Hosted by Jim Starkweather
Question about Polystyrene & recycling
Juggler
Michigan, United States
Member Since: April 17, 2006
entire network: 104 Posts
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Member Since: April 17, 2006
entire network: 104 Posts
KitMaker Network: 17 Posts
Posted: Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 08:48 AM UTC
I was wondering if polystyrene has a # like in those triangles you see on plastic containers that is used for recycling purposes? Just looking for a cheap and easy resource for plastic stock.
redshirt
United States
Member Since: January 26, 2007
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Member Since: January 26, 2007
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Posted: Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 09:29 AM UTC
Juggler
Michigan, United States
Member Since: April 17, 2006
entire network: 104 Posts
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Member Since: April 17, 2006
entire network: 104 Posts
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Posted: Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 10:16 AM UTC
Thanks redshirt.
I don't recall ever seeing #6 on a container. Got any hints on where they may be had?
Juggler
I don't recall ever seeing #6 on a container. Got any hints on where they may be had?
Juggler
redshirt
United States
Member Since: January 26, 2007
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Member Since: January 26, 2007
entire network: 270 Posts
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Posted: Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 11:16 AM UTC
First use :Compact disc jackets, food service applications, grocery store meat trays, egg cartons, aspirin bottles, cups, plates, cutlery.
Recycled use (may be a little more brittle):
Thermometers, light switch plates, thermal insulation, egg cartons, vents, desk trays, rulers, license plate frames, foam packing, foam plates, cups, utensils
Your probably not to interested in the foamed stuff. Not included in this list but very suitable for the purpose is signage such as the promotional signs at some stores – like the old beware of dog signs. I doubt that they will be numbered though.
thanks to Carface Chuck McNeese
https://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net/forums/14629&page=1
The last piece that I came across was a fresh mushroom tray.
Recycled use (may be a little more brittle):
Thermometers, light switch plates, thermal insulation, egg cartons, vents, desk trays, rulers, license plate frames, foam packing, foam plates, cups, utensils
Your probably not to interested in the foamed stuff. Not included in this list but very suitable for the purpose is signage such as the promotional signs at some stores – like the old beware of dog signs. I doubt that they will be numbered though.
thanks to Carface Chuck McNeese
https://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net/forums/14629&page=1
The last piece that I came across was a fresh mushroom tray.
DaveInTheHat
Pennsylvania, United States
Member Since: June 24, 2007
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Member Since: June 24, 2007
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Posted: Friday, July 06, 2007 - 06:28 AM UTC
The cheapest way I found to get polystyrene is to buy it in 4' x 8' sheets. Some plastic supply places will cut it into more manageable sizes too.
Posted: Friday, July 06, 2007 - 09:05 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Just looking for a cheap and easy resource for plastic stock.
Beware using styrene from other sources for building. A lot of the styrene used commercially has specific additives as needed for that commercial use. There are literally thousands of formulations of styrene available depending on what you want to use it for. Pure polystyrene is crystal clear and really brittle (Think aircraft kit canopies). Anything not clear has a witches brew of additives. Double check how glues and paints react to "found" scrap plastic before you build your "life's work" out of it. For example, a lot of stuff that looks & acts like styrene can be ABS and normal styrene cement doesn't work at all on that stuff.
Just a head's up.
Paul
matt
Campaigns Administrator
New York, United States
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Posted: Friday, July 06, 2007 - 10:35 AM UTC
I know first hand that the signs they use in Home Depot (the big flip up ones on the racking) is polystyrene. it works great it's about .060" stuff
Augie
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Friday, July 06, 2007 - 10:52 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I know first hand that the signs they use in Home Depot (the big flip up ones on the racking) is polystyrene. it works great it's about .060" stuff
Hmmm, Home Depot you say......hmmmmmmmmmmm
matt
Campaigns Administrator
New York, United States
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Posted: Friday, July 06, 2007 - 09:18 PM UTC
Let's say they were replacing them in Millwork one night... and I talked the ASM into letting me take them after i "destroyed" them by cutting them in 1/2.......... I have more .060" sheet than i could use in well, a LOOOOONG time............