ASTM D6288-15

Standard Practice for Separation and Washing of Recycled Plastics Prior to Testing

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Dirt, paper and mixtures of polymeric materials complicate the interpretation of data from procedures used to identify the contaminants in recycled plastics.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes a procedure for separating recycled plastics based on their color and a procedure for washing dirty, ground plastic, which results in separation of light materials (density 3). This practice is not intended to represent generic washing procedures used in the plastics recycling industry. The described procedures are solely for preparation of plastic samples for use in other analytical tests. The procedure includes a room temperature wash step to facilitate separation of paper (for example, labels) followed by washing at an elevated temperature.
Note 1: Although not presented as a quantitative method, the procedure presented in this practice may be used to provide quantitative results. The user assumes the responsibility to verify the reproducibility of quantitative results.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 2: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2015
• ICS: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.95 - Recycled Plastics

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6288-09 - Standard Practice for Separation and Washing of Recycled Plastics Prior to Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D6288 − 15
Standard Practice for
Separation and Washing of Recycled Plastics Prior to
1
Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6288; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* Terephthalate) (PET) Flake
D7209 Guide for Waste Reduction, Resource Recovery, and
1.1 This practice describes a procedure for separating re-
Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products (With-
cycled plastics based on their color and a procedure for
3
drawn 2015)
washing dirty, ground plastic, which results in separation of
3 IEEE/ASTM SI-10 Standard for Use of the International
light materials (density <1.00 g/cm ). This practice is not
System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
intended to represent generic washing procedures used in the
plasticsrecyclingindustry.Thedescribedproceduresaresolely
3. Terminology
for preparation of plastic samples for use in other analytical
3.1 The terminology used in this practice is in accordance
tests. The procedure includes a room temperature wash step to
withTerminologyD1600andGuideD7209.Unitsandsymbols
facilitate separation of paper (for example, labels) followed by
are in accordance with Standard IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
washing at an elevated temperature.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
NOTE 1—Although not presented as a quantitative method, the proce-
3.2.1 light material—materials with densities less than 1.00
dure presented in this practice may be used to provide quantitative results.
3
g/cm .
The user assumes the responsibility to verify the reproducibility of
quantitative results.
4. Summary
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
4.1 Different colored plastic materials are readily distin-
standard.
guished by visual inspection of a sample.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2 Labels, glue residues and other plastics may absorb the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
dyes used in some procedures for identifying contaminants or
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
these other contaminants may exhibit interfering fluorescence.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Consequently, a standard procedure is provided for washing
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the plastic prior to examination by these tests.
NOTE 2—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
4.3 This practice utilizes a room temperature wash step to
2. Referenced Documents facilitate separation of paper followed by washing at an
2 elevated temperature to permit separation of plastics and other
2.1 ASTM Standards:
contaminants based on densities. The room temperature wash
D1600 Terminology forAbbreviatedTerms Relating to Plas-
step effectively removes labels without activating some adhe-
tics
sives.
D5814 Practice for Determination of Contamination in Re-
cycled Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) Flakes and
NOTE 3—The dye and fluorescence tests that may require plastic
washed by this procedure are specifically designed to detect poly(vinyl
Chips Using a Plaque Test
chloride) (PVC) contamination.
D5991 Practice for Separation and Identification of Poly(Vi-
nyl Chloride) (PVC) Contamination in Poly(Ethylene 4.4 Washed recycled plastic materials are then used for tests
such as those described in Practices D5814 or D5991.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and
5. Significance and Use
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.95 on Recycled Plastics.
5.1 Dirt, paper and mixtures of polymeric materials com-
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2015. Published October 2015. Originally
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D6288 - 09. DOI:
plicate the interpretation of data from procedures used to
10.1520/D6288-15.
identify the contaminants in recycled plastics.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6288 − 15
6. Apparatus 8.2.3 Insert the overhead stirrer so that the impeller is 2.54
cm (1 in.) above the bottom of the beaker.
6.1 Bright Al
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6288 − 09 D6288 − 15
Standard Practice for
Separation and Washing of Recycled Plastics Prior to
1
Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6288; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 TheThis practice describes a procedure for separating recycled plastics based on their color (for example, green versus
colorless) and a procedure for washing dirty, ground plastic, which results in separation of light materials (density < 1.00 <1.00
3
g/cm ). This practice is not intended to represent generic washing procedures used in the plastics recycling industry. The described
procedures are solely for preparation of plastic samples for use in other analytical tests. The procedure includes a room temperature
wash step to facilitate separation of paper (for example, labels) followed by washing at an elevated temperature.
NOTE 1—Although not presented as a quantitative method, the procedure presented in this practice may be used to provide quantitative results. The
user assumes the responsibility to verify the reproducibility of quantitative results.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
NOTE 2—There is no known ISO equivalent to this practice.standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
D5814 Practice for Determination of Contamination in Recycled Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) Flakes and Chips Using
a Plaque Test
D5991 Practice for Separation and Identification of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Contamination in Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate)
(PET) Flake
D7209 Guide for Waste Reduction, Resource Recovery, and Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products (Withdrawn
3
2015)
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
3. Terminology
3.1 The terminology used in this practice is in accordance with Terminology D1600 and Guide D7209. Units and symbols are
in accordance with Standard IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 light material—paper, polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and other materials with densities less than 1.00
3
g/cm .
4. Summary
4.1 Different colored (for example, green versus colorless) plastic materials are readily distinguished by visual inspection of a
sample.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.95 on Recycled Plastics.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009Oct. 1, 2015. Published September 2009October 2015. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20032009
as D6288 - 98D6288 - 09.(2003). DOI: 10.1520/D6288-09.10.1520/D6288-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6288 − 15
4.2 Labels, glue residues and other plastics may absorb the dyes used in some procedures for identifying contaminants or these
other contaminants may exhibit interfering fluorescence. Consequently, a standard procedure is provided for washing the plastic
prior to examination by these tests.
4.3 This practice utilizes a room temperature wash step to facilitate separation of paper (for example, labels) followed by
washing at an elevated temperature to permit separation of plastics and other contaminants based on densities. The room
temperature wash step effectively removes labels without activating some adhesives.
NOTE 3—The dye and fluorescence tests that may require plastic
...