Yes, you can recycle old or damaged soft plastic baits. As long as they are the same plastic family (PVC plastisol), cut them up, reheat to about 350°F, and re-pour. Keep colors sorted, add a little fresh plastic or heat stabilizer if the batch has been cooked many times, and never mix in non-plastisol materials.
Recycling old baits cuts waste and stretches your plastic further. Here is how to do it safely.
What you can and can't recycle
- You can re-melt plastisol baits: your own pours, torn baits, and leftover scraps.
- You should not mix in non-plastisol materials, such as TPE or unknown rubber baits, which can smoke, smell, or fail to fuse.
- Sort by color so your recycled batch comes out a usable color rather than muddy brown.
How to re-pour old baits
- Sort baits by color (lights together, darks together). Dark colors can be combined into a single dark batch.
- Cut them up into small pieces so they melt evenly.
- Reheat in short bursts to about 350°F, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Add a little fresh plastic or heat stabilizer if the plastic has been cooked several times and looks thick or dark.
- Re-color if needed, then pour or inject as usual.
- Cool, pull, and cure.
Safety and quality tips
- Recycled plastic that has been reheated many times can yellow or scorch; heat stabilizer helps, and blending in fresh plastic revives it. It may remain slightly yellow.
- Work in a well-ventilated space, and stop heating if plastic smokes.
- Keep a dedicated recycling cup so bits of old color don't contaminate fresh pours.
- Keep in Ziploc bags and label the durometer if known.
Frequently asked questions
Can you melt down old soft plastic baits?
Yes, if they are plastisol. Cut them up, reheat to about 350°F, and re-pour. Do not mix in non-plastisol baits.
How many times can you reheat plastisol?
Several times, especially with heat stabilizer. Blend in fresh plastic if a recycled batch looks thick or discolored.
Will recycled baits fish as well?
Yes, as long as the plastic is not scorched. Sort colors so the result is a usable color.
What should I not recycle?
Non-plastisol baits (like some commercial TPE baits) and anything you are unsure about, since they may not melt or fuse correctly.
Keep pouring
Recycling pairs perfectly with a growing mold collection. Browse molds by category, and if you are new, read our beginner's guide and plastisol guide.
By the Angling A.i. team