Precious Plastic USA

See what you can do to start helping in your state today! Please feel free to contact me with any questions :) https://preciousplastic.com/starterkits/overview.html

Precious Plastic Starterktis

Starterkits are packages of information with everything you need to know to set up Precious Plastic recycling spaces and start tackling the plastic waste problem.

@Francis my machine is in Staunton in the shenandoah valley. What are you looking for?

Hey! Our project is based in Fairfax (GMU) looking to do a shredding & creation workshop in the upcoming months!

4:21 PM

We don't have any machines developed yet, but we want to assess other spaces and see if we can build to partner (edited)

4:21 PM

What machines do you run?

Right now we only have the shredder but are working on getting a 3D printer setup and oven machine going.

4:23 PM

Do you have anything yet? Research? Parts?

A lot of what we have is research & documentation

4:25 PM

We were supposed to begin development around March 2020 but couldn't continue for COVID reasons (edited)

is space being provided by GMU?

I completely understand about the covid stuff. We took a pause for a couple of months. What kind of research have you done? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to figure out where you are.

@ObjectZero It was originally going to be a space provided by the Uni, but we aren't really sure where that stands currently @Nargrax We did work in financing the project, local community interest and plastic molding emissions reduction

do you have a current goals outline?

Yeah!

4:36 PM

We basically want to begin as a creation space so that we can purchase from local shredders and develop a small scale student-run goods production

The absolute biggest thing I'd recommend you do is research/find the parts. I went in thinking it'd be easy but ended up spending 3 years and $3000 of my own money. Granted I didn't have the backing of a university and did a lot my myself.

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4:38 PM

That was just for the shredder. So are you looking to only do production and no shredding yourself?

I'm the more the creation side. I don't have they supplies to feed a shredder and make it worthwhile. I design and test cast aluminum molds

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Right now we want to be able to scale down our original thoughts and just stick to creation, but perhaps expand to shredding eventually

well the creation side changes depending on what you want to make. Could range from a simple weld job all they way to CNC milling

Okay. The same thing applies. Before you commit, make sure you can find the parts and machines you need. My small creative collective doesn't have the tools PP has. Like @ObjectZero said, the tools needed can vary greatly. We don't have laser or water cutters so I had to spend $800 to get two shredder cores.

ya I have to out sources my plasma and CNC milling

4:45 PM

casting and basic welding I can handle in shop

4:46 PM

I can't do TIG till I install a new breaker

Agreed. We have 'access' to CNC milling, except because of COVID restrictions on our shops we have much more limited access now

Also it took me forever to find a suitable motor for the shredder because there were very specific specifications needed and I don't have $2000 to spend on just the motor. If you're looking for pure production and specifically the 3D printer side, I may recomm you look at a machine called the filastruder. Im looking to buy one and I think they're around $350. Much cheaper and easier than trying to build a machine yourself

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You're right about parts. @Nargrax It can get tricky in making sure we have what we need to build them at the right time or the funds to buy

does that come with the water tank

@ObjectZero I believe one does but I cannot say for certain, that's outside of my expertise

Another question I have is how many machines are you looking to have? The oven machine I think I got all the parts for under $100, but they can be slow. (Haven't looked at their upgraded ones yet) If you also want the 3D printing setup it can be more. Sounds like @ObjectZero can talk more about the other machines though.

4:58 PM

I'm not trying to discourage, it's a great idea. Just trying to help you see everything you need before you get going

honestly with access to a CNC you solve most of your main problems

5:00 PM

basic injectors are easy

I completely agree about the cnc

@Nargrax what do you do with the plastic you shred?

For right now nothing. We got the shredder up about 2 months ago and I've just been shredding 3 years worth of my own plastic. We're planning on getting the filastruder and make stuff using a 3D printer and building the oven to do whatever molds people can come up with. You?

I design tools, mainly for leather work. Got in to injection mold due to cost on small production runs

5:08 PM

the cost on some small run items was well outside the MSRP goal

5:08 PM

so I just did it myself

5:11 PM

@Nargrax what printer you using? I have an old and busted delta, back when deltas where new

5:11 PM

I'm well past due for an upgrade

Cool. We haven't gotten the printer yet but we have a 3D printer guild that's gonna help us. Where do you get your plastic? Doesn't sound like you have a shredder.

5:14 PM

@Francis Anything else we can help with?

