Generally speaking, processes for plastics recycling can be divided into two categories: mechanical and chemical recycling.

Mechanical Recycling

Mechanical recycling usually consists of a size reduction (i.e. shredding or pulverising) of the plastics waste after which the material is sorted, washed, dried, extruded and often compounded. Compounding is the process of mixing or blending in other polymers, additives and fillers in order to create a plastic formulation that meets certain requirements.

Chemical Recycling

Chemical recycling involves chemically returning plastic waste to monomers in order to create new polymers. Their properties are equal to virgin plastics, but the required energy input is higher than for mechanically recycled plastics. In most cases, chemical recycling is not (yet) commercially viable.