Internal regrind retains its material history. It is not automatically PreCR, and returning it to production must not result in the same recycled material being counted twice.
Grinding does not automatically change material origin
If a product or process scrap is ground and returned to the same process, its material history does not start again. Establish what it was made from and its status before grinding.
Typical internal streams
- start-up scrap;
- quality rejects;
- offcuts and edge trim;
- sprues;
- material from changeovers;
- products returned to the process before leaving the site.
Why does this matter for recycled content?
If regrind comes from material that already contains a certain recycled share, reusing it must not lead to the same material being counted again. Otherwise, the declared percentage would be artificially inflated.
Regrind and PreCR
Not all production waste automatically qualifies as pre-consumer recycled material. Classification depends on the definitions used in the relevant scheme or requirement and on the actual material history.
Which data should be recorded?
Record the source of the regrind, its quantity, base material, point of generation, storage arrangements and subsequent use. Significant streams should also be visible in the volume reconciliation.
Contamination risk
Internal regrind may combine different colours, additives or batches. When it is reused, the organisation should check its compliance with the recipe and quality requirements.
Key takeaway
The status of regrind follows its material history, not the grinding operation alone. Material returned to a process must be accounted for in a way that preserves traceability and avoids overstating recycled content.