ASTM D5491-08

Standard Classification for Recycled Post-Consumer Polyethylene Film Sources for Molding and Extrusion Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This classification identifies sources of PE film. The separation by sources also improves the usefulness of the material. Sources are post-consumer PE films from shrink wrap, dry cleaning film, merchandise bags, grocery sacks, stretch wrap, recycle bags, redemption bags, bubble packaging film, commercial/industrial liners/bags, and commercial overwrap.  
This classification is useful in characterizing post-consumer film to be used as a feedstock for recycling.
It is neither the intent nor the purpose of this classification to specify the suitability of the recycled material for specific applications.
SCOPE
1.1 This document provides for the classification of post-consumer polyethylene (PE) film derived from specific sources. It also identifies characteristics useful in determining the acceptability of the film for recycling into molding and extrusion materials. It is neither the intent nor the purpose of this classification to specify the suitability of the recycled material for specific applications.  
1.2 This classification provides that the source of the material be listed as an aid in identification. The separation by source also improves the usefulness of the material. Sources are post-consumer PE films from shrink wrap, dry cleaning film, merchandise bags, grocery sacks, stretch wrap, recycle bags, redemption bags, bubble packaging film, and commercial/industrial liners/bags and overwrap. Other post-consumer PE films shall be added to this classification when such material streams are defined.  
1.3 It is not the function of this classification to provide data for specific product design or process-performance purposes.  
1.4 The supplier shall provide a written certification with each shipment stating that the material is derived from post-consumer PE film sources described within this classification.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
Note 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2008
• ICS: 83.140.10 - Films and sheets
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.15 - Thermoplastic Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5491-03 - Standard Classification for Recycled Post-Consumer Polyethylene Film Sources for Molding and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008

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: D5491 −08
StandardClassification for
Recycled Post-Consumer Polyethylene Film Sources for
1
Molding and Extrusion Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5491; 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* D1600 Terminology forAbbreviatedTerms Relating to Plas-
tics
1.1 This document provides for the classification of post-
D7209 Guide for Waste Reduction, Resource Recovery, and
consumer polyethylene (PE) film derived from specific
Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products
sources. It also identifies characteristics useful in determining
the acceptability of the film for recycling into molding and
3. Terminology
extrusion materials. It is neither the intent nor the purpose of
this classification to specify the suitability of the recycled 3.1 Definitions—the definitions used in this classification
material for specific applications.
are in accordance with Terminology D883 and Guide D7209.
1.2 This classification provides that the source of the mate- 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
rial be listed as an aid in identification. The separation by
3.2.1 bubble packaging film, n—clear or tinted LDPE or
source also improves the usefulness of the material. Sources LLDPEfilmwithlittleornoprint,usedtocushionortoprotect
are post-consumer PE films from shrink wrap, dry cleaning
surfaces, or both.
film, merchandise bags, grocery sacks, stretch wrap, recycle
3.2.2 commercial/industrial liners/bag, n— clear LDPE,
bags, redemption bags, bubble packaging film, and
LLDPE, or MDPE film with light or no print, used for the
commercial/industrial liners/bags and overwrap. Other post-
shipment of industrial parts, mattresses or textile products, dry
consumer PE films shall be added to this classification when
nonputrescible foods, nonhazardous chemicals, etc.
such material streams are defined.
3.2.3 commercial overwrap, n—clear LDPE, LLDPE, or
1.3 It is not the function of this classification to provide data
MDPE film with light or no print, used to cover finished
for specific product design or process-performance purposes.
products such as carpeting, furniture, yarn, and other interme-
diateorretailitemsduringshipmenttothedistributionoutletor
1.4 The supplier shall provide a written certification with
final consumer.
each shipment stating that the material is derived from post-
consumer PE film sources described within this classification.
3.2.4 dry-cleaning film, n—clear or pigmented film made
from LDPE, LLDPE, or their blends, with light or no print,
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
used as the outer protective wrap by dry-cleaning establish-
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
ments.
only.
3.2.5 grocery sacks, n—pigmented or unpigmented blends
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
of polyethylene with or without print, used to carry groceries
from a food market.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.6 merchandise bags, n—pigmented LDPE, LLDPE,
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
MDPE, HDPE, or a combination of these resin types, with
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
print, used to carry dry goods from a retailer.
3.2.7 nominal density, n—the density of the unpigmented
polyethylene resin. The nominal density differs from the
1
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
apparent density of the material due to the addition of fillers or
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic
pigments to the resin.
Materials.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2008. Published December 2008. Originally
3.2.8 recycle bags, n—blue tinted LLDPE or LDPE film
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D5491 - 03. DOI:
with light or no print, used to transport items to a recycling
10.1520/D5491-08.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
facility.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3.2.9 redemption bags, n—clear or tinted LLDPE or LDPE
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. film with little or no print, used to transport beverage bottles
*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
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D5491 − 08
and cans to a recycler in a “bottle bill” state where beverage 5.1.9 Commercial/Industrial Liners/Bags—Clear LDPE,
containers require a refundable deposit upon
...