I buy it online, I generally deal with HDPE

5:17 PM

since I make tools, I try not to make limited use items

5:18 PM

can't say I've ever printed with recycled plastic

How does that work for you? Are they durable? We have a couple hundred milk jugs in the process of being shredded but we're worried about the end product durability.

durable enough, as long as the injection is set up right you won't lose any durability

5:23 PM

just have to find that sweet spot on temp'

5:24 PM

they can tell you 150 or 300 all they want, but pigments and other small particals will throw that right out the window

Yeah, I've noticed that almost nothing PP says is as simple as they make it out to be. They said the shredder would be easy but it took me 3 years to get it built. We've been experimenting with a toaster oven to get general temperature ranges

I'm a blacksmith so building high temp control was already is my skill list when I started

5:31 PM

messing with PID's is just another day

5:32 PM

if you're looking in to filament production I figure your looking extruder style of production

We're also planning on building the oven machine so that's why we're experimenting. The filament is just to get some product going

I'm not sure I've seen the oven machine, what's it mainly used for? sounds like something that would make sheet goods

It's a compression machine for moulds. You can make whatever kind of mould can fit in the oven. Sheets, vases, bowls, etc.

oh so you'd be able to use larger particals of plastic

Yes but tbh it was also that we can't make the injection moulds like you use. The moulds for the oven are much easier to make. Just some welding plates together.

I'm currently tinkering with a refactory mix to cast molds for plastic injection (edited)

6:06 PM

I'm trying to cut down the entry level for injection

6:07 PM

no trials yet, the surface finish wasn't to my spec's

Yeah it isn't really an entry level machine. So are your trials productive at least? The other thing is that the moulds on the PP bazaar aren't exactly cheap.

they're some what, it's enough to cover my sales. The whole Covid thing kind of mixed things up for people. A lot of the dealers I worked with that go to shows and sell my tools couldn't go. (edited)

Gotcha. So are you able to make a profit? I originally wanted to start a shredding business but the numbers and logistics just went the total opposite direction.

yes but it's only small, but that more due to me not charging a hell of a lot. If I changed my business model and went larger scale and retail I could make more. But I take very little joy from that and this is only my side hussle

6:26 PM

like my dye bottle holds only goes for about $10 most of that is profit. I think I only spend a couple bucks making them. If i scaled up I couple get the cost down to a few cents and people have already told me they're happy to pay double. But not my style.

Nice. I feel the same way. When I was setting things up people said they'd be willing to pay a lot but the amount of work to collect, clean, shred, and then make product is a lot. Your way seems simpler but I'm trying to not use new plastic.

ya when I started the whole PP thing wasn't around

6:32 PM

anyways people like the mixed up tye-dye look recycled plastics have

6:33 PM

makes an extra selling point

6:33 PM

cause what ever they buy will pretty much be one of a kind

Agreed. I would recommend looking to buy a shredder, industrial or PP, rather than build one if you ever do want to get into that.

ya just sure I have the amount of plastic collection to make that worthwhile

6:40 PM

it's easier to buy it from other people that shred

6:40 PM

they generally already have the collection network built up

I've thought about that as well. Have you found many recyclers selling the plastic?

local no, in the US not a lot and oversea tons

7:01 PM

generally I just look for a nice mix of colors and buy by the sack or ton

Wow. Not really surprising though. Seems like less and less american companies are recycling plastic themselves.

oddly Africa does a better job

7:07 PM

but I try to aim for UK or Eastern countries, shipping is easier

7:08 PM

also less likely having to reclean the plastic

7:08 PM

easy to do in a washing machine

7:08 PM

just don't let your other half find out

Interesting. Hadn't thought of using a washing machine. I'll have to try that later.

7:13 PM

Gotta go to work. Nice meeting you!

Nargrax

For right now nothing. We got the shredder up about 2 months ago and I've just been shredding 3 years worth of my own plastic. We're planning on getting the filastruder and make stuff using a 3D printer and building the oven to do whatever molds people can come up with. You?

Did you get the filastruder up and running?

I've ordered it but it hasn't arrived. No idea how long it'll take. I'll send an update when I get it built. You looking at it as well?

Hey Virginia folks! I'm in Greene County (a bit north of Charlottesville). Just getting started doing a little research on how to recycle all the plastic that seems to come in and go out of my house (and not really trusting of the "recycling" available locally to not end up in landfill). Just getting started on the journey, looking forward to learning more!

@Nargrax you don't happen to be out of the Staunton maker space do you (i'm over in Greene County)

I am. Are you also a member?

no, im not. i just moved here not too long before covid and had a newborn then, so not a lot of free time, but heard lots of good things about it!

