HMW Thermoform Plastic Recycling

High Molecular Weight (HMW) High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a staple material in the world of industrial packaging, transportation, and manufacturing. Known for its toughness, rigidity, and impact resistance, HMW HDPE is commonly processed through thermoforming to create reusable, heavy-duty parts like dunnage trays, pallets, containers, and protective transport packaging.

At Seraphim Plastics, we specialize in buying and recycling post-industrial HMW thermoformed plastics, helping companies reduce waste, monetize scrap, and contribute to a more circular supply chain. If your business generates HMW thermoform waste—whether from automotive packaging, OEM manufacturing, or logistics operations—we want to work with you.

This page outlines the specific HMW thermoform plastic products we accept, how to prepare them for pickup, and how our recycling process delivers environmental and financial value to your operation.

What Is HMW Thermoformed Plastic?

HMW HDPE is a subtype of high-density polyethylene that boasts enhanced impact resistance, stiffness, and stress crack resistance. It is especially favored in thermoforming applications, where flat sheets of plastic are heated and molded into durable, reusable items.

Key Characteristics:

  • Excellent impact strength
  • Resists warping and cracking under load
  • Ideal for repeated use and reuse
  • Lightweight and chemically resistant
  • Easily recycled into regrind or pellets

Thermoforming with HMW HDPE allows manufacturers to produce large, rigid parts with structural integrity while keeping production efficient and cost-effective.

Thermoformed HMW Plastics We Accept

At Seraphim Plastics, we buy and recycle several categories of HMW HDPE thermoformed scrap, all generated in post-industrial settings. Below are the primary materials we accept from thermoforming, logistics, and manufacturing operations.

1. Dunnage Trays

Dunnage trays are custom-molded transport trays used to secure and organize automotive parts, electronics, and other industrial products during shipping.

Applications:

  • Automotive supply chains
  • Aerospace component packaging
  • Warehouse distribution systems
  • Medical equipment transport

We accept:

  • Rigid HMW HDPE thermoformed trays
  • Scrap or obsolete tray inventory
  • Trays from assembly lines or supplier packaging

Material Requirements:

  • Must be 100% HMW HDPE
  • Free from metal inserts, foam liners, or adhesives
  • Can be broken, damaged, or intact
  • Should be stacked, boxed, or palletized for pickup

These trays are ideal candidates for shredding and converting into clean HMW regrind, ready to be used in new thermoformed products.

2. Thermoformed HMW Parts

We also accept general thermoformed parts made from HMW HDPE. These are often found in:

  • Bulk containers
  • Agricultural bins
  • Material handling trays
  • Truck bed liners
  • Structural panels

Examples of accepted items:

  • Rejected or off-spec parts
  • Broken or surplus components
  • End-of-life reusable containers
  • Obsolete product lines

As long as the material is clean, rigid, and made of HMW HDPE, we can accept it. Mixed resin components or items with contamination may not qualify.

3. Purge (Lumps and Chunks)

Thermoforming operations occasionally purge HMW HDPE from extruders and sheet-forming equipment during cleanouts or color changes. This material, known as purge, is valuable for recycling.

We accept:

  • HMW HDPE purge slabs or chunks
  • Off-spec sheet purges from thermoforming lines
  • Cold purge with no contamination

Requirements:

  • Must be 100% HMW HDPE (no mixed resins)
  • Should be free of metal, moisture, or residue
  • Ideally boxed, bagged, or palletized

Even off-color or unevenly shaped purge is acceptable—as long as the resin integrity is intact. This material is often reground and used in non-critical or secondary applications.

4. HMW Regrind

If your facility grinds its own thermoform scrap, we’re happy to buy your clean HMW regrind. This is often the most sought-after feedstock in recycling markets.

Accepted HMW Regrind Must Be:

  • Produced from HMW thermoformed HDPE
  • Clean, uniform in size (typically 3/8” or smaller)
  • Sorted by color (natural, white, black, etc.)
  • Free of paper, labels, dust, or mixed resins

Packaging Guidelines:

  • Super sacks or gaylords preferred
  • Labeled by type, source, and color if known
  • Moisture-free and contamination-free

We work with thermoforming plants and packaging manufacturers who produce regrind as a byproduct of their daily operations. Rather than letting it accumulate or disposing of it, we help you turn it into revenue.

5. HMW Pellets

We also purchase HMW HDPE pellets, either virgin or recycled, from resin manufacturers, compounders, and processors with surplus or off-spec batches.

