ASTM D5491-03

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 intended for use by the following:  
4.2.1 Persons/organizations who collect or separate film, or both, as feedstock for recycling.  
4.2.2 Persons/organizations who reprocess film into a raw material for 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.
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 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 may 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 brackets are for information only.
Note 1—There are no equivalent ISO standards.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2003
• ICS: 83.140.10 - Films and sheets
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.15 - Thermoplastic Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5491-98 - Standard Classification for Recycled Post-Consumer Polyethylene Film Sources for Molding and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM D5491-08 - 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: D 5491 – 03
Standard Classification for
Recycled Post-Consumer Polyethylene Film Sources for
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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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* D 5033 Guide for Development of ASTM Standards Relat-
ing to Recycling and Use of Recycled Plastics
1.1 This document provides for the classification of post-
consumer polyethylene (PE) film derived from specific
3. Terminology
sources. It also identifies characteristics that the user and
3.1 Definitions—the definitions used in this classification
supplier can agree upon in determining the acceptability of the
are in accordance with Terminology D 883 and Guide D 5033.
film for recycling into molding and extrusion materials. It is
3.2 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
neither the intent nor the purpose of this classification to
3.2.1 bubble packaging film, n—clear or tinted LDPE or
specify the suitability of the recycled material for specific
LLDPEfilmwithlittleornoprint,usedtocushionortoprotect
applications.
surfaces, or both, and which may contain a barrier resin or tie
1.2 This classification provides that the source of the mate-
layers, or both.
rial be listed as an aid in identification. The separation by
3.2.2 commercial/industrial liners/bag, n—clear LDPE,
source also improves the usefulness of the material. Sources
LLDPE, or MDPE film with light or no print, used for the
are post-consumer PE films from shrink wrap, dry cleaning
shipment of industrial parts, mattresses or textile products, dry
film, merchandise bags, grocery sacks, stretch wrap, recycle
nonputrescible foods, nonhazardous chemicals, etc.
bags, redemption bags, bubble packaging film, and
3.2.3 commercial overwrap, n—clear LDPE, LLDPE, or
commercial/industrial liners/bags and overwrap. Other post-
MDPE film with light or no print, used to cover finished
consumer PE films may be added to this classification when
products such as carpeting, furniture, yarn, and other interme-
such material streams are defined.
diateorretailitemsduringshipmenttothedistributionoutletor
1.3 It is not the function of this classification to provide data
final consumer.
for specific product design or process-performance purposes.
3.2.4 dry-cleaning film, n—clear or pigmented film made
1.4 The supplier shall provide a written certification with
from LDPE, LLDPE, or their blends, with light or no print,
each shipment stating that the material is derived from post-
used as the outer protective wrap by dry-cleaning establish-
consumer PE film sources described within this classification.
ments.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.2.5 grocery sacks, n—pigmented or unpigmented blends
standard.Thevaluesgiveninbracketsareforinformationonly.
of polyethylene with or without print, used to carry groceries
NOTE 1—There are no equivalent ISO standards.
from a food market.
3.2.6 merchandise bags, n—pigmented LDPE, LLDPE,
2. Referenced Documents
MDPE, HDPE, or a combination of these resin types, with
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
print, used to carry dry goods from a retailer.
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
3.2.7 nominal density, n—the density of the unpigmented
D 1600 Terminology of Abbreviated Terms Relating to
polyethylene resin, which may differ from the apparent density
Plastics
of the material due to the addition of fillers or pigments to the
resin.
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3.2.8 recycle bags, n—blue tinted LLDPE or LDPE film
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic with light or no print, used to transport items to a recycling
Materials.
facility.
Current edition approved November 1, 2003. Published January 2004. Originally
3.2.9 redemption bags, n—clear or tinted LLDPE or LDPE
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D 5491 - 98.
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film with little or no print, used to transport beverage bottles
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
and cans to a recycler in a “bottle bill” state where beverage
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
containers require a refundable deposit upon purchase.
the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
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D 5491
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