The plastic recycling process step by step

By now, we all know how important plastic recycling is. With such a simple action, how to separate our plastic waste and throw it into the corresponding container, we help these waste to have a second useful life, in addition to doing our bit to take care of the environment.

But what we do not know is that the plastic recycling process must go through several steps to achieve the desired result.

In today’s article on our blog we tell you about the plastic recycling process step by step.

Reception and selection of plastic

Once the plastic has been deposited in the corresponding container, it is transferred to the recycling plants where, at first, it is received and prepared for separation and selection according to its characteristics.

In the first place, those plastics that contain other materials such as metals or remains of dirt or dirt are separated.

They are also usually separated by color, thus saving on the consumption of colorants and it is easier to recycle them.

crushed

The plastic is crushed into very small pieces that are called pellets and that are usually shaped like small balls. In this way, the material is homogeneous and the rest of the process is easier.

washed

Next, the plastic goes to the sinks where it is washed with water and removed so that all the impurities that may have stuck to the plastic are deposited at the bottom.

Drying and spinning

In addition to drying the material, the centrifugation serves to finish getting rid of any foreign material or impurity that may still remain.

Extruded and filtered

The next step is necessary to achieve the final texture with which to work the plastic. It is first melted by heat to create a mass, at this point the color is added.

Once the desired texture is achieved, the material is subjected to a filtering process to finish removing any remainder or impurity that may remain.

Granced

In this step, small balls called pellets are obtained. Subsequently, it is analyzed that they comply with all the established quality requirements, they are packaged and stored.

The recycled plastic would already be ready to be bought and used for the manufacture of other objects.

From home, we must continue to do our part in the plastic recycling process. Remember, it costs nothing, you just have to separate the plastic waste and throw it in the yellow container.

If you have any questions about it, contact us.

 

 

18 June, 2021 Uncategorized Comments Off on The plastic recycling process step by step

Do you know what invisible waste is?

We live in a world, fortunately, increasingly aware of the problem of climate change and more committed to the actions that must be taken to stop it.

But even if we do our part at home and recycle plastic, cardboard, glass … there is a series of waste that we generate without even realizing it and that is a great detriment to our planet.

They are the so-called invisible waste and in today’s post we tell you what they consist of.

What is invisible waste?

Invisible waste is all the garbage that is generated to make an object.

A mobile phone, for example, generates about 86 kilos of waste during its production process, not counting the pollution derived from its continuous use.

Some jeans generate about 25 kilos of waste, it is pollution that we cannot control a priori, but we can do something so that the impact is not so strong.

Extending the useful life of an object will make those invisible residues of which we speak are less.

We can live perfectly without buying a mobile phone every year or without renewing all the clothes in our wardrobe.

How to combat invisible waste?

At a particular level we can reduce consumption, as we mentioned.

On many occasions we buy new objects and discard the old ones when we could still continue using them without problem, only because of fashions or impulses.

If extending the useful life of the object is not possible, we can always recycle it. Either reconverting its use, (with jeans we can create cushions or aprons for example), or depositing them in the corresponding containers for proper recycling.

We know that this is complicated in a society that constantly encourages us to consume, but we must try.

We add more R to our life

In addition to the already known reduce, reuse and recycle, there are 3 Rs that we can put into practice in our day to day.

Fix

We have become accustomed to throwing away objects when they are damaged, but we can take them to a specialized store and repair them to continue using them.

Recover

Surely if we look around our house, we will find a lot of things that we do not use. If we are no longer going to use them, we can give them away or exchange them with someone who is going to use them.

Renovate

That piece of furniture that is in perfect condition but has become a bit outdated can become a new piece of furniture if you give it a coat of paint in a more current color or if you change the handles, for example.

The important thing is to reduce our ecological footprint to the maximum.

25 May, 2021 Uncategorized Comments Off on Do you know what invisible waste is?

Tips for recycling cooking oil
Oil is an element that we use daily in our kitchen and sometimes we use a large amount for frying, for example.
That oil, most of the time, ends up being thrown down the sink, which has a very negative impact on the environment.
In today’s blog we tell you how to properly recycle cooking oil.

The consequences of not recycling oil

Disposing of used oil down the sink drain has very negative consequences for the environment.

