I would like to know if it is possible to recycle plastic at home by melting and molding.
Yes it is possible. One guy makes chairs out of melted plastic. There are several guides on melting plastic that show up when you search google for it. This one, on ehow shows how to melt plastic in a toaster oven. Basically, wash the bottles, cut 'em into small manageable chunks and pop them in a metal container and into the oven at 350F. It should take a few minutes for the plastic to melt.
As for molding them, I found a few guides -
But remember, melting plastics will produce fumes which can be harmful if inhaled. Make sure to melt them in a well ventilated area. And if you're doing it in a room, it would be nice to have an exhaust fan in there. Also, check out this guide on what the different rating numbers on the bottom of plastic bottles mean, specifically, what kinds of plastic a number refers to and whether or not it is safe to melt that plastic.
It’s common when someone thinks about how to recycle plastic bottles, they want to remove the caps. Water bottle caps are only recyclable in most municipalities if they are twisted tightly onto the bottle. Separated caps wreak havoc on equipment, sending them to the landfill or stalling production. To prevent this, always replace the cap once you have finished drinking your water.
Regrettably, we made the mistake of crushing our bottles at home for years. Initially, this decision seemed sensible. Smaller bottles occupy less space in the truck, increasing curbside pick-up efficiency. We even recommended this approach to our customers. However, our perspective changed when the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District pointed out our error. If the bottles are crushed, the sensor at the recycling facility may fail to recognize them as bottles. Therefore, we stand corrected: it is advised not to crush your bottles for recycling. Instead, ensure they are as dry as possible, securely tighten the cap, and do not bag them.
Although other bottles, cans and jars should be rinsed, there is no need to do so with water bottles. While there’s no need to clean them, they should be emptied and free of any noticeable liquid.
When you recycle plastic bottles, remember to not place your water bottles in a bag or any other recyclables for that matter. Bagged items prevent the process from being completed properly or slow down the system. It might seem like you’re making things more convenient for the recycling plant, but that’s not the case. The bags cannot be recycled and will rob processing plants of man-hours removing them. Water bottles should be placed in your recycling bin or a public bin free of any confinements.