Legacy additives in a circular economy of plastics: Current dilemma, policy analysis, and emerging countermeasures

Wagner, S.; Schlummer, Martin

doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104800

Cited by 151 publications

(93 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…The BFRs are the most effective flame-retardant agents and among the most investigated hazardous e-plastic additives [ 7 ]. The main group of BFRs includes brominated flame retardants with antimony (Sb) as a synergist (e.g., polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), decabromodiphenylethane, and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA)).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of the main and most harmful categories of WEEE plastic (WEEEP) additives includes brominated flames retardants (BFRs), used to retard ignition and prevent fire from spreading in electronic devices. These halogenated functional additives act chemically by stopping flame propagation; they must be compatible with the polymer they are added to, and must be stable during the lifespan of the plastic product [ 7 ]. This required stability causes many BFRs to be persistent, bio-accumulating, and toxic, and to be classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), according to the UN Stockholm Convention ( ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ecotoxicity of Plastics from Informal Waste Electric and Electronic Treatment and Recycling

Butturi

Marinelli

Gamberini

et al. 2020

Toxics

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Plastic materials account for about 20% of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The recycling of this plastic fraction is a complex issue, heavily conditioned by the content of harmful additives, such as brominated flame retardants. Thus, the management and reprocessing of WEEE plastics pose environmental and human health concerns, mainly in developing countries, where informal recycling and disposal are practiced. The objective of this study was twofold. Firstly, it aimed to investigate some of the available options described in the literature for the re-use of WEEE plastic scraps in construction materials, a promising recycling route in the developing countries. Moreover, it presents an evaluation of the impact of these available end-of-life scenarios on the environment by means of the life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. In order to consider worker health and human and ecological risks, the LCA analysis focuses on ecotoxicity more than on climate change. The LCA evaluation confirmed that the plastic re-use in the construction sector has a lower toxicity impact on the environment and human health than common landfilling and incineration practices. It also shows that the unregulated handling and dismantling activities, as well as the re-use practices, contribute significantly to the impact of WEEE plastic treatments.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecotoxicity of Plastics from Informal Waste Electric and Electronic Treatment and Recycling

Butturi

Marinelli

Gamberini

et al. 2020

Toxics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The product of the likelihood and severity resulted in a colour coded risk score, described qualitatively in Table S 6. (Wagner and Schlummer, 2020), however here we use the term 'legacy substances' (add citation), to encompass a wider range of substances as follows:…”

Section: Risk Based Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…posing little risk to human health (Wagner and Schlummer, 2020). Even when some substances occur in larger quantities or are potentially hazardous to health, if they are bound to the polymer or have low migration potential, then they may have limited potential to transfer from the surface and into surrounding media such as food or human skin.…”

Section: Risk Based Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plastic waste reprocessing for circular economy: A systematic review of risks to occupational and public health from legacy substances and extrusion

Cook¹,

Velis²,

Derks³

2020

Preprint

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Increasing aspirations to develop a circular economy for waste plastics will result in an expansion of the global plastics reprocessing sector over the coming decades. Here we focus on two critical challenges within the value chain that as a result of such increased circularity may exacerbate existing issues for occupational and public health (1): Legacy contamination in secondary plastics, addressing the risk of materials and substances being inherited from the previous use and carried through into new products when the material enters its subsequent use phase; and challenge (2): Extrusion of secondary plastics in reprocessing, an end process of conventional mechanical recycling of plastics, involving heating secondary plastics under pressure until they melt and can be formed into new products. Via a systematic review (PRISMA guidelines, adapted), we considered over 4,000 sources of information, refined and consolidated into 20 relevant sources, which were critically assessed. We also derive prevalent risk scenarios of hazard-pathway-receptor combinations, subsequently being ranked. Our critical analysis highlights that despite stringent regulation, industrial diligence and enforcement, occasionally small amounts of potentially hazardous substances are able to pass through these safeguards and re-enter in the new product cycle. Although many are present at concentrations unlikely to pose a serious and imminent threat, their existence may be an indication of a wider or possibly increasing challenge of pollution dispersion, as the plastics reprocessing sector proliferates. But, in the Global South context, such controls may not be in place. Several studies showed emission control by passive ventilation, through open doors and windows followed by dilution and dispersion in the atmosphere, resulting in increased occupational exposure. It is recommended that further investigations are undertaken to establish the scale and magnitude of such phenomena, especially given the limited evidence base, with results informing improved future risk management protocols of a circular economy for plastics.

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“…Plastics are one of the present world’s largest innovations and widely used materials worldwide. Plastic demand has grown dramatically in the last 50 years, more than 322 Metric tons in 2015, with a projected doubling by 2035 [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. According to an Australian plastics recycling study, overall use of plastics was 3.513 Million tons in 2016–2017, whereas only 0.42 Million tons were reused [ 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recycling and Utilization of Polymers for Road Construction Projects: An Application of the Circular Economy Concept

Anwar¹,

Shah²,

Alhazmi

2021

Polymers

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Numerous environmental issues arise as a result of a linear economy strategy: reserves become scarce and end up in landfills and as greenhouse gases. Utilizing waste as a resource or shifting towards a circular economy are among the effective strategies for addressing these issues. To track this shift, appropriate measures that concentrate on sustainable development while taking practical contexts into consideration are required. In this paper, we utilize plastic wastes as a replacement for bitumen for reuse aiming at a circular economy. The use of plastic waste materials, i.e., plastic bottles (PET) and gas pipes (PE) in asphalt materials as a bitumen modifier was studied through series of experimental lab test methods. Marshall samples were prepared using a conventional Marshall method containing five different percentages (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) of plastic content by total weight of bitumen. Samples were tested after 1 and 30 days and the result shows that the stability of plastic-modified asphalt concrete was increased after 30 days, while still meeting standard criteria with plastic contents up to 20%. Moreover, the addition of waste plastic in road construction is a very effective strategy for reusing plastic waste, which also provides economic and social benefits for a sustainable approach to road pavements.

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Legacy additives in a circular economy of plastics: Current dilemma, policy analysis, and emerging countermeasures

Cited by 151 publications

References 62 publications

Ecotoxicity of Plastics from Informal Waste Electric and Electronic Treatment and Recycling

Ecotoxicity of Plastics from Informal Waste Electric and Electronic Treatment and Recycling

Plastic waste reprocessing for circular economy: A systematic review of risks to occupational and public health from legacy substances and extrusion

Recycling and Utilization of Polymers for Road Construction Projects: An Application of the Circular Economy Concept

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