Plastic Bottle Shredder in Kenya

Raw Materials and Machine Selection

The primary raw material processed in this project is discarded PET plastic bottles, often collected from households, supermarkets, and urban centers. These bottles typically contain labels, caps, and minor impurities that need to be separated later, but the first and most critical step is reducing their volume.

Based on the recycling scale and the expected throughput, RICHI recommended the SSJ1000 plastic bottle shredder. This model was chosen because of its balance between capacity and energy consumption, making it suitable for medium-sized recycling plants in Kenya.

Key specifications of the selected model (SSJ1000):

• Power: 37*2 kW
• Cutter Disc Diameter: 400 mm
• Cutter Material: 55CrSi alloy steel
• Machine Size: 3900*1800*2200 mm
• Function: Shreds irregular PET bottles into pieces of approximately 3 cm

This configuration ensures stable, continuous shredding while minimizing downtime, enabling the factory to process over 1.2–1.5 tons of plastic bottles per hour, depending on material conditions.

Role of the Shredder in the Recycling Process

The plastic bottle shredder in Kenya is now the core pre-treatment unit of the recycling line. Bottles are first fed into the shredder, where they are reduced into 3 cm flakes. After shredding, the material is transferred to a washing system that removes labels, glue, and dirt. Clean flakes are then sorted by density before being dried and bagged for sale.

The shredded flakes serve two main markets in Kenya:

1. Plastic granule production – Flakes are melted and pelletized into virgin-like granules, which can be used for producing bottles, containers, or injection-molded products.
2. Fiber industry – A growing number of textile producers use PET flakes as a raw material for polyester fibers, which are then spun into yarn for clothing or non-woven fabrics.

By improving shredding efficiency, the client can now supply higher-quality flakes to both markets, meeting the demand of domestic buyers and export customers.

Transportation and Delivery

The shredder was shipped by sea from China to Kenya. Given Kenya’s developed shipping infrastructure, the equipment was delivered through Port of Mombasa, the main gateway for East Africa. From there, the machine was transported inland to Nairobi using container trucks.

The delivery was smooth, and RICHI provided both pre-shipment inspection reports and guidance on unloading and installation. Our engineering support ensured the client could begin operations quickly after delivery.

Technical Features and Advantages

The client chose our plastic bottle shredder in Kenya not only because of the immediate need for higher throughput but also because of its robust design and long-term value. Some standout features include:

• Heavy-duty casing: Built with a thickened shell, CO₂ protection welding, and stress-relief annealing treatment, ensuring the shredder resists deformation and delivers long service life.
• Hexagonal cutter shaft: Provides higher load-bearing capacity and ensures stable shredding of high-density PET bottles.
• Replaceable alloy steel cutters: Forged with 55CrSi alloy, precision-machined, offering excellent toughness and wear resistance. Blades can be refurbished and reused to reduce costs.
• Sealed bearings: Designed to prevent dust and water infiltration, minimizing maintenance requirements and enhancing operational stability.
• Automatic overload protection: The shredder crusher machine reverses automatically when it encounters hard materials or blockages, safeguarding the motor and gearbox.

These design choices make the machine suitable not only for PET bottles but also for other plastics, packaging materials, or even lightweight waste wood.

Wider Applications of the Equipment

Although this particular case focused on plastic bottle shredding, the SSJ series is versatile and widely applicable in waste management and recycling industries. It can handle:

• HDPE containers and jerrycans
• PP woven bags and films
• Waste wood and furniture scraps
• Aluminum cans (for volume reduction before recycling)
• Household solid waste pre-treatment

This flexibility ensures that even if the client’s raw material mix changes in the future, the shredder will remain valuable and adaptable.

Customer Feedback

“Before installing the new shredder, our plant often faced downtime due to blockages and slow processing. The RICHI plastic bottle shredder has transformed our workflow. It runs steadily, the blades are durable, and the automatic reverse function gives us peace of mind. Our capacity has nearly doubled, and we are now able to meet the growing demand for PET flakes in both local and export markets.”

This testimony highlights how reliability and performance translate directly into profitability for recycling businesses.

Why the Client Chose RICHI

There were several reasons the Kenyan recycling plant trusted RICHI Machinery with their investment:

1. Experience in waste shredding solutions – We have years of proven cases across Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
2. Customizable designs – Cutter quantity and tooth shape can be tailored to meet specific waste characteristics.
3. End-to-end service – From shipping and customs documentation to installation guidance and after-sales support.
4. Competitive pricing with premium quality – Clients appreciate the cost-performance ratio of RICHI machines.

Services Provided by RICHI

For this project, RICHI delivered not just equipment but also a complete service package:

• Technical consultation to identify the right shredder model
• Factory acceptance testing before shipment
• Ocean freight arrangement and delivery to Mombasa
• Online installation support and operational training
• Ongoing after-sales service and spare parts supply

This combination of reliable machinery and professional support helped the client integrate the shredder smoothly into their production system.

Conclusion

The successful installation of the plastic bottle shredder in Kenya is a strong example of how RICHI Machinery is helping clients worldwide tackle pressing waste management challenges. By equipping a medium-sized recycling plant with the SSJ1000 shredder, we enabled the client to double capacity, improve product quality, and enhance profitability.

This case demonstrates that investing in a single, high-performance shredder can have a transformative effect on an entire recycling chain. With Kenya’s increasing focus on sustainable development and circular economy principles, demand for PET recycling equipment will only continue to grow.

RICHI remains committed to supporting recycling companies across Africa and beyond with robust, reliable, and efficient shredding solutions. For businesses seeking to improve their recycling operations, our plastic bottle shredders are a proven, cost-effective choice.