Plastic Recycling Machines: Complete Guide to Equipment Selection and Operation

Plastic recycling machines convert post-consumer and post-industrial waste into valuable reusable materials, reducing landfill pressure while supporting global circular-economy goals. Rumtoo Machine provides advanced, customized recycling solutions that reliably process PET bottles, HDPE containers, PP films, and rigid plastics using integrated shredding, washing, and pelletizing technologies.

Global plastic production exceeded 400 million tons in 2023, yet recycling rates remain under 10% (OECD). Modern plastic recycling equipment—especially high-efficiency systems from Rumtoo—helps bridge this gap by delivering stable performance, low energy consumption, and long-term return on investment.

Core Plastic Recycling Machine Types

Shredders and Granulators

Rumtoo shredders reduce bulky items into flakes using high-torque blade assemblies. Single-shaft shredders handle drums, crates, and pallets; dual-shaft models process films, packaging, and flexible materials. Granulators complete fine size reduction, producing uniform 8–20 mm particles suitable for washing systems.

Key specifications include motor power (15–200 kW), throughput (300–3,000 kg/h), and wear-resistant blades made from D2 or SKD-11 tool steel.

Washing Systems

Rumtoo washing lines remove contaminants through pre-washing, hot washing (60–85°C), friction cleaning, and float-sink separation. High-speed friction washers at 900–1,200 RPM remove dirt, labels, and organics effectively.

Our water-recirculation designs reduce fresh water usage to 1–2 m³ per ton. Sink-float tanks ensure density-based separation—PET sinks (1.38 g/cm³) while PP/PE floats (0.90–0.95 g/cm³).

Pelletizing Equipment

Rumtoo extrusion systems convert clean flakes into high-quality pellets. Single-screw units suit HDPE/PP rigid plastics (200–1,500 kg/h), while twin-screw systems optimize degassing and mixing for contaminated films.

Water-ring pelletizers produce uniform 3–5 mm pellets. Centrifugal dryers achieve final moisture levels below 1%.

Material-Specific Processing Requirements

PET Bottle Recycling

PET requires hot caustic washing at 80–85°C with 1–3% NaOH for adhesive removal. Rumtoo PET lines include de-labelers, metal separators, and optical sorters, achieving 95%+ purity and IV values above 0.70 dL/g.

PE/PP Film Processing

Agricultural films and post-consumer packaging need powerful dewatering solutions. Rumtoo screw-press dewaterers and centrifugal dryers reduce moisture from 40% to under 3%. Two-stage pelletizing with 80–120 mesh filtration stabilizes melt quality.

Rigid HDPE/PP Containers

Wet granulation prevents thermal degradation while float-sink separation produces clean mono-material streams for higher-value resale.

Critical Selection Factors

Processing Capacity

Select equipment based on material volume. Rumtoo offers 200–3,000 kg/h configurations suitable for small recycling stations and full industrial operations.

Material Contamination Level

Highly contaminated films require more aggressive pre-washing and friction cleaning. Industrial scrap with low contamination can use simplified lines.

End-Product Specifications

Applications such as food-grade rPET require FDA-compliant processing and consistent pellet properties. Textile-grade pellets demand low contamination (≤50 ppm) and stable MFI.

Operational Environment

Rumtoo systems adapt to 380–480V 3-phase power, municipal or recycled water sources, and 300–800 m² factory layouts per 1 ton/hour line.

Integration and Automation

Rumtoo integrates PLC controls, touchscreen HMIs, overload protection, and metal detection. IoT connectivity enables remote diagnostics, production visibility, and predictive maintenance.

Sequential interlocking prevents jams, while VFD-controlled motors optimize energy consumption.

Performance Metrics and ROI

• Material recovery rate: 85–95%
• Energy consumption: 0.4–0.8 kWh/kg
• Water usage: 0.5–2 m³/ton with recirculation
• Pellet moisture: <1%

Typical payback periods range from 18–36 months depending on material cost and utilization. Food-grade rPET often commands premium pricing.

Maintenance and Long-Term Operation

Rumtoo recommends the following schedules to extend equipment life beyond 10 years:

• Sharpen blades every 400–600 hours
• Replace washing screens quarterly
• Lubricate bearings regularly
• Inspect heating elements annually

We supply essential spare parts—blades, screens, seals, belts—for rapid shipment and minimal downtime.

Regulatory Compliance

Rumtoo systems meet CE, UL, and ISO 9001 requirements. Testing includes melt flow rate (ASTM D1238), tensile strength (ASTM D638), and FDA contamination analysis where required.

Equipment Details

Summary

Choosing the right plastic recycling machine requires understanding material properties, contamination levels, capacity goals, and end-product requirements. Rumtoo provides turnkey, high-reliability recycling solutions backed by professional engineering, installation, and technical support—helping your factory achieve strong productivity, stable quality, and long-term sustainability.