What%26#039;s the best way to melt plastic in an environmentally-safe way? I%26#039;m wondering because one of my friends wants to produce something made of plastic so he wants to melt it but in an effective, quick and easy way and also environmentally safe. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Additional Details

11 months ago

i dont know what he wants to produce, I will ask him. Thanks for the suggestions.

Best Answer

VERY IMPORTANT : DON´T DO IT ! ! ! !

I am not kidding, dioxine which you would get out of PVC (Vinyl) is used as a reference for toxicity to the human body !

It stays in your body for 40 years and is extremely dangerous.

Unless you are precisely able to identify plastics and sort them and have a degree in polymer chemistry don´t do it ! somebody who wants to save your health.

Asker's Rating:

thank you. I%26#039;ll tell him better not to do it. :)

Other Answers (4)

• This question is too vague. Every type of plastic is different and melting it is going to produce some gases. Also, we would need to know what the end product will be. Does the plastic need to be rigid when it cools or soft? Melting plastic is not a good home project because the gases should be collected somehow so that they do not escape or cause you to become ill.
  
  If you are using some relatively safe plastic like Shrinky Dinks then a home oven set at 350-400 degrees will do the trick. Use lots of ventilation and keep a close eye on it while it melts.
• Create a mould and take the item to a plastics factory..pretend its a school project and get your little brother to go.. but a microwave might work.. just trying to help
• Several of my neighbors just burn plastic in their burn barrels. They have even burned up a few plastic items for me. It works good.
• Every time it has some adverse effect