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:D 5491–03 Designation: D 5491 – 08
Standard Classification for
Recycled Post-Consumer Polyethylene Film Sources for
1
Molding and Extrusion Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5491; 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 This document provides for the classification of post-consumer polyethylene (PE) film derived from specific sources. It also
identifies characteristics that the user and supplier can agree upon useful in determining the acceptability of the film for recycling
into molding and extrusion materials. It is neither the intent nor the purpose of this classification to specify the suitability of the
recycled material for specific applications.
1.2 This classification provides that the source of the material be listed as an aid in identification. The separation by source also
improves the usefulness of the material. Sources are post-consumer PE films from shrink wrap, dry cleaning film, merchandise
bags,grocerysacks,stretchwrap,recyclebags,redemptionbags,bubblepackagingfilm,andcommercial/industrialliners/bagsand
overwrap. Other post-consumer PE films mayshall be added to this classification when such material streams are defined.
1.3 It is not the function of this classification to provide data for specific product design or process-performance purposes.
1.4 The supplier shall provide a written certification with each shipment stating that the material is derived from post-consumer
PE film sources described within this classification.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in bracketsparentheses are for information
only.
NOTE1—There are no equivalent ISO standards. 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D 1600 Terminology offor Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
D5033Guide for Development ofASTM Standards Relating to Recycling and Use of Recycled Plastics 7209 Guide for Waste
Reduction, Resource Recovery, and Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—the definitions used in this classification are in accordance with Terminology D 883 and Guide D5033and
Guide D 7209.
3.2 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 bubble packaging film, n—clear or tinted LDPE or LLDPE film with little or no print, used to cushion or to protect
surfaces, or both, and which may contain a barrier resin or tie layers, or both. —clear or tinted LDPE or LLDPE film with little
or no print, used to cushion or to protect surfaces, or both.
3.2.2 commercial/industrial liners/bag, n— clear LDPE, LLDPE, or MDPE film with light or no print, used for the shipment
of industrial parts, mattresses or textile products, dry nonputrescible foods, nonhazardous chemicals, etc.
3.2.3 commercial overwrap, n—clear LDPE, LLDPE, or MDPE film with light or no print, used to cover finished products such
as carpeting, furniture, yarn, and other intermediate or retail items during shipment to the distribution outlet or final consumer.
3.2.4 dry-cleaning film, n—clear or pigmented film made from LDPE, LLDPE, or their blends, with light or no print, used as
the outer protective wrap by dry-cleaning establishments.
3.2.5 grocery sacks, n—pigmented or unpigmented blends of polyethylene with or without print, used to carry groceries from
a food market.
1
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic Materials
.
Current edition approved NovemberDec. 1, 2003.2008. Published January 2004.December 2008. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 19982003
as D5491-98.D 5491 - 03.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail]ards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*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.
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D 5491 – 08
3.2.6 merchandise bags, n—pigmented LDPE, LLDPE, MDPE, HDPE, or a combinati
...