You bet plastic film can be shredded! In fact, that’s exactly what those industrial shredders are designed to handle. I remember visiting a recycling facility last year and being amazed at how their massive waste woven bag crusher effortlessly turned flimsy plastic films into uniform flakes. The shredded material looked almost like snowflakes – if snowflakes were made of LDPE packaging scraps!
Why plastic film shredding matters more than you think
What most people don’t realize is that plastic film accounts for nearly 40% of all plastic packaging waste, according to EPA data. That grocery bag you casually toss aside? It could take 10-20 years to decompose in landfills. Shredding transforms these problematic materials into manageable feedstock for recycling – and here’s the kicker – properly shredded film actually increases the efficiency of downstream processing by up to 60% compared to whole pieces.
The process isn’t without its challenges though. Ever tried shredding cling wrap? It’s downright frustrating how it wants to stick to everything! Industrial shredders combat this with specialized blade designs (like those German Dillinger blades) and clever mechanisms that prevent material buildup. Some models even incorporate anti-static treatments – something I wish my home shredder had during that disastrous attempt to recycle old bubble wrap!
Choosing the right shredder: Not all plastic films are created equal
Here’s where things get technical. While most plastic films can be shredded, the equipment needs vary dramatically. Thick agricultural films require heavy-duty cutters, while delicate retail packaging needs finesse. The really interesting part? Some advanced shredders can now automatically adjust blade speeds based on material thickness through real-time monitoring. That Schneider electric system isn’t just there to look pretty!
One surprising fact – did you know shredded plastic film actually fetches better prices in recycling markets? Processors love the consistent particle size (typically between 5-15mm) which melts more evenly. This explains why facilities are investing in those tempering-treated steel housings – they maintain precise tolerances way longer than standard models.
So the next time you ball up that plastic wrapper, picture it getting a second life as shredded raw material. And if you’re in the market for a shredder yourself (hey, we don’t judge DIY recyclers!), remember: that overload protection isn’t just a safety feature – it’s what stands between you and a very expensive “my shredder ate my tarp” situation!