Although we associate that oil is a natural element, since we use it in our diet, if it ends up in water it is very polluting.

It is estimated that a liter of used oil that we dispose of incorrectly and ends up in the sea, can contaminate about a thousand liters of water.

In addition, it is very harmful to the pipes, and can clog them.

It can also lead to an increase in pests such as cockroaches and other insects.

What to do with used oil?

The most common thing is to store the oil that we are using to cook in used plastic bottles, whether they are 1.5 liters or 5-liter jugs.

Once the container is full, we must take it to a clean point that has specific containers to dispose of the used oil.

In some cities we can find this type of container in the urban nucleus.

With this oil, once it is recycled, biodiesel can be obtained.

But in addition to recycling it, we can reuse it in different ways.

We can reuse it to spread the molds when making a cake.

If we filter the oil to remove any remaining food or impurities, we can use it to make candles or even soaps.

We can also reuse it to polish wooden furniture or use it as a degreasing oil.

The important thing is not to throw it where we should not and do our bit to protect the environment.

If you are interested in everything related to recycling, visit our blog

 

19 May, 2021 Uncategorized Comments Off on Tips for recycling cooking oil

Vegetable leather from pineapple

Vegetable leather is a must. Currently, the demand for animal skins is high and between 2008 and 2017 the European Union imported more than 10 million skins or leather products such as bags and belts, according to figures compiled by Pro Wildlife.

One of the most consumed products by the automotive industry is leather.

Thus, it is essential to look for alternatives to animal skins with vegetable leather.

There are cheaper and equally aesthetic options such as pineapple vegetable skin or pineapple vegetable leather.

Vegetable leather made from pineapple

This product that has similar properties and characteristics to animal skins.

It also contributes to the conservation of the environment while taking care of the cost.

In the future, it could be considered to create a network between fruit traders and vegetable skins producers, thus also contributing to being a socially responsible project.

Many plants and fruits are recognized for their resistance, either to weather conditions or for the composition of their fibers.

For some years now, brands such as Ananas Anam, have refused the idea of ​​making garments with animal skins and have opted for other circular economy alternatives.

The use of a textile is sought that can be made from the union of the fibers without having to be sewn, with a finish identical to that of animal leather.

Phases of the process

Make a prototype of vegetable skin based on pineapple stem leaves for various

applications takes a process, which is detailed below:

Obtaining raw material

First of all, the raw material must be obtained.

To obtain pineapple leaves, it is necessary to have a supplier of this waste raw material, for this, negotiations are carried out with markets that allow obtaining these waste.

Leafless

Secondly, we proceed with the leaf removal and degumming.

As part of the process, the leaf stalk must be removed from the pineapple leaves, which is removed from the top of it.

For this process it is necessary to carve the pineapple leaf with a metal spoon, along with this with a sandpaper of 3000 water, the cellulose protections of the leaf must be broken until reaching the fibers (thin filaments similar to a thread light brown).

After doing this, the vegetable fiber threads are thoroughly washed until the chlorophyll is completely removed from these leaves.

Dehydration

Then dehydration is carried out, which consists of using vacuum bags with which the dehumidification will be carried out in an oven, a process which will be carried out at 160 degrees Celsius, checking it every 15 minutes so that it does not harden and split.

Tissue

Next, the fibers are woven. In this stage, the pineapple fibers are interlaced one by one to obtain excellent quality.

After obtaining the cellulose from the pineapple, an industrial comber will be used to separate fiber by fiber.

In this process, a little oil will be placed as a humectant, in order not to tangle and thus obtain the pineapple thread with which the fabric will be created.

Laboratory tests

Finally, in order to check the resistance, durability, coloration and ergonomics, tests are carried out in laboratories, in which chemicals and colorants such as glycerin, coconut oil and starch are added to achieve the desired properties.

29 January, 2021 Uncategorized Comments Off on Vegetable leather from pineapple

Recycling of coffee grounds

Thanks to the recycling of coffee grounds, a soft, light, flexible and breathable fabric is achieved.

In addition, garments made from this fabric are resistant to water, UV rays, keep you cool and have odor control properties.

That is why Ecoalf is committed to recycling coffee grounds to make its garments.

