discussion What do you do with waste sprue?

[wasdale32]

Hi

don't know if this has been asked before but what do people do with waste sprue? During Covid lockdown I've accumulated quite a lot.

Do you chuck it in the recycling bin (UK) or the non recyclables?

I know it can be used for "liquid sprue" filler but I don't need 3 gallons of the stuff and I definitely don't need 30 miles of stretched sprue for antennae!

Mark

 

[Tim Marlow]

I’m afraid I bin it as general waste. Not much recycling here in Somerset....due to change soon I think.

 

[adt70hk]

Recycle. Plus for AFVs chop small bits up, glue onto engine cover and cover with PVA'd tissue paper and you have a tarpaulin covering miscellaneous 'stowage'.

ATB

Andrew

 

[stona]

Mine goes in the recycling (Birmingham).

 

[Guest]

I tend to save sprues for a while, in order to have spare bits of plastic for scratchbuilding, making supports, stretching sprue, etc. When the area under my desk that I put them in gets too full (once every couple of years ) I put most of them in the bin for non-recyclable trash — here in the Netherlands, we’ve got separate plastics recycling, but that’s only meant for the kinds of clear plastics you find in packaging materials, not coloured hard plastics like model kit sprues. (Technically, it’s only meant for packaging material, because manufacturers pay to have it recycled. This means you’re not supposed to put anything other than packaging into it, as that wasn’t paid for. I find that an incentive to put in materials that are the correct type but whose recycling wasn’t paid for by anyone.)

 

[Fernando N]

Hi Mark, I find it a good thing to keep the longer rods devoid of stubs for any scratch building or a stick to tack small to paint bits on, its free anyway and if you can use it why toss it.

Like Jakko mentioned, here in The Netherlands we have a recycling system going on and even technically not on the list, my county waste service never ticketed me or left my bin full…
Polystyrene of most model kits is also used in bags and various other packaging forms anyway:nerd:

 

[Mini Me]

One of the great things about 1/87 scale models is there is virtually no sprue. If I kept all the sprue material from the last 40 or so years you could probably put it all in a ziploc sandwich bag!:smiling2:
Rick H.

 

[outrunner]

I am the same as Fernando in that I have a load of longish straight bits to put stuff on for painting, the rest goes in the bin.


Andy.

 

[Lee W]

I'm with Tim... they're a bit lost here Somerset... give them half a chance they'd probably try and make a scrumpy with the left over bits! :tears-of-joy::tongue-out3:

Lee

 

[Guest]

I put all mine in the recycling bin.
Pete.

 

[stillp]

I put all mine in the recycling bin.
Pete.

Same here.
Pete

 

[Peej]

I save alot of mine. Got a tub full for stirring paint. The rest go in the recycle bin.

 

[wasdale32]

Checked the local council (Hampshire) web site - looks like they won't take it as recycling as it is in the same category as (expanded) polystyrene, food trays and "hard plastic lids".

The big issue is if we "contaminate" our recycling the council get uppity about it!

 

[Sam White]

I usually separate small plastic hobby waste from normal household recycling because a lot of local councils won’t process mixed modelling plastics properly.

It’s surprising how much waste builds up from hobbies over time. I started looking more into proper recycling and disposal recently and came across Recycle Pro UK while clearing out old electronics and other unwanted bits at home.

 

[scottie3158]

Mine goes in the recycling. I have asked this question at various modelling shows as to the viability of the manufactures having a return address for the sprues this could be ground up and re used in the moulding process. But the general feeling is, it's not viable.

 

[BattleshipBob]

Most go to recycle, long lengths i cut up into small lengths. I glue these inside superstructure and funnels etc. This allows me to attach crocodile clips to the sprue and spray without touching the plastic.

 

[PaulTRose]

Filed under 'bin'

Rarely use it to make antennas by stretching it but I have something better these days

 

[Geoffers]

I don’t have much use for it so it goes into the recycling bin.

We have a paper/cardboard recycling bag too so the kit boxes end up in there. I save some of the artwork though as when I have enough I’m going to make a collage to hang on the wall in the den .

Geoff.

 

[LeytonO]

Recycle bin, no idea if they do anything with it though.

 

[pjgtech]

I now keep a small stash of old/spare sprues, for scratch building, stretching for antennae, etc, but its only in a small container, about 6" x 2" x 10", but thats plenty enough for me. Gives me plenty to play with if I need it.....The rest goes in the recycling bin.
Cheers