Development and application of an analytical method to quantify odour removal in plastic waste recycling processes

Demets, Ruben; Roosen, Martijn; Vandermeersch, Lore; Ragaert, Kim; Walgraeve, Christophe; Meester, Steven De

doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104907

Cited by 53 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 51 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In this way, rheometry has long been used to provide information on physicochemical properties, principally molar mass. Cruz and coworkers [29] used of melt rheology and solution viscometry to evaluate the degradation of post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate). The effects of the contaminants, reprocessing and solid state polymerization were analyzed.…”

Section: ) Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Residual Contaminants and Recycling Steps on Rheological Properties of Recycled Polypropylene

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Recycling of polymers is one of the alternatives to reduce the impact of polymers presence on the environmental. However, the contaminants, defined as non-intentionally added substances, present in recycled material may migrate into food and also change its molecular structure. This work addresses the extractability/migration of contaminants from polypropylene (PP) samples into food simulants and the influence of these contaminants on the molecular structure of recycled PP. For this PP was contaminated with several substances to simulate a "worst-case" scenario and, then it was submitted to a recycling process. Extractability tests were performed by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy both to evaluate the presence of contaminants in the PP samples and their ability to migrate in food simulants. Additionally, molecular changes of the PP samples were evaluated by oscillatory rheometry. After washing and extrusion of the PP samples the extractability results showed considerable reductions of migrations in the food simulants and indicated, in some cases, compliance with regulations for using recycled polymer in contact with food. The residual contaminants were present in the polymer, the high temperatures and shear rates play an important role in molecular changes. Finally, the results highlight the importance of the use of rheological measurements to detect the influence of contaminants in recycled materials. Their presence result in material with different molar mass, that may be applied in different market applications.

show abstract

Section: ) Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Residual Contaminants and Recycling Steps on Rheological Properties of Recycled Polypropylene

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Sorption of VOCs on the SPME fiber in the headspace (HS) of the sample depends on numerous parameters. The three most important of these are: the type of fiber, the extraction time, and the extraction temperature [ 49 , 50 ]. As the formation of polar VOCs was expected during thermal decomposition of polymers, the mixed phase SPME fiber DVB/CAR/PDMS (50/30 µm) with a length of 20 mm (57299-U, Supelco, Bellefonte, PA, USA) was used.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simply Applicable Method for Microplastics Determination in Environmental Samples

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Microplastics (MPs) have gained significant attention in the last two decades and have been widely researched in the marine environment. There are, however, less studies on their presence, routes of entry, and impacts on the biota in the soil environment. One of the main issues in the study of MPs is a lack of standardized methods for their identification in environmental samples. Currently the most commonly used techniques are thermal desorption gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) methods and pyrolysis followed by GC–MS. In this study, headspace-solid phase microextraction followed by GC–MS is proposed as a simple and widely applicable method for the determination of commonly present polymer MPs (polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene) in environmental samples, for analytical laboratories with basic equipment worldwide. The proposed method is based on the identification of compounds, which are formed during the well-controlled melting process of specific coarse (1–5 mm) and fine fraction (1 mm–100 μm) MPs. The method was upgraded for the identification of individual polymer type in blends and in complex environmental matrices (soil and algae biomass). The successful application of the method in complex matrices makes it especially suitable for widescale use.

show abstract

“…2, 4, 7, 10, 21, 26, 31, 35, 43, 53) and several fecal, fatty or sweaty smelling odorants (no. 18,28,29,30,33,41,46,52,55,57).…”

Section: Identification and Characterization Of Causative Odorantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With regard to the smell associated with recycled plastics, the elimination or reduction of odor-active contaminants, or even avoidance of their formation at an early stage, is of prime importance. Recently, it was demonstrated that despite an observed decrease in odorous volatiles in mixed plastic film waste through washing, most of these components were still present after extrusion [28]. In terms of the extended storage periods of post-consumer plastic packaging waste, commonly up to three to four weeks in households, with several additional weeks until final processing, an early avoidance of spoilage processes presents a promising approach to reduce generation of odorous compounds from rotting processes of organic matter in plastic packaging waste [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Odor Minimization in Post-Consumer Plastic Packaging Waste through the Use of Probiotic Bacteria

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Plastic packaging represents a large proportion of the plastic consumption throughout the world. The negative environmental impact associated with plastic packaging waste can be in part abated by recycling plastics, and increasing numbers of regulatory frameworks are being adopted towards this goal. Despite recent advances in modern recycling technologies, the production of high-quality polyolefin recyclates remains a challenge. Among other functional requirements, odor plays a crucial role in the acceptance of recycled packaging. This presents a challenge, as odor contamination in plastic packaging waste can stem from diverse sources, such as spoilage processes, and strongly depends on the quality of the post-consumer input material. The present study addressed this issue by exploring potential odor abatement of malodors in packaging waste through the use of probiotic bacteria. Specifically, probiotics were added to a mixed post-consumer plastic packaging waste fraction, which was subsequently evaluated using human sensory and gas chromatography–olfactometric analyses. A comparison of treated with untreated plastic waste fractions revealed significant sensory differences. Further structural elucidation of the causative odorants confirmed a reduction in malodorous microbial metabolites, although complete odor removal was not achieved. However, this environmentally friendly approach may represent an essential step towards overcoming the odor burden in post-consumer plastic packaging recyclates.

show abstract

Development and application of an analytical method to quantify odour removal in plastic waste recycling processes

Cited by 53 publications

References 51 publications

The Role of Residual Contaminants and Recycling Steps on Rheological Properties of Recycled Polypropylene

The Role of Residual Contaminants and Recycling Steps on Rheological Properties of Recycled Polypropylene

Simply Applicable Method for Microplastics Determination in Environmental Samples

Exploring Odor Minimization in Post-Consumer Plastic Packaging Waste through the Use of Probiotic Bacteria

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About