A Mini Guide to Reusing and Recycling FIBC Bulk Bags
Bulk bags maybe your company’s most convenient option to simplify handling larger quantities of raw materials and industrial products. These bags are designed to be strong to withstand wear and heavy storage, but they also have a longer lifespan than ordinary container bags because of their distinct quality of coming into use multiple times.
FIBC bulk bags are environmentally sustainable, cost-effective alternatives to other storage solutions because of their feasibility of being reused and recycled. However, you should know when and how to re-use or recycle an FIBC bag.
This blog is a mini-user guide to reusing and recycling FIBC bulk bags. Read on.
When To Reuse FIBC Bulk Bags?
Modern FIBC bags are made of materials that make them fit for reuse. However, remember here that single-use bags have a safety factor (SF) of 5:1, which means they can only be used once and are not suitable for reuse. Your FIBC bag should be built with a higher SF of 6:1 to be considered fit for multiple uses.
How To Reuse FIBC Bags?
FIBCA recommends SOPs for cleaning an FIBC bag to deem it reusable. These include –
● Emptying the bag
● Checking for interior damages and wear so that repurposing does not backfire. Reject bags that do not fit safety standards.
● Next, clean the bag of all residual matter. Replace the liner if the bag has one.
● Recondition the bag to enable it to function in its original, high-performing way. Replace the web ties, labels, tickets, and cord-locks if necessary.
● Maintain a log of ‘reuse’ records so that you know exactly when to discard and replace the bag.
● Run a random safety precaution test on the bags to qualify them for reuse.
If you must reject bags during any one of the above processes, consider recycling them.
How are FIBC Bags Recycled?
Since they are made of virgin polypropylene, FIBC bags are fully recyclable and reusable. The recycling facility will follow the process outlined below –
● Collecting bags and classifying them as grade A, B, and C bags. The A bags are the cleanest and whitest, the B bags are noticeably dirty but still mostly white, and the C bags are the dirtiest.
● The next step involves sorting the bags and cleaning them thoroughly of all the materials they contained.
● The recycling facility will then use a shredder to reduce the bags into smaller flakes.
● Next, they will separate the shredded bags on the bases of color, size, and shape, and remove impurities from the polymers.
● Finally, they will melt and recombine polymers, and repurpose them for new products.
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