Mechanical Recycling — Plastic Parts Output
The seven plastic types in the plastic fraction recovered from mechanical e-waste recycling — ABS, polycarbonate, HDPE, PP, PVC, polystyrene, and flame-retardant plastics — with each type's share of the total plastic output, sold to plastic recyclers and moulding companies.
| Plastic Type | Percentage |
|---|---|
| ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) | 35-45% |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | 15-25% |
| HDPE | 10-15% |
| Polypropylene (PP) | 8-12% |
| PVC | 5-10% |
| Polystyrene (PS) | 5-10% |
| Flame-Retardant Plastics (BFR) | 3-7% |
Beyond definitions
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How to read this table
- Percentages are share of the total plastic fraction, not of total e-waste input weight.
- ABS and PC are the highest-value plastic outputs for commercial recycling. PVC and BFR fractions have restricted buyer options and require specialist handling.
- Flame-retardant (BFR) plastics are classified as hazardous — they must go to authorised TSDFs and cannot be sold as standard plastic recyclate under the E-Waste Rules.
About this table
E-waste contains a significant plastic fraction — typically 15–25% of total weight depending on the feedstock mix. After metal separation stages, the remaining plastic stream is separated by polymer type using optical sorters or density-based methods. This table shows the composition of the plastic fraction from typical mixed e-waste processing.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is the dominant plastic at 35–45% of the plastic fraction. ABS is the standard housing material for computers, printers, monitors, and consumer electronics. It is recognisable by its slightly textured, opaque appearance and is commercially sought by plastic recyclers and injection moulders because it processes well and has a ready market for recycled applications including automotive interior parts and consumer products. Polycarbonate (PC) at 15–25% comes from laptop screens, optical discs, and certain housing components — it is higher-value than ABS and is processed for optical and engineering applications by recycled plastics buyers.
HDPE (10–15%) and PP (8–12%) come from structural internal components, cable conduits, and appliance body parts. Both are well-accepted by plastic recyclers. PVC (5–10%) is the most problematic plastic fraction — PVC contains chlorine and when processed (especially at elevated temperatures) can release hydrochloric acid, which attacks equipment and creates harmful emissions. PVC-containing plastic fractions require specialised buyers or must be handled separately from non-PVC streams. Polystyrene (5–10%) comes from foam packaging and certain structural components. Flame-Retardant Plastics (BFR — Brominated Flame Retardants) at 3–7% are particularly problematic — they contain bromine-based compounds added to prevent fire, and these compounds are classified as hazardous under the E-Waste Rules. BFR plastic fractions require disposal to authorised TSDFs and cannot be sold as standard plastic recyclate.
Key insights
- ABS at 35–45% is the largest and most commercially straightforward plastic fraction — it is widely accepted by plastic recyclers and fetches reasonable prices for engineering and consumer product applications.
- BFR (brominated flame-retardant) plastics at 3–7% cannot be sold as recyclate — they are hazardous waste under the E-Waste Rules and must go to authorised TSDFs, adding a disposal cost instead of generating income.
- PVC at 5–10% requires segregation from other plastic fractions — PVC mixed into an ABS stream degrades ABS recyclate quality and can cause equipment corrosion during any reprocessing that involves elevated temperatures.
- Polycarbonate (PC) at 15–25% is the second-highest-value plastic fraction after ABS — its optical-grade applications command a premium from specialised PC recyclers compared to generic mixed plastic prices.
Methodology & sources
Plastic fraction composition percentages are based on typical mixed e-waste mechanical recycling output data. Actual composition varies significantly with feedstock mix — IT equipment produces more ABS and PC than household appliances; refrigerators and air conditioners contribute more HDPE and PP. BFR plastic identification requires X-ray fluorescence (XRF) testing or knowledge of the source equipment type. Verify BFR handling requirements with your specific SPCB and TSDF before accepting e-waste feedstock with high flame-retardant plastic content.
Related data tables
Mechanical Plant — End Products & Buyers
The five output streams sold by a mechanical e-waste recycling plant — ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, precious and rare earth metals, plastic parts, and other recyclables — with the composition, physical form, and typical Indian buyers for each stream.
Mechanical Recycling — Ferrous Metals Output
Two ferrous metal output streams from e-waste mechanical recycling — iron alloys and steel (85–95% of the ferrous mix, sold to foundries and metal traders) and nickel-based alloys (5–15%, sold to nickel alloy manufacturers) — with typical output size and buyers.
Mechanical Recycling — Non-Ferrous Metals Output
The six non-ferrous metal fractions recovered from the eddy-current and density separation stages of a mechanical e-waste recycling line — aluminium, copper, brass, zinc, lead, and tin — with each metal's share of the non-ferrous stream and its output size.