Removal & Recycling

Shrink Wrap Removal — Key Principles

The method of removing shrink wrap will vary depending on the application. Follow these key principles to keep the material under control, avoid unnecessary damage and maximise the opportunity for recycling.

Use the right cutting tool Select a cutting tool appropriate to the application. Where shrink wrap covers finished or vulnerable surfaces, use a purpose-made safety cutter to reduce the risk of damage. On scaffolding and similar applications, a standard knife may be used where appropriate.

Plan for safe handling Consider the size, weight and location of the sheeting before starting. Large or awkward sections may require two or more people to control and handle them safely during removal.

Check conditions first Consider weather conditions before starting removal, particularly when working outdoors. Wind can make released sections of sheeting difficult to control. Postpone removal if conditions make the work unsafe.

Work in sections Cut and remove the shrink wrap in manageable sections. Avoid releasing large areas of film at once. Fold and secure each section as you work to keep the material under control.

Fold tightly as you go Fold removed sections as tightly as practical to minimise volume and make the material easier to handle. Keeping the film compact and clean also makes collection and recycling easier.

Keep film separate Keep removed shrink wrap separate from timber, rubble, tape and general waste. Clean, segregated LDPE film is much easier to recycle. Remove excessive tape, strapping and other contamination wherever practical.

Scaffold Enclosure Removal

Scaffold shrink wrap is typically heat-welded at horizontal joins across multiple lifts. Removal should be carried out from inside the scaffold, working from the lowest point upwards in manageable sections.

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1. 1
   Start from inside the scaffold at the lowest point. Always work from inside the scaffold, beginning at the lowest section of sheeting. This gives controlled access to the film and allows sections to be removed safely rather than falling externally.
2. 2
   Cut along the horizontal welded join. Cut along the horizontal weld where the sheeting is wrapped around the scaffold handrail or sheeting rail and heat-welded back onto itself. Cutting just below the tube is usually easiest, as there is a small gap behind the film.
3. 3
   Make two vertical cuts upwards, 3–4m apart. From the lower horizontal weld, make two vertical cuts upwards approximately 3–4m apart, continuing towards the next horizontal weld.
4. 4
   Release the section at the upper weld. Once both vertical cuts reach the next horizontal weld, cut horizontally between them to release the section. Keep control of the sheeting as it is released.
5. 5
   Fold and secure the released section. Gather the released section and fold it as tightly as practical for handling and recycling. Repeat across the elevation, working upwards until all sheeting has been removed.

Industrial, Modular & Marine Removal

Industrial equipment, modular buildings and marine vessels are typically wrapped using one of several base fixing methods. Identify how the film has been secured before beginning removal, then work upwards in manageable sections.

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1. 1
   Identify the base fixing method and release accordingly. Shrink wrap is commonly secured at the base using one of the following methods. Before proceeding, check that the film has been fully released around the base.

   Fully encapsulated with base sheetThe top cover is heat-welded directly to a base sheet, forming a sealed six-sided package. Cut around the perimeter where the side film meets the base sheet to release the cover. Take particular care where finished or vulnerable surfaces are close to the cutting line.

   Timber trapping battensThe film is pulled down and trapped beneath timber battens screwed to the pallet or base frame. Unscrew and remove the battens first to release the film at the base.

   Perimeter band (strapping or cargo lashing)A heavy-duty strap is tensioned around the base and the film heat-welded to it as an anchor point. Cut the film just above the band to release the cover, keeping the strapping separate from the LDPE film for recycling.
2. 2
   Make vertical cuts upwards. Make vertical cuts up the sides of the object to divide the sheeting into manageable sections. The size of each section should suit the dimensions of the object and be easy to control during removal.
3. 3
   Release, fold and repeat. Once the vertical cuts reach the top, cut along the upper section to release the film. Keep control of the sheeting as it is released, then fold it tightly for handling and recycling. Repeat until all film has been removed.

How to Recycle Shrink Wrap

Shrink wrap sheeting is manufactured from LDPE (low-density polyethylene). With no eyelets, scrim or reinforcement, the film can be kept as a single plastic waste stream and recycled through an appropriate LDPE film recycling facility.

Used shrink wrap should be kept separate from general site waste and sent through an appropriate plastic film recycling stream. Recycling arrangements vary by location and waste contractor, so check that your chosen facility accepts commercial LDPE film.

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1. 1
   Keep it separate during removal. Don't allow removed film to become mixed with timber, rubble, strapping or general site waste.
2. 2
   Minimise contamination. Keep the film as clean as practical and remove excessive tape, strapping and other non-LDPE materials where possible.
3. 3
   Keep it dry and contained. Fold or bundle the removed film and store it undercover until collection to prevent unnecessary contamination.
4. 4
   Arrange an appropriate recycling route. Speak to your waste contractor or a specialist plastic film recycler and confirm that they accept commercial LDPE film. Requirements for quantities, contamination levels and baling vary between recyclers.

Fire-Retardant (FR) Shrink Wrap & Recycling

Fire-retardant (FR) shrink wrap contains additives designed to reduce flame spread. It is commonly specified where a particular level of fire performance or third-party certification is required, including scaffold enclosures, temporary containment and some industrial applications.

FR shrink wrap is still predominantly LDPE, but the fire-retardant additives mean it should not automatically be treated in the same way as standard LDPE film. Acceptance will depend on the recycler and their processing requirements.

If your recycler cannot accept FR wrap

If recycling is not available, the material should be handled through your site's normal commercial waste-management process. Tell your waste contractor that the material is fire-retardant LDPE and allow them to determine the appropriate recovery or disposal route.

Keep FR shrink wrap segregated until its waste route has been confirmed.

Common Questions

Can shrink wrap be reused after removal?

Not as shrink wrap. Once installed, the film has been heat-shrunk and formed around the structure or product. After removal it cannot be returned to its original dimensions or re-shrunk for another application. Wherever possible, clean removed film should be segregated for recycling.

Can shrink wrap be made from recycled material?

Rhino shrink wrap is currently manufactured using virgin LDPE. This provides the consistent shrink performance, strength and durability required for demanding construction, industrial and marine applications. We continue to review recycled-content materials as polymer and recycling technology develops.

What are the recycling advantages over traditional scaffold sheeting?

Shrink wrap is a single LDPE film without integral eyelets, scrim or reinforcement. This makes it easier to segregate as a single plastic waste stream at the end of its use. Traditional reinforced scaffold sheeting contains multiple materials, which can make recycling more difficult. Actual recycling options will depend on local facilities and the condition of the material.

Do I need to remove shrink wrap tape before recycling?

Requirements vary between recyclers. Small amounts of tape may be acceptable, but excessive tape and other non-LDPE materials should be removed where practical. Check the acceptance requirements of your chosen recycler.

A Note on Biodegradable Shrink Wrap

For projects where conventional recycling is unlikely to be practical due to contamination, remote location or site waste constraints, Rhino Shrink Wrap supplies bioWrap®, a biodegradable shrink wrap film using bioaqualife® technology.

bioWrap® is designed to enhance biodegradation under biologically active landfill conditions. Independent laboratory testing to ASTM D5511 recorded 71.7% biodegradation of 190 micron film after 906 days, and testing is ongoing. It is installed using the same methods as standard Rhino shrink wrap and is available in FR-rated grades.

Our Approach

Responsible end-of-life handling starts with the products, packaging and training we provide:

• Our film cores are cardboard or recycled plastic, avoiding mixed-material cores.
• Our training covers removal methods, waste segregation and recycling best practice across scaffold, marine and industrial applications.
• We offer bioWrap® for applications where conventional film recycling may not be practical.

Our Environmental Policy is available on request.