Submitted by tom mele (not verified) on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 22:17.
Hello,
I am a long time professional recycler of metals and plastics. Other than degradation by UV/sunlight I was unaware that normal polyethylene can be biodegraded. We currently crack polyethylene in the absence of oxygen and reburn the fume as a heat and power source. Part of this heat is then used to keep the process going. The byproducts are CO2 and water and aside from pigments the process is environmentally sound and yields about 30,000 BTUs per kg of PE Waste. Much faster than biodgradation and an excellent fuel.
PE Degradation
Hello,
I am a long time professional recycler of metals and plastics. Other than degradation by UV/sunlight I was unaware that normal polyethylene can be biodegraded. We currently crack polyethylene in the absence of oxygen and reburn the fume as a heat and power source. Part of this heat is then used to keep the process going. The byproducts are CO2 and water and aside from pigments the process is environmentally sound and yields about 30,000 BTUs per kg of PE Waste. Much faster than biodgradation and an excellent fuel.