Testing procedures

When you are testing collected or recycled plastic, it is important to adopt Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These are essential for ensuring consistency, efficiency, and safety in plastic recycling and recovery operations.

Why use Standard Operating Procedures?

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are like a cake recipe—they provide clear, step-by-step instructions to ensure consistent results every time. Just as a recipe outlines ingredients, measurements, mixing, baking time, and temperature, a SOP details sorting methods, processing temperatures, machine settings, safety measures, and quality checks. Without a recipe, cakes can turn out too dry, undercooked, or inconsistent—just as a lack of SOPs can lead to product defects, safety hazards, and inefficiencies in recycling operations.

There are many benefits of developing and using SOPs in your operations:

1. Ensuring consistency and quality
   • Without clear procedures, variations in sorting, processing, and production can lead to inconsistent products and rejected materials.
   • SOPs standardise processes, ensuring all team members follow the same steps for sorting, cleaning, shredding, extruding, moulding, and finishing.
2. Reducing waste and improving efficiency
   • Clear protocols help reduce errors, minimise material loss, and optimise energy and labour use.
   • For example, proper sorting SOPs prevent cross-contamination, ensuring that high-value plastics remain recyclable.
3. Improving worker safety
   • Working with plastic processing machines, heat, and sharp tools presents safety risks.
   • SOPs outline the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency procedures, and proper handling of machinery, chemicals, and waste materials.
4. Supporting training and knowledge transfer
   • In many recycling initiatives, workers come from diverse backgrounds and may not have prior experience in plastic processing.
   • SOPs provide a clear training guide, making it easier to onboard new staff and maintain operational standards.
5. Ensuring compliance with regulations
   • Many countries have strict waste management, environmental, and workplace safety laws.
   • SOPs help ensure that all activities align with legal requirements, reducing the risk of fines or shutdowns.
6. Increasing productivity and scalability
   • When every step of the process is clearly documented, operations run faster and more smoothly.
   • SOPs allow the organisation to scale up more easily, as new facilities or locations can follow the same proven methods.
7. Enhancing traceability and reporting
   • Many recycling projects require detailed data collection for funding, plastic credit schemes, or impact reporting.
   • SOPs standardise data collection on material intake, processing, and sales, making reporting easier and more reliable.
8. Supporting accountability and troubleshooting
   • When something goes wrong—whether it’s a rejected product, machine failure, or workplace injury—SOPs help identify the cause and corrective action.
   • Defined roles and responsibilities ensure that everyone knows their duties, reducing confusion and miscommunication.