Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for volumetric reduction of polymeric material and in particular synthetic polymeric textile materials. Such materials are typically used in hospital operating rooms and have material memory meaning that they re-expand after compression. Consequently they are difficult to process as waste material. The present invention is a method and apparatus for thermally compacting a polymer comprising a first and second heated surface inclined downwardly towards each other and providing with a passage at their lower ends through which melted polymeric material may pass.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for volumetric reduction of polymeric material and in particular synthetic polymeric textile materials. Such materials are typically used in hospital operating rooms and have material memory meaning that they re-expand after compression. Consequently they are difficult to process as waste material. The present invention is a method and apparatus for thermally compacting a polymer comprising a first and second heated surface inclined downwardly towards each other and providing with a passage at their lower ends through which melted polymeric material may pass.