1. PEX Is Recyclable
© PPFA 2015

2. What is PEX? PE X Polyethylene - cross-linked Polyethylene
(Used to make products such as
milk bottles, toys and containers)
PEX
Higher heat resistance
Long term pressure-holding capability
Resists “creeping” and cracking
More strength and abuse resistance
Crosslinking
© PPFA 2015

3. That reason is crosslinking.
The primary reason that PEX is such a great material for making tubing to distribute hot and cold pressurized water is the same reason why the recycling characteristics of PEX are different than those for most other plastic piping materials.
That reason is crosslinking.
© PPFA 2015

4. Crosslinking affects recycling methods
PEX Tubing
Crosslinked
Crosslinked materials cannot be ‘re-melted’
Re-melting would be necessary to produce additional tubing
Other Plastic Piping
(PVC, ABS, PE, CPVC)
Not crosslinked
Can be ‘re-melted’
Can be used to produce additional pipe or tubing
© PPFA 2015

5. How is recycled PEX used?
PEX is an “extender” for other durable plastic-based products, such as:
Decking Reuseable Pallets Tote Bins
© PPFA 2015

6. What does recyclable PEX come from?
Manufacturing ‘Off-Spec’ Installation Overage End-of-Use
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7. The recycling process has several steps
Collection of pipe or tubing
Removal of contaminants
Color segregation (if needed)
Grinding (granulation or shredding)
Secondary size reduction (pulverizing)
Incorporation into other products
© PPFA 2015

8. Post Consumer Collection?
PEX tube intended for recycling must be collected in sufficient quantity to make it practical for recycling.
PEX classified off-spec is easily collected by the manufacturing facility. Many producers currently have in-house programs.
An efficient method of collection of installation scrap is not currently available, though some pipe producers may have programs in place with their respective customers.
PEX pipe has a very long in-service lifetime and most has been installed within the past ten years. Thus, there is currently virtually no requirement for recycling of PEX that has reached the end of its in-use lifetime.
© PPFA 2015

9. Removal of Tramp Material
Foreign material (e.g., metal, wood, paper) is removed.
Segregation (Color)
Most PEX tubing producers offer PEX in different colors.
Depending on the type of product into which the recycled PEX will be incorporated, segregation of the individual colors may be necessary
© PPFA 2015

10. Size Reduction Primary Secondary
The tubing must be reduced in size in order to make it easily handled and transportable
Tubing is first ground or shredded to create small ‘granules’ (typically 1/8 to 1/2 inch in longest dimension)
Secondary
Using sophisticated pulverizing techniques, the granules are further reduced in size to a fine powder.
© PPFA 2015

11. Size Reduction
Granules (foreground) are further reduced in pulverizer (background)
Pulverized material is prepared for shipment
Primary Reduction
to granules
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12. Re-processing
In this case, the ‘recycled’ PEX is blended with polyethylene and melt-processed into other products such as the ‘sheet’ shown here. The sheet is then formed into durable objects.
© PPFA 2015

13. PEX tubing is recyclable
© PPFA 2015