System and method for recycling and recapture of bio-based plastics

Abstract

A method for reclaiming bio-based plastic material is disclosed, including providing a bio-based plastic article, the article including an identifier, determining article content information from or via the identifier, and recycling the article based on article content information. Further, a system for reclaiming bio-based plastic material is disclosed, including an apparatus or device configured to obtain or determine a bio-based material content associated with a plastic article, and an apparatus or device configured to sort the plastic article based upon the bio-based material content of the plastic article. A bio-based plastic article comprising recycled bio-based material is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bio-based plastic container comprising recycled bio-based material, the bio-based plastic container comprising between about 1% and about 50% by weight of recycled bio-based material;
 wherein the bio-based plastic container is comprised of both recycled bio-based polymer and a petrol-based polymer;   wherein the bio-based plastic container includes an identifier; and   wherein the identifier represents or discloses information that distinguishes between content of recycled bio-based polymer and content of petrol-based polymer comprising the bio-based plastic container.   
     
     
         2 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the identifier represents or discloses a bio-based material percentage. 
     
     
         3 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the identifier includes one or more additives, and the one or more additives distinguishing the bio-based plastic container from a petrol-based container. 
     
     
         4 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the identifier comprises a colorant or dye. 
     
     
         5 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 4 , wherein the colorant or dye is included in resin forming the bio-based plastic container. 
     
     
         6 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the identifier is not visible/perceptible to a human eye without equipment. 
     
     
         7 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the identifier represents or discloses a percentage of the bio-based plastic container that is comprised of a bio-based material. 
     
     
         8 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 1 , including a distinguishing or visible mark that designates the plastic container as bio-based. 
     
     
         9 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the identifier comprises a marker. 
     
     
         10 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 9 , wherein the marker includes one of more of the following: UV dye, colorant, chemical trace, organic additive, tint. 
     
     
         11 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 9 , wherein the marker is a compound added to a resin forming the bio-based plastic container. 
     
     
         12 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the identifier includes a tracer. 
     
     
         13 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 12 , wherein the tracer distinguishes resin produced by a manufacturer from similar resins produced by others. 
     
     
         14 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 12 , wherein the tracer is at a level in single parts per billion or less. 
     
     
         15 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 12 , wherein the tracer is added during a melt polymerization phase or a solid state polymerization stage. 
     
     
         16 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 12 , wherein the tracer identifies bio-based containers for recovery within a recycling process. 
     
     
         17 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the recycled bio-based material includes PCR bio-based material. 
     
     
         18 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 17 , wherein the PCR bio-based material is up to 100% of the total weight of the bio-based plastic container in an un-filled condition. 
     
     
         19 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 17 , wherein the PCR bio-based material comprises up to 30% bio-based PCR resin. 
     
     
         20 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 17 , wherein the PCR bio-based material comprises between about 1% and about 20% of the total weight of the bio-based plastic container in an un-filled condition. 
     
     
         21 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 17 , wherein the PCR bio-based material comprises between about 1% and about 20% of the total weight of the bio-based plastic container in an un-filled condition, a virgin material comprises about 80% to about 99% of the total weight of the container, and the virgin material is bio-based. 
     
     
         22 . The bio-based plastic container of  claim 17 , wherein the recycled bio-based material comprises one or more of the following: up to 30% bio-based PCR resin, 100% bio-based PCR resin, and/or a custom blend of PCR bio-based resins. 
     
     
         23 . A system for reclaiming bio-based plastic material, comprising:
 an apparatus or device configured to obtain or determine a bio-based material content associated with a plastic container;   and an apparatus or device configured to sort the plastic container based upon the bio-based material content of the plastic container.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the plastic container includes post-consumer bio-based material.