Untangling the chemical complexity of plastics to improve life cycle outcomes

Nature Reviews Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 9(9), P. 657 - 667

Published: Aug. 13, 2024

Language: Английский

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Mechanical recycling of printed flexible plastic packaging: The role of binders and pigments

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 472, P. 134375 - 134375

Published: April 21, 2024

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), extensively employed in flexible plastic packaging, often undergoes printing with inks. However, during the mechanical recycling of post-consumer waste, these inks act as contaminants, subsequently compromising quality and usability recycled material. To understand better exactly which ink components cause effects, this study comprehensively assesses thermal behavior three organic pigments two commonly utilised binders, correlated impact on LDPE-based packaging. In regard, focuses four pivotal factors: processability, properties, aesthetic attributes, volatile compound profiles. The results indicate that nitrocellulose, used a binder, degrades reprocessing, resulting film discoloration emission potentially odorous compounds. Conversely, are found to be dispersed within droplets polyurethane binder LDPE recyclates, whilst reprocessing printed samples detrimentally affects notably dart drop resistance, strain at break, number inclusions. Additionally, it is shown both comprise emit compounds reprocessing: non-thermally stable components, nitrocellulose pigment yellow PY13, well low-molecular weight molecules from by-products wax, plasticisers, additives. growing emphasis circularity has highlighted concerns about recycling, particularly concerning potential accumulation contaminations over multiple loops. While serve valuable purpose use phase product, after not only blended into but may also undergo degradation. These crucial factor for low-quality recyclates higher loads, posing significant toxicity safety concerns. Results reveal need address (precursors of) hazardous contamination intensified efforts

Language: Английский

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Toxicity evaluation and prioritization of recycled plastic food contact materials using in silico tools

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 488, P. 137467 - 137467

Published: Feb. 3, 2025

Language: Английский

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Regulatory Frameworks and State-of-the-Art Decontamination Technologies for Recycled Polystyrene for Food Contact Applications

Polymers, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(5), P. 658 - 658

Published: Feb. 28, 2025

Recycling post-consumer plastics for food contact applications is crucial the circular economy; however, it presents challenges due to potential contamination and regulatory requirements. This review outlines current European U.S. legislation governing recycled in materials (FCM). The Food Safety Authority (EFSA) mandates evaluation authorization of recycling processes. includes examining input/output flows, prioritizing use previously authorized FCM, assessing decontamination efficiency through material-specific challenge tests. Additionally, evaluates new installations intended apply approved technologies. In contrast, voluntary submission Drug Administration (FDA) provides guidelines with general advice on methodologies recommended parameters Applications EFSA non-PET materials, such as HDPE, PP, PS, are reviewed, highlighting each material. Recycled its lower diffusivity compared polyolefins shows promise packaging, a next material Union. Decontamination technologies PS explored, including super-cleaning processes, solvent extraction, industrial methods. emphasizes need multidisciplinary collaboration address uncertainties around contaminants ensure safety applications.

Language: Английский

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Investigating Polyethylene Terephthalate Beverage Packaging: Impact of Recycled Content on Acetaldehyde, Benzene, and Other Contaminants

Journal of Polymers and the Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Perceptions and alignment on quality along the circular plastics packaging material chain

Waste Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 200, P. 114758 - 114758

Published: March 28, 2025

Language: Английский

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A study protocol for chemical analysis and toxicity testing of virgin and recycled microplastics and associated chemicals

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 975, P. 179287 - 179287

Published: April 2, 2025

Plastics can contain a variety of different chemicals, which are either intentionally (IAS) or non-intentionally (NIAS) added substances. Recycled plastics especially NIAS, might vary in amount and characteristics, possibly compromising the applicability plastics. As eventually degrade into microplastics, these substances be released their environment upon human exposure, pose threat to health. Therefore, simple methods for comprehensive monitoring chemicals needed guarantee safe use The purpose this study was set up analyzing toxicity testing present secondary microplastics virgin recycled origin. Accordingly, chemical compounds polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density (HDPE) were extracted using water, methanol, chloroform as solvents, extracts analyzed with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) methods. In addition, two cytotoxicity assays applied adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells. combination NMR TXRF allowed extensive analysis showing that most efficient solvent extraction. results showed milled from mechanically more organic inorganic elements compared decreased cell viability dose dependently observed effect prominent counterparts. conclusion, suggest tend accumulate plastics, therefore, need monitored This extraction is releasing accumulated testing.

