmail.com

Dear Reln Plastics,

I have been reading with interest about your new poly rainwater tank.
Can you tell me whether at the end of its life when it is fully degraded by UV if it can be recycled or not ? I would like to think I was doing the right thing by the environment in buying a poly tank.

Thanks for your help
Don Matthews
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from Kristy Pilsworth to Don Matthews Nov 7, 2008
RE: Recycling spent poly tank

Hi Don

Thank you for your enquiry. Yes, the tank can still be recycled when fully degraded by UV.

Regards,
Kristy Pilsworth Customer Service Officer
14B Williamson Road, Ingleburn N.S.W. 2565
P: 1300 137 356 F: 1300 137 358
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from Don Matthews to Kristy Pilsworth Nov 10, 2008
Re: Recycling spent poly tank mailed-by gmail.com

Dear Kristy,

It is interesting you say UV degraded tanks can be recycled. I have just had information from another source which says they can't be ???

Are you sure your information is correct ?

I would like to look into this further. Could you direct me to the person who told you this or the source of your information so that I can ask a few more questions.

Thanks,
Don
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from Owen Luke
to donmatthews7@gmail.com
cc Kristy
date Nov 13, 2008
FW: Recycling spent poly tank

Hi Don,

Please feel free to give me a call. 9605-9999

Kind Regards,
Owen Luke
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from Don Matthews to Owen Luke Nov 13, 2008
Re: FW: Recycling spent poly tank mailed-by gmail.com

Hi Owen,

Are you able to fill me in via email?

Don
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from Owen Luke to Don Matthews
Nov 14, 2008 RE: FW: Recycling spent poly tank

Hi Don,

It’s easier to talk about this as the subject is highly technical and I can then get a better understanding of your concerns. Either give me a call (9605-9999) or send me your phone number and I’ll call you.


Kind Regards,
Owen
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from Don Matthews to Owen Luke Nov 17, 2008
Re: FW: Recycling spent poly tank mailed-by gmail.com

Hi Owen,

I sort of know what's going on. I have a chemistry degree and taught the subject (including the chemistry of plastics) for many years.

I think the issue could be sorted out with answers to the following questions:


(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 do not 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 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?


If you are able to provide any answers it would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Don
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from Don Matthews <donmatthews7@gmail.com>to sales@reln.com.au
Mar 5, 2009 subject Reln MD details request mailed-bygmail.com

Hi Kristy,

Do you have the name and email address of Reln's Managing Director?

Thanks
Don Matthews
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from Sales <sales@reln.com.au> to Don Matthews <donmatthews7@gmail.com>
Mar 5, 2009 RE: Reln MD details request

Hi Don

The Managing directors name is Nigel Nattrass. His email is nigelnattrass@reln.com.au

Regards, Kristy Pilsworth
Customer Service Officer
14 Williamson Road, Ingleburn N.S.W.
2565P: 1300 137 356 F: 1300 137 358 E: sales@reln.com.au W: www.reln.com.au
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from Don Matthews <donmatthews7@gmail.com> to nigelnattrass@reln.com.au
bcc Owen Luke <owenluke@reln.com.au>,Sales <sales@reln.com.au>
Tue, Mar 24, 2009 subject Recycling UV degraded poly tankmailed-bygmail.com

To: Nigel Nattrass Managing Director Reln Plastics

Dear Nigel,

There is an opinion going around that UV-degraded poly tanks cannot be recycled. That sunlight breaks the plastic down until it becomes brittle, falls apart and loses all the properties which enable it to be remoulded and recycled. As Managing Director of Reln Plastics I would be interested in your view on this. If degraded plastic cannot be recycled I see a potential environmental problem ahead when millions of degraded tanks will need disposing of at the end of their life.

Regards
Don Mattthews
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fromDon Matthews <donmatthews7@gmail.com>tonigelnattrass@reln.com.au
Apr 1, 2009 Re: Recycling UV degraded poly tank mailed-bygmail.com

Nigel

Do you have a response for me?

Don
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from Don Matthews <donmatthews7@gmail.com>tonigelnattrass@reln.com.au
Apr 6, 2009 at 10:48 Re: Recycling UV degraded poly tank mailed-bygmail.com

Nigel,

I am still waiting .

Don Matthews
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