We accept:

  • Virgin HMW HDPE pellets (natural or color)
  • Recycled HMW pellets made from thermoformed materials
  • Off-color, off-spec, or overstock pellets

Pellet Packaging Requirements:

  • Packaged in bags, gaylords, or super sacks
  • Clean and labeled by type and melt flow if possible
  • Free from moisture or cross-contamination

We help you reclaim value from unused or downgraded resin batches while reducing waste and warehouse clutter.

6. Virgin Off-Spec HMW

Sometimes manufacturers produce resin that’s outside of spec but still entirely usable. We accept virgin off-spec HMW HDPE in pellet or sheet form.

Examples Include:

  • Pellets with incorrect color or MFI
  • Slightly warped or bubbled sheet stock
  • Discontinued material formulations
  • Cosmetic quality control issues

We accept:

  • Bulk loads of virgin off-spec resin
  • Thermoform sheet rolls or cut panels
  • Clean material with traceable origin

This resin can be used in a wide variety of non-aesthetic applications and helps processors reduce their costs by using recycled blends.

Preparing HMW Thermoform Scrap for Pickup

To maximize value and ensure smooth logistics, materials must meet the following requirements:

✅ Clean and Dry

Remove any contaminants such as dirt, adhesives, metal hardware, and foreign materials. Moisture can reduce the value of regrind and pellets.

✅ Sorted by Resin Type

HMW HDPE should be separated from other plastics such as LDPE, PP, ABS, or PETG. Mixed resin bales or boxes are not accepted.

✅ Properly Packaged

  • Trays and parts: stacked or boxed in gaylords
  • Purge: boxed or palletized
  • Regrind/pellets: in super sacks or labeled boxes

✅ Clearly Labeled

Label containers with:

  • Resin type (HMW HDPE)
  • Color (natural, black, etc.)
  • Form (tray, part, regrind, pellet, etc.)
  • Estimated weight or volume (if known)

Who We Work With

Seraphim Plastics serves commercial and industrial partners that generate high volumes of HMW thermoform plastic scrap.

Our typical partners include:

  • Thermoforming manufacturers
  • Automotive parts suppliers
  • Industrial packaging companies
  • Agricultural equipment makers
  • Custom dunnage manufacturers
  • Plastic recyclers and processors

We also work with distribution centers and logistics firms that use HMW HDPE containers and trays for transport and warehousing.

Why Choose Seraphim Plastics?

✅ Commercial-Only Focus

We don’t handle consumer recyclables. Our expertise lies in post-industrial plastic generated by manufacturers and industrial facilities. This means better pricing, faster pickups, and cleaner loads.

✅ Competitive Payouts

We pay for your HMW thermoform scrap—whether it’s purge, trays, regrind, or pellets. Instead of spending on landfill disposal, you earn from your scrap stream.

✅ Consistent, Transparent Service

From quote to pickup and payment, we make it easy to do business. Our team is responsive, fair, and committed to long-term partnerships.

✅ Multi-State Coverage

We operate across:

We can arrange pickups and coordinate freight for qualifying load volumes.

How the Recycling Process Works

Step 1: Request a Quote
 Use our online form to tell us what you have—type, quantity, condition, and location.

Step 2: Material Review and Offer
 We review your details and provide a competitive quote. For ongoing loads, we can establish routine pickups.

Step 3: Pickup and Transport
 We arrange trucking (when applicable), or you can drop off at our facility. Materials must be properly packaged and sorted.

Step 4: Payment
 After we verify and weigh your shipment, we process payment quickly. Transparent weights and grades ensure you get paid fairly.

Recycling HMW HDPE Supports Sustainability

When you recycle with Seraphim Plastics, you’re helping:

  • Reduce landfill waste
  • Lower greenhouse gas emissions
  • Conserve resources and energy
  • Support U.S.-based manufacturing with recycled feedstock

Many of our partners promote their recycling partnerships in their ESG reports, supplier scorecards, and zero-waste-to-landfill initiatives.

Let’s Turn Your Scrap into Revenue

If your company is sitting on stacks of dunnage trays, broken parts, purge, or off-spec resin, it’s time to turn that material into value. Seraphim Plastics is your dedicated partner for:

  • HMW thermoformed trays
  • Thermoformed parts and containers
  • Purge and manufacturing scrap
  • Clean HMW regrind or pellets
  • Virgin off-spec sheet or resin

Get a Fast, Free Quote Today

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Seraphim Plastics – Your Trusted Partner for Post-Industrial Plastic Recycling.

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