Language: Английский

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Characterization of Biobased Polymers at the Gas–Solid Interface─Analysis of Surface and Bulk Properties during Artificial Degradation

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 19, 2025

Accurately assessing the interfacial composition and reactivity of (bio)polymers under controlled but environmentally relevant conditions remains challenging. This study explores evolution surface functionalities novel polyesters Poly(Butylene Xylose) (PBX) Poly(Alkyl Xylose Amide) (PAXA) artificial degradation conditions. Employing a Knudsen Flow Reactor (KFR) gas-titration approach, we systematically analyze chemical transformations occurring at polymer's solid-gas interface. Both polymers are derived from same functionalized lignocellulosic sugar building block, Diglyoxylic Acid (DGAX). Virgin (V), long-term UV (UV), short-term Ozone (O3) exposures induce specific differing alterations in molecular integrity reactivity, resulting notable shifts material properties polymer structure. Contrary to assumption that increases area (SSA) our results reveal cases where SSA decreases, with either increasing or decreasing based on reactive groups available exhibited increased water affinity, acidification, ozone following exposure. Interfacial assessed trifluoroacetic acid, hydroxylamine, nitrogen dioxide, for PBXUV decreased PAXAUV. Surface hydroxyl PAXA reduced 5-fold exposure, while bulk transport kinetics hydroxylamine altered degradation, though exposure left mechanisms unaffected. combined analysis approach advances understanding (bio)plastic degradation. It examines role degraded as potentially more less vectors chemicals organisms upon environmental release also demonstrating initiates significantly earlier than previously assumed.

Language: Английский

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Safety Assessment of Recycled Plastics from Post-Consumer Waste with a Combination of a Miniaturized Ames Test and Chromatographic Analysis

Recycling, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 8(6), P. 87 - 87

Published: Nov. 4, 2023

European circular economy goals require the use of recycled polymers in sensitive applications such as food packaging. As plastic recyclates can contain unknown post-consumer substances, Food Safety Authority evaluates recycling processes using a worst-case assumption: all contaminants are DNA-reactive mutagens/carcinogens with extremely low safety thresholds. The current data insufficient to estimate whether this assumption is justified. To provide scientific evidence on presence mutagens plastics, 119 input and output samples from were tested miniaturized Ames test. not detected polyethylene terephthalate, which already approved for contact. However, other types plastics (polyethylene, polypropylene polystyrene), currently unauthorized contact, showed DNA-reactive, mutagenic effects total 51 samples. substances that responsible activity could be identified by comparison bioassay analytical results chromatographical screening. test analysis different independent batches material indicate randomly introduced through misuse packaging consumers, but systematically formed during process precursors input. This publication highlights need identify source critical contaminant enable future polyethylene, polystyrene applications.

Language: Английский

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Untargeted screening of NIAS and cyclic oligomers migrating from virgin and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) food trays

Food Packaging and Shelf Life, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 41, P. 101227 - 101227

Published: Dec. 21, 2023

Polyethylene terephthalate is considered one of the most used and approved recycled plastic polymer as food contact materials (FCM); however, fundamental details arising from content PET trays in relation to processing conditions or extent recycling are not well understood. In present work, presence migration different series cyclic oligomers industrially were investigated using official simulant D1 at 40 °C for 10 days. The produced two facilities, extrusion technology, namely single twin-screw extruder. Tested packaging ratios virgin (vPET) (rPET), varying 0% up 100% w/w content. Analysis MALDI-TOF-MS revealed a decrease molecular weight distribution (Mw) rPET compared plastic. Untargeted screening with UHPLC-QTOF-MS, several intentionally added substances (IAS) non-intentionally (NIAS). results demonstrated differences into selected simulant, depending on rPET/vPET among applied technology applied. Following multivariate analysis, marker compounds found be benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), lactate, dodecenamide, 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, 2nd dimer 1st can compounds.

Language: Английский

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