The recycling of 25 litre plastic drums used to supply process chemistry into the printed circuit board (PCB) and metal finishing industries

Twenty five litre plastic drums are widely used throughout industry and find application in the printed circuit board (PCB) and metal finishing sectors for the supply of process chemistry to manufacturers. These drums represent an important source of recyclable high density polyethylene since the containers are made of single polymer and constitute an easily recognisable waste stream that provides a homogeneous recyclate. This paper summarises some of the obstacles that have to date inhibited the recycling of the containers used in the PCB and related sectors. It also details work to identify a viable recycling pathway and describes a number of real applications in which the recyclate can be put to use. The issues of contamination that have prevented recycling of these containers are also discussed and plans to establish a proposed industrial cross‐sectoral recycling scheme are also outlined.