Plastic Recycling Machine Prices: Complete Investment Guide for 2026
2026 edition: Use this guide to estimate budget ranges, compare configurations, and then click through to the right equipment pages for detailed specs.
Plastic Recycling Machine Price Snapshot (2026)
Starter setup
Typical: $15k–$60k
Best for: basic size reduction + local collection
Shredder/Crusher + basic conveying (no washing/pelletizing)
Washing line
Typical: $80k–$250k
Best for: PET / PP / HDPE with contamination
Stages depend on labels, glue, oil/sand, hot-wash needs
Complete line (to pellets)
Typical: $150k–$300k
Best for: selling stable-grade pellets
Filtration level + degassing + automation drive cost most
Key Investment Insights
Understanding plastic recycling machine prices is crucial for businesses entering the recycling industry. Instead of comparing “headline prices,” focus on (1) material condition, (2) capacity, and (3) required output quality. Those three factors determine the necessary process stages—and the real budget.
Understanding the Plastic Recycling Machine Market
Demand for recycling equipment continues to grow as regulations tighten and brands increase recycled-content targets. For buyers, this means more options—plus wider price variance driven by automation level, separation requirements, and the quality grade you need to sell.
With correct equipment selection and stable feedstock supply, many recycling operations can be profitable. The most consistent performers are the ones that match the process to the contamination level and control operating costs (energy, water, wear parts, and downtime).
Types of Plastic Recycling Machines and Their Price Ranges
Shredding Equipment
Single-shaft shredder for film & bags (specs & options)
Price Range: $3,000 – $15,000
Capacity: 50-500 kg/hour
Best For: Soft plastics like films and bags
Single-shaft shredders are a common entry point for flexible materials. Final performance depends on rotor design, screen size, and anti-winding measures—so configuration matters more than the “base price.”
Dual-shaft industrial shredder for rigid plastics & bulky waste
Price Range: $20,000 – $100,000
Capacity: 500-5,000 kg/hour
Best For: Rigid plastics and mixed waste streams
Dual-shaft systems deliver high torque for thick-walled parts and mixed streams. Price is driven by cutter size, gearbox, frame strength, and automation/safety package.
Washing and Separation Systems
| System Type | Price Range (USD) | Processing Capacity | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Washing Units | $15,000 – $50,000 | 200-1,000 kg/hour | Basic cleaning, manual sorting |
| Automated Washing Lines | $50,000 – $200,000 | 1,000-3,000 kg/hour | Multi-stage cleaning, density separation |
| Industrial Washing Systems | $200,000 – $1,000,000 | 3,000-15,000 kg/hour | Advanced separation, water recycling |
Recommended next step: compare complete recycling solutions by material .
Pelletizing and Extrusion Equipment
Single-screw pelletizing machine for standard flakes
Price Range: $10,000 – $80,000
Best For: Relatively clean, stable feedstock
Single-screw systems are widely used for cost-effective pellet production. Budget depends on screw diameter, L/D, heater zones, filtration, and pelletizing method.
Twin-screw extruder for contaminated or blended materials
Price Range: $80,000 – $250,000
Best For: Higher mixing/degassing needs
Twin-screw extruders handle more difficult materials with better mixing and devolatilization. Your filtration/degassing target is the biggest driver of total line cost.
Cost by Material: Required Steps & What Changes the Price
| Material | Typical Workflow | Must-have Modules | Main Cost Drivers | Best “Next Click” |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PET bottles | Sorting → Label removal → (Hot) wash → Rinse → Dry | Label remover, hot-wash, density separation, dryer | Glue/labels, hot-wash requirement, water recycling, final moisture | PET washing & recycling solutions |
| HDPE / PP rigid | Crush → Wash → Float-sink → Dry → (Optional pelletize) | Crusher, friction wash, float-sink tank, dryer | Contamination level, separation needs, automation level | Rigid plastics recycling line |
| LDPE film | Shred → Pre-wash → Squeeze/Dewater → Dry → (Optional pelletize) | Single-shaft shredder, film squeezer, drying system | Moisture target, sand/soil, squeezing vs thermal drying, anti-winding | Film shredder configurations |
| PP woven bags | Shred → Wash → Dry → Pelletize | Shredder, washing stages, pelletizing with filtration | Ink/contamination, melt filtration level, output grade requirements | Pelletizing machine options |
Practical tip: The fastest way to control CAPEX is to match the workflow to your real contamination level and output requirement—avoid paying for stages you don’t need.