The process of recycling coffee grounds is as follows:

– Initially, the grounds are collected in a chain of coffee shops.

– As the used powder is still wet, it is first dried.

– The oil is extracted and the bottom of the coffee is ground until it becomes a powder.

– Then it is transformed into granules that come out of its mixing with recycled polyester polymers.

– And finally, the thread is created.

Negative aspects of the process

As a negative aspect of the coffee grounds recycling process, only one has been found:

– Drying coffee is expensive, as the humidity of the coffee grounds ranges between 60 and 70%.

Positive aspects of the process

Regarding the positive aspects, the following stand out:

– The by-products made through this process, such as pellets, provide 20% more heat and decrease the amount of ashes produced by 10% compared to wood.

– The economy is boosted, since this process creates new jobs.

– It involves savings, since it is a fairly inexpensive process.

– Another of the by-products that can originate through this process is compost. This is much more ecological and economical and among its qualities are the hydrogenation of the earth, since chemical elements are eliminated from other fertilizers.

Today’s blog ends here!

We hope you liked it a lot!

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19 January, 2021 Uncategorized Comments Off on Recycling of coffee grounds

PLASTIC PET: POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS

Today we come to tell you about the many advantages that recycling PET bottles brings.

Although there are many positive aspects, there are also others that are negative.

In today’s blog we take you a bit into this incredible world.

Let’s go there

PET bottles

Negative aspects of the pet:

The main problems that arise with PET are:

– His deposition.

– Notorious presence in the channels of superficial currents and in the drainage.

– Causes clogging and difficulties in the deszolve processes, facilitating

floods.

– Generates garbage.

Currently, it is known that around 9 million bottles are produced each year

of PET, which represent almost a third of the domestic waste generated. Annually, 90 million bottles of soft drinks and purified water are thrown onto public roads, forests and beaches.

These bottles take up to 500 years to degrade.

Promoting the recycling of these bottles is an urgent measure, first with regard to public cleaning and effective management of the integral management of waste, to avoid its accumulation in sanitary landfills and also because it is necessary to move towards a sustainable economy that saves raw material and energy resources.

Positive aspects of the pet:

The main aspects that arise positively after the study carried out are the

which are attached below:

It acts as a barrier for gases such as CO2.

– It is transparent and crystalline, although it admits some colorants

– Unbreakable

– Waterproof

– It is not toxic to a certain degree (necessary quality for this type of products that

are available to the general public).

– It is Inert

– It is resistant to permanent efforts and wear, as it has high rigidity

and toughness.

– It has high chemical resistance and good thermal properties, since it has a great non-deformability to heat.

– It is fully recyclable

– It contains a high resistance to folding and low moisture absorption that make it very suitable for the manufacture of fibers.

For the manufacture of this material, some strategies are implemented to minimize adverse impacts to the environment during production, such as the use of natural gas as an energy source, as well as the control of emissions into the atmosphere through thermal oxidants and the treatment of sewage water.

PET bottles

Production lines:

PET is currently used in three production lines:

PET textile

Used to manufacture synthetic fibers, mainly polyester. It is used for the manufacture of clothing fibers and for filling duvets or pillows, as well as being used in industrial fabrics to manufacture other products such as rubbers and canvases.

PET bottle:

Used to manufacture bottles due to its great resistance to chemical agents, great transparency, lightness and lower manufacturing costs.

PET film:

Used in large quantities for the manufacture of photographic, X-ray and audio film.

Reintegrating this polymer is a new cycle of matter. The general objective is to show an alternative mechanical recycling process aimed at the manufacture of short polyester fibers.

We hope you liked today’s bloga lot!

See you soon!

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See you!

9 December, 2020 Uncategorized Comments Off on PLASTIC PET: POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS

What is compost? 5 tips to do it at home

Compost or compost is a product obtained from different materials of organic origin, which are subjected to a controlled biological oxidation process called composting.

It has an earthy appearance, free of odors and pathogens, it is used as a base fertilizer and as a partial or total substitute for chemical fertilizers.

For anyone who is new to composting, or for those who simply want to improve their compost, we have put together a summary so that you can get it.

In today’s blog, we bring you 5 tips to do it at home. We will tell you about it in the following lines!

