| December 4, 2002
News Release If Recycled Plastic Products (RPP) has its way, thousands of broken trash cans and recycling bins in the Puget Sound area would be recycled to make heavy-duty trash can wheels. RPP is the most recent partner in King County's LinkUp program, developed to encourage businesses to use more recycled materials in the products they make. RPP collects trash cans and recycling bins that are broken or no longer in use. After first removing the metal parts, the cans are prepared for grinding, done at the company's facility in Bluffdale, Utah. Because RPP uses a thermo-kinetic manufacturing process, it can use waste plastic without first cleaning it. The plastic is ground, compressed, routed and drilled. The result: Trash can wheels that are solid and made of 100 percent recycled plastic. The wheels are heavier and more durable than most original bin wheels, which are usually produced using a blow molding process. Currently, RPP is working to introduce its recycled plastic wheels to trash haulers, solid waste utilities and waste bin manufacturers in the Northwest. Its long-term goal is to open a local processing plant that will manufacture wheels in the Puget Sound region, using locally generated plastics. RPP's initial planned operations in King County will have the capacity to process up to three tons per day. A local facility would mean that transportation costs, along with air emissions from the trucks used to transport the materials, would be significantly reduced. The type of plastic used by RPP is a problem for most King County recyclers because it contains higher-than-usual levels of contamination. Through its unique manufacturing process, RPP can take this low-value plastic and recycle it into higher-value plastic parts. RPP is currently capable of processing nine tons of waste plastic each day. The LinkUp team will help RPP identify and approach local solid waste agencies that might be potential customers for recycled wheels and other RPP products. The team will also provide marketing assistance. Launched in 2000, LinkUp encourages businesses and manufacturers to incorporate more recycled materials into their products. Sponsored by the King County Solid Waste Division, LinkUp offers free and customized technical and promotional support to eligible businesses. As a participant in the LinkUp program, RPP joins other businesses that manufacture products using recycled materials. They include:
LinkUp works with an average of six new businesses each year. For more information about the LinkUp program, contact Erv Sandlin at (206)296-0233 or visit the program Web site. Related Information
King County Solid Waste Division |
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