Design from recycling: A complex mixed plastic waste case study

Ragaert, Kim; Huysveld, Sophie; Vyncke, Gianni; Hubo, Sara; Veelaert, Lore; Dewulf, Jo; Bois, Els Du

doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104646

Cited by 104 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Copolymer compatibilizers are used to aid in blending polymers of dissimilar chemical polarities. [ 90,91 ] These copolymers usually comprise a non‐polar backbone with polar functionalities spaced along the chain to promote interactions between both polar and non‐polar chains. Common stabilizers include styrenes grafted with maleic anhydride or different polyolefins grafted with maleic anhydride.…”

Section: Plastic Waste Recyclingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Common stabilizers include styrenes grafted with maleic anhydride or different polyolefins grafted with maleic anhydride. [ 90,91 ] These common stabilizers are known to be expensive and so used in small proportions to minimize costs. [ 90 ] Copolymers used as compatibilizers show varying degrees of efficiency which are largely based on their structural features.…”

Section: Plastic Waste Recyclingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mechanical Recycling of Packaging Plastics: A Review

Schyns

Shaver

2020

Macromol. Rapid Commun.

889

692

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The current global plastics economy is highly linear, with the exceptional performance and low carbon footprint of polymeric materials at odds with dramatic increases in plastic waste. Transitioning to a circular economy that retains plastic in its highest value condition is essential to reduce environmental impacts, promoting reduction, reuse, and recycling. Mechanical recycling is an essential tool in an environmentally and economically sustainable economy of plastics, but current mechanical recycling processes are limited by cost, degradation of mechanical properties, and inconsistent quality products. This review covers the current methods and challenges for the mechanical recycling of the five main packaging plastics: poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and poly(vinyl chloride) through the lens of a circular economy. Their reprocessing induced degradation mechanisms are introduced and strategies to improve their recycling are discussed. Additionally, this review briefly examines approaches to improve polymer blending in mixed plastic waste streams and applications of lower quality recyclate.

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Section: Plastic Waste Recyclingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Plastic Waste Recyclingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanical Recycling of Packaging Plastics: A Review

Schyns

Shaver

2020

Macromol. Rapid Commun.

889

692

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“…A circular economy for plastics implies that the value of plastics in the economy should be maintained without leakage into the natural environment ( Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017 ). Although several studies have demonstrated that a majority of plastics can be recovered and transformed into new products ( Ragaert et al., 2020 , 2017 ), only 9% of the total plastic waste was recycled in the world from 1950 to 2015 ( Geyer et al., 2017 ). Despite European governments encouraging the circular economy, by 2018 the EU recycled on average only 30% of all plastic waste, and the European Parliament estimated that 95% of the value of plastic packaging material was lost to the economy after a short first-use cycle ( European Parliament, 2018 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the determinants of intentions and behaviors of organizations towards a circular economy for plastics

Khan

Daddi

Slabbinck

et al. 2020

Resources, Conservation and Recycling

108

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Highlights This study empirically assesses the determinants of organizations’ intentions and organizations’ behaviors towards a circular economy for plastics. Attitudes and perceived behavioral control of corporate decision makers are the strongest predictors of organizations’ intentions and organizations’ behaviors respectively. Most organizations are willing to contribute to a circular economy for plastics, but they are failing to do so due to some critical barriers. This study suggests some measures to overcome this intention-behavior gap. Government or relevant institutions should provide incentives, disseminate knowledge, and establish networking platforms.

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“…First of all, in order to meet the European ambitious recycling targets for 2030, new opportunities must be created to valorize also the more complex and challenging plastic waste streams, such as post-consumer flexible packaging [ 4 , 5 ]. To this purpose, in the framework of the Circular Economy the well know principle of “Design for Recycling” [ 6 , 7 ] should be combined with the “Design from Recycling” approach, as suggested by Ragaert et al in their works [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. This latter methodology consists of making recycled polymers fit-for-use in designated products and/or redesigning products specifically for the recycled polymers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on Improving the Processability and Properties of Mixed Polyolefin Post-Consumer Plastics for Piping Applications

et al. 2020

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This study focuses on the upgrading strategies to make Fil-s (acronym for film-small), a polyolefin-based material coming from the mechanical recycling of post-consumer flexible packaging, fit for re-use in the piping sector. The effects of washing treatments (at cold and hot conditions) and the addition of an experimental compatibilizer on the chemical-physical properties of Fil-s were first assessed. The measurements of some key properties (density, melt flow index, flexural modulus, yield strength), for both Fil-s as such and the different developed Fil-s based systems, was also conducted in order to evaluate the suitability of this complex and challenging waste stream to replace virgin PE-based pipe and fitting products, in compliance to ASTM D3350 standard. The outcomes of the present work contributed to define a code, for each Fil-s system investigated, useful for identifying the level of their performance in piping applications. All the recyclates were extruded as pipes by using a pilot scale plant, but the process resulted more stable and continuous with the compatibilized Fil-s, as it was deducible from its flow properties. Moreover, the best mechanical performances were exhibited by the hot-washed Fil-s pipes, with an increase in pipe stiffness equal to 65% respect to the unwashed sample.

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Design from recycling: A complex mixed plastic waste case study

Cited by 104 publications

References 22 publications

Mechanical Recycling of Packaging Plastics: A Review

Mechanical Recycling of Packaging Plastics: A Review

Assessing the determinants of intentions and behaviors of organizations towards a circular economy for plastics

Study on Improving the Processability and Properties of Mixed Polyolefin Post-Consumer Plastics for Piping Applications

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