Gotcha. It's a good place. I couldn't have built my shredder without them. The one I've built is actually the spaces.

hi Deadpool

5:47 PM

which version of shredder have you built?

V3. The basic machine. If anyone in va would like to come to Staunton to look at it and talk more I'd be happy to help.

5:50 PM

We don't have the tools to make the big one

i have begun to build 2.1

5:50 PM

need to know where did you get your AC motor and gearbox for it?

5:51 PM

you are about 4 and half hours away from me

I had a helluva time finding a motor because we didn't want to buy a new one, but one of our members donated our motor and we got the gearbox from surplus center. Here's a google sheet with where people from PP USA have gotten their parts. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qSNUukWd7m4Fu_FIUrrukIoTWbmztkehp8v1GCE4RR8/edit?usp=drivesdk

PP USA part list

Shredder How to add this sheet! 1. Add a new row for each item. [right click on the column index and click "insert one below"] 2. Add your name to the first column [and CA or US in brackets to denote your location], followed by the product Id and any other pertinant specifications. 3. Provide l...

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thanks man! very helpful

5:57 PM

I assume there are more of these shared doc availble for US folks

5:59 PM

man, these motors are expensive

I'd imagine but as far as I know this is the main one for parts. From my understanding there hadn't been much of an effort to do this. My best recommendation for used motors would be craigslist or a metal scrapyard.

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what motor AC brand you were donated?

6:03 PM

will try craigslist

It's an old GE motor. If you are/have access to an electrician that'd make things easier.

thank you!

Yup! If you have questions feel free to ask. One HUGE thing I'd recommend before you start is figure out how much everything will cost. There are people in the US that sell prebuilt shredders for around $2500. If you're going to spend around that much I'd recommend looking into just buying one. I spent 3 years and about 3000 to 3500 on ours. Lol.

3 years, but how many actual days it took you to build it, you were not full time on this for 3 years

6:30 PM

if I follow the motors and gearbox that pauldufour has used, i can probably build all of it under 2000$

6:30 PM

hopefully

No, but we also didn't have all the parts as we built. It took a year to build but that was with a pandemic break and getting parts as you build. If you have all the tools and parts it shouldn't take too long. We also had to use wood because we don't know how to weld.

that's cool, so you used wooden box for the shredder and the table

6:33 PM

that I like

6:33 PM

is it stable?

We only used wood for the frame. We used a sawhorse plan and it's pretty stable but I'd imagine steel would be better.

How to register as a seller and post my product to precious plastic ?

Hello! I’m looking to get started in southwestern Virginia. Anybody in this area? Looking to network and also looking to purchase machines if anyone is selling any.

Where are you? I'm in the Staunton area.

Linda Vida

Hello! I’m looking to get started in southwestern Virginia. Anybody in this area? Looking to network and also looking to purchase machines if anyone is selling any.

I am planning to have a mini shredder available by the end of the year if you are looking for something that's a smaller investment and lower risk.

I already have a mini shredder I've been looking to sell.

Oooh how much?

I also have a filastruder available.

Alexandra Morrison(aka Lexi)

Oooh how much?

Between $250 and $400 depending on how much it cost to make.

Nargrax

Where are you? I'm in the Staunton area.

I’m in Claudville, Patrick County.

OptimisticAtom

I am planning to have a mini shredder available by the end of the year if you are looking for something that's a smaller investment and lower risk.

Definitely interested! Where are you located?

Nargrax

I also have a filastruder available.

How much for each?

Linda Vida

Definitely interested! Where are you located?

Florida, but I can ship it easily since it a smol boy.

OptimisticAtom

Florida, but I can ship it easily since it a smol boy.

I moved here from Florida a year and a half ago.

I have a motor and a stand but I need a shredder box

Linda Vida

I moved here from Florida a year and a half ago.

Understandable it hot as Hades here

OptimisticAtom

Understandable it hot as Hades here

Yes it is!

So my shredder is not a mini one and weighs probably over 100lbs. It has a 2hp, 1 phase motor with a big gear reducer. Definitely can't ship it!

Nargrax

So my shredder is not a mini one and weighs probably over 100lbs. It has a 2hp, 1 phase motor with a big gear reducer. Definitely can't ship it!

I can pick it up. How much are you looking to get?

I'm not sure. What's your budget?

11:30 PM

The filastruder kit cost about 575 originally.