What These Prices Usually Include (and Exclude)
Included (typical)
- Main machine + standard motor & gearbox
- Basic electrical cabinet / standard controls
- Standard wear parts (varies by model)
Often excluded (confirm in quotation)
- Conveying system / silos / platforms & steel structure
- Installation & commissioning / operator training on-site
- Water recycling, wastewater treatment, dust collection
- Custom voltage/standards, certifications, spare-part packages
- Shipping, local taxes, import clearance
Pricing becomes “apples to apples” only after confirming delivery scope (EXW/FOB/CIF), automation level, and required output quality.
Complete Recycling Plant Investment Analysis
Small-Scale Operations (500-2,000 tons/year)
Investment Breakdown
- Equipment Cost: $50,000 – $200,000
- Facility Requirements: 500 – 2,000 sq. ft.
- Annual Revenue Potential: depends on local feedstock & product grade
- Typical Payback Window: often modeled at 18-36 months (case-by-case)
Small-scale plants are a practical entry point when you have stable local supply and a clear buyer for flakes/pellets. The best setups keep the process simple and focus on uptime and consistent output.
Medium-Scale Operations (5,000-15,000 tons/year)
Advantages
- Higher processing efficiency
- Better economies of scale
- More automation options
- Multiple product streams
- Stronger cost control per ton
Considerations
- Higher capital requirements ($300,000-$800,000)
- Larger facility needs (5,000-20,000 sq. ft.)
- More complex operations
- Higher regulatory compliance
- Greater market risk exposure
Industrial-Scale Operations (20,000+ tons/year)
Large-scale recycling facilities can require investments of $1-10 million depending on material complexity and automation. These operations may incorporate:
- Advanced sorting to improve separation and purity
- Integrated quality control to meet premium buyer requirements
- Water/energy optimization to reduce operating costs
- Scalable modular sections for capacity expansion
Critical Factors Affecting Equipment Prices
Capacity and Throughput Requirements
Processing capacity correlates strongly with equipment cost because higher throughput requires stronger rotors, higher-power drives, heavier frames, and more robust safety/control systems.
Automation Level and Technology Integration
Automation features that can improve efficiency and reduce labor costs include:
- Optical/advanced sorting: added cost, higher purity output
- PLC control systems: higher initial cost, easier operation & stability
- Monitoring & maintenance planning: reduces downtime through scheduled servicing
Brand Reputation and Manufacturing Origin
| Equipment Origin | Typical Price Position | Key Advantages | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Manufacturers | Premium | Advanced technology, robust construction | High automation & stringent output requirements |
| Chinese Manufacturers | Value | Cost-effectiveness, rapid customization | Best ROI when specs are well-defined |
| North American Manufacturers | Premium-value | Local support, compliance familiarity | Projects needing local service footprint |
Financial Performance: TCO & ROI (What Matters in Real Operations)
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Checklist
- Wear parts: blades, screens, screws, heaters, bearings
- Energy per ton: depends on motor power, drying method, and separation stages
- Water management: consumption, filtration, recycling, wastewater handling
- Downtime: maintenance intervals and spare parts availability
- Labor: sorting intensity + automation level
Revenue Generation Models
Recycling operations typically generate revenue through one or more streams:
- Flakes/pellets sales: price depends heavily on purity and consistency
- Waste processing fees: depends on local collection economics
- Byproduct streams: separate valuable fractions when possible
Investment Recovery Timeline
ROI varies widely by feedstock cost, contamination level, local energy price, yield, and product grade. Most projects model payback using conservative assumptions and prioritize stable uptime over peak throughput.
Equipment Selection Decision Framework
Step-by-Step Selection Process
- Define Processing Requirements: plastic types, volume, contamination, output target
- Confirm the Workflow: only add stages that solve real problems
- Model TCO: energy + wear parts + water + downtime
- Evaluate Supplier Capability: support, training, spare parts, lead time
- Plan for Scalability: modular expansion and upgrade path
Quality vs. Cost Considerations
Initial price matters, but TCO determines profitability. Better-matched equipment often delivers:
- Lower downtime: stable output and predictable maintenance
- Higher output quality: better buyer acceptance and pricing
- Lower unit cost: per-ton energy/water optimization
Get an Accurate Quotation (Fast)
Send 5 Inputs — Get a Precise Configuration & Quote
- Material photos + contamination (labels, sand, oil)
- Target capacity (kg/h)
- Output form (flakes or pellets) + target specs (moisture/MFI)
- Power supply (voltage/Hz)
- Delivery scope (equipment only / turnkey / installation)
We’ll respond with a recommended process flow + itemized quotation.
Conclusion
Plastic recycling equipment pricing in 2026 is best understood as “configuration-based,” not a single number. The winning approach is to match the workflow to your material and output requirements, verify what’s included, and evaluate TCO (wear parts, energy, water, downtime) before making a final investment decision.
If you share material photos, capacity, and your target output quality, we can recommend the correct process and quote an accurate, apples-to-apples configuration.