Fundamental keys to compost

The 5 fundamental keys are:

Buy a proper compost bin

If you are going to buy a compost bin, we recommend that it be not very large, as it will be perfect for a small garden or patio.

Choose the perfect place to leave it

It’s best placed in a well-drained, level spot, which will prevent excess water and help worms get in and get on with the job of breaking down the contents.

Let the worms do the hard work

Nature has provided us with the perfect waste disposal solution: worms. They can live their whole lives in the dark, and they also love the humid atmosphere.

On the other hand, they will eat the waste material you put in and turn it into compost.

The tiger worm is the most efficient worm we know of, and it loves to eat organic waste.

Put the correct elements

Things that make for good compost include vegetable peels, fruit waste, tea bags, plant pruning, and grass cutting. These decompose quickly and provide significant amounts of nitrogen and moisture.

It’s also good to include things like egg cartons, crumpled paper, and fallen leaves. These rot more slowly, but provide vital fiber and carbon; They also allow significant pockets of air to form in the mix. Crushed eggshells can be included to add helpful minerals.

Let the air in

Adding crumpled pieces of cardboard is an easy way to create pockets of air that will help keep compost healthy.

Air can also be added by mixing the contents.

Today’s blog ends here.

We hope you liked it a lot!

 

1 December, 2020 Uncategorized Comments Off on What is compost? 5 tips to do it at home

Recycled material furniture The most ecological decoration

Apart from energy efficiency, if you want to give your home an ecological touch, opt for types of furniture that use recycled materials for their construction.

Ecological awareness is increasingly present and we pay more and more attention to the world around us.

This concern for the environment is expressed in our homes, choosing more energy efficient homes.

But what about the interior?

Recycled material furniture: recycled and recyclable

One of the pioneers of this type of design is the French Philippe Starck, who in 2012 created the Broom chair.

Source: Pinterest

Made with recycled and recyclable material in its entirety.

The components and waste generated for its production can be divided into wood and plastic to be able to be used again.

One of the newest names to appear in the world of furniture design is Pentatonic.

Pentatonic is a design and technology company that operates in what is known as a circular economy.

This means that they design and create beautiful products and consumer goods that allow a more sustainable and responsible way of daily life, and that can be recycled as many times as desired.

The British company recently unveiled its first collection of home furnishings and accessories made from smartphones, soda cans and cigarette butts at the London Design Festival.

At the same festival, Benjamin Hubert presented his Axyl collection, created for Allermuir, in which he uses recycled aluminum, wood and nylon to make furniture.

The Milo table, by French designer Tristán Titex, uses recycled cutouts from wooden planks and antique furniture.

PET: infinite possibilities

If we talk about recycling, there is something that we cannot forget, and this is PET plastic bottles.

Today, the use of recycled plastic bottles extends far beyond school crafts.

Last year, Ikea decided to create a kitchen made from recycled plastic bottles.

Cardboard furniture

Still don’t have a cardboard furniture at home?

If the answer is no, it sure won’t take you long to do it.

This type of furniture is much more resistant than we think, and there are already countless firms that launch proposals for furniture made with cardboard.

Beds, tables, chairs, sofas … Having a cardboard piece of furniture today is a must.

Source: www.elpais.com

What are you waiting for to be the coolest of the gang of friends? Jump into sustainability!

We hope you have enjoyed the theme.

And that at least it serves so that there are more people who begin to raise awareness about sustainability.

It is necessary and there is no planet B!

If you liked it, do not hesitate to leave it in the comments!

16 November, 2020 Uncategorized Comments Off on Recycled material furniture The most ecological decoration

10 things you didn’t know about the ozone layer

This coming September 16 is the international day for the preservation of the ozone layer.

In today’s post we tell you what it is exactly and 10 things you probably did not know about this essential element for life.

What is the ozone layer?

The ozone layer or ozonosphere is the area of ​​the Earth’s stratosphere that contains a relatively high concentration of ozone.

This layer, which extends from approximately 15 km to 50 km of altitude, gathers 90% of the ozone present in the atmosphere and absorbs 97 to 99% of low-frequency ultraviolet radiation.

