Research
Limit in a US safety standard
A US safety standard lets a molder mix up to 25 percent regrind into new plastic without new tests.
Official or measured
A US safety standard for parts molded from plastics
Grinding beside the press
Ground beside the press, leftover plastic goes back into the same job, clean and unmixed.
Industry source
Trade guides for injection molders
Customer limits on regrind
Customers who allow regrind often cap it at 15 to 25 percent. Some jobs allow none.
Industry source
Trade guides for injection molders
Plastic weakens with each melt
Each melt weakens plastic a little, so the share of regrind is capped and weighed.
Supplier's claim
Resin suppliers' processing guides
Grinder and blender prices
A grinder beside a press costs $3,000 to 15,000. A blender that weighs the mix costs more.
Supplier's claim
Equipment suppliers' price ranges for grinders and blenders
Our own estimates
The pounds, running costs and recycler price are our estimates, not measured at this plant.
Our estimate
Our estimate