Make sure the truck is clean and free from other potential contaminants before loading your plastic. Remember, if your ultimate goal is to have the plastics you process end up in a high-quality recycled product, then you must provide your market with consistently pure material that can perform in the same way as virgin material. For that reason, you need to think of yourself not only as a recycler but also as a raw material supplier. APC has detailed information available on the steps MRF operators and handlers can take to control for quality and establish an effective plastics processing business. Plastics degrade with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light.
Degradation results in a deterioration of the physical properties of the plastic.
Flexible resins, such as polyethylene, may become so brittle that slight flexing will cause them to crack. Plastics stored outside should therefore be covered with a UV-protective material. The need for protection varies by resin. The sooner you can build quality control mechanisms into your system, the more successful you will be at generating high quality material. Therefore, your quality message must start with the consumer.