Plastic hangers have become an integral part of our daily lives due to their lightweight, durability and low cost, gradually replacing wooden and metal hangers.
However, most of the billions of plastic hangers produced globally each year end up being discarded or buried in landfills.
Although the plastics themselves are recyclable, the shape, material and contamination of hangers means that they are recycled at a much lower rate than other plastic products.
So, can plastic hangers actually be recycled? How can we address this challenge? In this article, we will explore the challenge of recycling plastic coat hangers and propose practical solutions.
Raw Materials for Plastic Hangers
The main raw materials used to manufacture plastic coat hangers are ABS, PS, PP, etc.
- ABS
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic is made of acrylonitrile, styrene and butadiene copolymerization of composite plastics, ABS plastic hanger surface smooth, hardness, can be molded in various shapes and colors, but its toughness is poor, not very suitable for curvature of the hanger, the production cost is relatively high.
PS
PS (Polystyrene) plastic is processed polymer. PS plastic hangers are lighter, moderate hardness, easy to clean, but its toughness is poor, prolonged use will be easy to break or crack the situation, the production cost is cheaper, the price is relatively low.
PP
PP (Polypropylene) plastic is a polymer, high melting point, toughness, PP plastic hangers low cost, toughness, light weight. But it has fewer color choices, and the surface texture is relatively simple and plain.
Manufacturing Process of Plastic Clothes Hanger
The manufacturing of plastic hangers is mainly divided into two processes: injection molding and extrusion molding.
Injection Molding Process
The injection molding process is a manufacturing technique in which plastic powder is heated and melted, and then injected into the mold through an injection machine to form the final hanger.
The advantages of the injection molding process are high production efficiency, short production cycle, high product precision and quality stability. Plastic hangers manufactured through the injection molding process, the appearance of the shape is easier to fine-tune, better functionality, more delicate workmanship.
However, the cost of injection molding process is higher, so the price of plastic hangers is relatively expensive.
Extrusion Molding Process
Extrusion is a manufacturing process in which softened plastic material is fed into a barrel and die tube with a screw directly pressurized to pressurize, heat and extrude it.
Extrusion molding process is characterized by production automation process is relatively simple, low cost, but the form of the product is more limited. The shape and quality of extruded plastic hangers are relatively single and plain.
Three Core Technologies of Plastic Hanger Mold
In the production of plastic coat hangers, the use of efficient mold technology is key to ensuring quality and efficiency.
Intelligent Runner System: Delivers molten plastic with uniform injection into the mold, which improves production efficiency and product consistency.
Accurate Slider and Ejection System: The slider moves horizontally to eject the finished hanger from the mold smoothly and without damage.
Fast-Action Cooling System: The cooling channels inside the mold quickly and evenly cool the plastic hanger, ensuring its strength and dimensional stability, allowing it to meet high-quality standards.
Are Plastic Hangers Recyclable?
Although the plastic itself can be recycled, plastic coat hangers are recycled at a much lower rate than other plastic products due to their irregular shapes, complex materials, and contaminant issues.
Types of Plastic Hangers and Their Recyclability
Polystyrene (PS) Plastic Hangers
Polystyrene is lightweight and cost-effective, but its recyclability is challenging due to its brittleness and susceptibility to contamination. The cost of cleaning increases with one of the contaminants, especially oil and dye, driving the overall percentage lower.
Polypropylene (PP) Plastic Hangers
Polypropylene is more durable than polystyrene, with a longer lifespan and relatively better recyclability. While polypropylene hangers are easier to clean than polystyrene, they are still affected by irregular shapes and contamination, requiring specialized equipment for recycling.
ABS Plastic Hangers
Hangers made of ABS plastic are resistant to impact and offer long service; however, it is much harder to recycle since they require high-temperature processing and also complex sorting procedures. If the plastic had any metallic component, it further complicates the recycling.
Barriers to Recycling Plastic Hangers
Shape and Size Issues
Plastic hangers have irregular shapes, often with hooks and varying sizes, making sorting and processing during recycling more difficult. Most recycling equipment is designed to handle standardized plastic items, so hangers are harder to process.
Contamination Issues
Hangers are often contaminated with dirt, oil, or dye, making it hard to remove them and adding to cleaning costs. Contaminated hangers may not get through the recycling process and may end up being discarded.
Limitations of Recycling Facilities
Many recycling facilities lack the equipment to handle large or complex items like hangers. As a result, most plastic hangers are thrown away or incinerated rather than recycled.
To create a better environment for recycling plastic hangers, it is necessary to improve recycling equipment, use materials that are easier to recycle, and cut down on pollution. The government can also introduce policies favoring recycling and shove companies towards adopting environmentally friendly production means.
Conclusion
Plastic hangers can be recycled, but it is difficult to do so because of their irregular shape and complex materials. If materials that are easier to recycle are selected and the mold design is optimized, the hangers produced will be simpler and easier to recycle.
Mold suppliers like Otivic, who have many large CNC machines, are able to produce these orders efficiently.
We produce up to 30 hanger molds per year, thus gaining years of experience. Therefore, choose us to better increase the recycling rate of plastic hangers.