How do I check a plastics plant’s regrind and scrap handling practice?

Start on the floor. Where do runners, purged material and rejected parts go? Look at the bins, the grinder and the storage area. Are different materials and colours kept apart and clearly labelled? Is the grinder clean, or could last week’s colour end up in today’s part?

Then ask about the rules the shop follows for itself. Which jobs allow regrind, and in what mix with new resin? Who decides, and how is the mix measured at the press? Customers often have their own views, especially for sensitive parts. Ask whether the shop has written approvals, and whether anyone has ever complained.

Look at the money too. Is regrind a saving the shop depends on, or a pile of unused material? Is any scrap sold, and is that income recorded? Your accountant can show how it appears in the books. Also ask about the quality checks that catch problems from regrind, such as colour, brittleness or black specks. A technician can help you assess whether the system works. If controls are loose, expect to put time into tightening them after you take over.

Key takeaways

• Follow a rejected part to the grinder and back to the hopper, noting where mix-ups could happen.
• Ask which jobs allow regrind and whether the customer has approved it.
• Check the quality tests that would catch a problem from regrind.