This absorption is essential for life on our planet, hence the great concern that it disappear and therefore the immense importance that we preserve it.

10 things you didn’t know about the ozone layer

  1. The ozone layer was first observed in 1912 when Antarctic explorers said they had seen veil-like clouds in the polar stratosphere.
  2. Ozone began to be controlled in 1956 when the Halley Bay Observatory was established in Antarctica.

  1. The ozone layer is also studied from different satellites and aircraft.
  2. Ozone acts as a filter, or protective shield, against harmful, high-energy radiation that reaches the Earth, allowing others to pass through, such as long-wave ultraviolet, which in this way reaches the surface.
  3. The apparatus for measuring ozone in the stratosphere is called a spectrophotometer and was created by the British meteorologist G.M.B Dobson.
  4. Ozone concentration is measured in Dobson units in honor of this meteorologist.
  5. Its chemical formula is O3.
  6. Ozone closest to Earth removes pollutants from the atmosphere.
  7. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the biggest culprit in the hole created and can be found in aerosols, air conditioners, refrigerators … among others.
  8. The ozone layer is located in a strip located between about 20 and about 30 kilometers above us.

The future of the ozone layer

It is believed that the ozone layer could be fully recovered by 2060, if protective measures continue to be applied.

These measures are included in the Montreal Protocol.

The use of industrial refrigerants and some aerosols have been destroying it for years.

Luckily measures are already being taken in this regard and various studies have shown that he is recovering little by little.

 

 

 

9 November, 2020 Uncategorized Comments Off on 10 things you didn’t know about the ozone layer

Kids and recycling Tips for children to learn to recycle

As we have already commented in previous posts, recycling must be incorporated into our day to day as one more routine. Many of us already have it fully assimilated

We know that children are sponges that get used to what we teach them very quickly, so it is very important to teach them to recycle at home from an early age.

In today’s post we give you a few tips so that you can learn to recycle and incorporate that learning into your day to day life.

The importance of teaching children to recycle

As parents, one of the things we want is that our children grow up healthy and happy in a preferably better world than we have now, (pandemic through).

A fundamental part of this purpose is to take care of the environment and be respectful of nature and this teaching is what we must transmit to our children.

It can be explained to a child that paper is obtained from trees and so that they do not disappear, we must try to spend as little paper as possible and that for this we can reuse dirty leaves to draw pictures, for example.

If we also explain that this is important because trees generate oxygen and are essential for the life of many animals, they will understand the true importance of recycling.

Children thus understand that their actions have consequences and that by spending less paper or throwing a plastic bottle where it belongs, they are helping to take care of the planet.

Explain the concept of the three r’s

To better understand the concept of recycling, we can explain the rule of the three R’s, which consists of:

– Reduce spending This can come in handy given the tendency of children to ask for everything. Podemos explicarles que no hay que comprar por comprar porque es perjudicial para la naturaleza

– Re-use We must make the most of everything we can. There are objects that we can surely fix and continue to use or use for another purpose.

There are many ideal crafts to do with children with empty cans or glass jars that we can decorate to use as jars to store markers, for example.

We will have a fun time with them and they will see that we can reuse many objects from our day to day.

-Recycle Putting different containers at home for each of the waste will stimulate the little ones in the house to collaborate in recycling.

We must teach them what type of waste each color corresponds to and place them in an accessible place for them. This way they will get into the habit of throwing the garbage where it belongs.

When it comes to taking it to the container, they can accompany us and help us deposit it where it belongs.

If they feel part of the whole process, it will not cost them to do it regularly at home, learning to recycle as a routine in their day to day.

Values ​​that recycling teaches them

In addition to the very value of recycling and caring for the environment, recycling teaches children to be responsible, since they have to take care of throwing waste where it belongs.

It also teaches them the importance of order, that everything must be put in its proper place, it instills in them that it is necessary to be careful and protect nature as much as possible.

It also helps them promote creativity, when it comes to reusing objects, many crafts can be made with which they will have fun and use their imagination to reconvert certain objects into others.

Let’s teach our children the importance of recycling and we will be giving them a great gift.

 

 

 

 

 

9 November, 2020 Uncategorized Comments Off on Kids and recycling Tips for children to learn to recycle
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