Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Plastic Oil Bottle Recycling
EPA Contract Number: EPD06036Title: Plastic Oil Bottle Recycling
Investigators: Markiewicz, John
Small Business: CRI Recycling Services, Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2006 through August 31, 2006
Project Amount: $66,973
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2006) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Waste , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development
Description:
It is estimated that more than 3 billion bottles are disposed of annually, the majority into sanitary landfills. An estimated 400 million pounds of recyclable plastic, primarily high density polyethylene (HDPE), and an estimated 25 million gallons of recyclable oil are disposed of each year. CRI Recycling Services, Inc. (CRI) has developed and commercialized a recycling technology that offers generators an environmentally acceptable alternative for managing their solid oily wastes. Absorbents have been the primary focus of this recycling effort. CRI proposes to extend the use of this technology to the problem of empty plastic oil bottles. Similar to the absorbents, oil would be extracted from the plastic using a liquefied gas solvent, which would allow both the oil and cleaned plastic to be recycled. Target generators range from the “do-it-yourselfers,” who periodically must dispose of a handful of bottles, to “quick change” oil facilities, auto mechanics, and auto parts stores that may need to dispose of much larger quantities.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
CRI demonstrated that the concept is technically feasible. Oily plastic bottles can be readily shredded so that a single 55-gallon drum can hold 1,600 bottles. The process produces oil-free plastic and high-grade oil valued at approximately $40/drum of material processed. CRI estimates that costs for producing these recycled products would total approximately $140/drum. To minimize costs associated with accumulating and receiving the plastic, CRI has proposed a model whereby generators would place a shredder (developed to CRI specifications) in their facilities and shred the plastic as it is produced, allowing CRI to pick up full drums of shredded plastic. Communities, regulatory bodies, and generators were introduced to this new service with positive feedback.
Conclusions:
Because the value of the recycled products is significantly less than the costs for producing those products, generators, communities, and/or local regulatory agencies would need to financially participate in the program for the business to be economically viable. Based on feedback from customers, regulatory agencies, and communities, CRI remains enthusiastic about recycling plastic oil bottle waste using this model.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, oily wastes, recycling, landfills, plastic bottles, surface water, groundwater, liquefied gases, liquefied gas solvent, EPA, pollution prevention, waste, waste reduction, materials handling, municipal solid waste landfills, municipal waste, municipal waste plastics, plastic containers, plastics, recovered materials, solid waste, urban waste, waste disposal, waste management, waste oil, plastic, high density polyethylene, HDPE, solvent extraction,, Scientific Discipline, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Waste, POLLUTION PREVENTION, Environmental Chemistry, Municipal, waste reduction, recycling, Environmental Engineering, municipal waste plastics, materials handling, waste minimization, plastic containers, municipal waste, recovered materials, municipal solid waste landfills, oil waste, plastics, solid waste, waste management, urban wasteThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.