A method for separating and recovering plastics from a waste stream including size separating the waste material, comminuting the material, and separating material at a specific density between 1.0 and 1.1 SG. Systems are included herein. PP and PE are separated from the waste stream

One aspect is a method for producing a first intermediate product.

A feedstock is provided that comprises a first polyester.

The feedstock is connected with a first amount of a first organic compound in a volume section V.sub.1 to obtain a first initial mixture. The first amount is in the form of a liquid.

The first polyester is contacted with a further organic compound in a volume section V.sub.3 to obtain a further initial mixture.

A weight average molar mass of the first polyester is reduced in the volume section V.sub.3 to obtain a first intermediate mixture. The first intermediate mixture comprises a first intermediate product and the further organic compound.

The first polyester is transported in a first direction that is at least partially opposite the direction of gravity when the first polyester has an intrinsic viscosity that is larger than or equal to Y.sub.IV,1, where Y.sub.IV,1 is 0.10 dL/g, and in further direction that is at least partially along the direction of gravity when the first polyester has an intrinsic viscosity that is less than or equal to Y.sub.IV,2, where Y.sub.IV,2 is 0.09 dL/g.

Methods and systems presented herein are designed for processing waste material to extract plastics. These methods and systems encompass comminution and various stages of gravity separation. For comminution, a ball mill or a rod mill can be employed. The waste material can be or can include automobile shredder residue.

One aspect is a method for producing a first intermediate product. A feedstock is provided that comprises a first polyester. The feedstock is contacted with a first amount of a first organic compound in a volume section V.sub.1 to obtain a first initial mixture. The first amount is in the form of a liquid. The first polyester is contacted with a further organic compound in a volume section V.sub.3 to obtain a further initial mixture. A weight average molar mass of the first polyester is reduced in the volume section V.sub.3 to obtain a first intermediate mixture. The first intermediate mixture comprises a first intermediate product and the further organic compound. The first polyester is transported in a first direction that is at least partially opposite the direction of gravity when the first polyester has an intrinsic viscosity that is larger than or equal to Y.sub.IV,1, where Y.sub.IV,1 is 0.10 dL/g, and in further direction that is at least partially along the direction of gravity when the first polyester has an intrinsic viscosity that is less than or equal to Y.sub.IV,2, where Y.sub.IV,2 is 0.09 dL/g.

Systems and methods are provided for chemical recycling of artificial turf, including, in one embodiment, a method comprising: providing a turf feed comprising a sized carpet composition; and cracking at least the turf feed to produce at least a cracking product comprising hydrocarbons.

A separation system suitable for separating a dry or dried infill preferably including rubber and/or sand, into a plurality of fractions, the separation system includes a first screening means configured to receive a first set of separation screens said set of separation screens being configured to separate infill into a first plurality of fractions, wherein the separation system further includes a pre-analysis unit, a database and a processing unit configured to calculate correlation coefficients and/or deviation values between the first set of composition values and a plurality of second sets of composition values of the database; and a method for separating a dry or dried infill having a composition of materials, preferably including rubber and sand, into a plurality of fractions.