Addressing Favorable and Challenging Flexible Plastic Packaging Waste Flows: A Material Flow Analysis

Journal of Advanced Manufacturing and Processing, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Июнь 5, 2025

ABSTRACT The majority of post‐consumer flexible plastic packaging (FPP) in the United States ends up landfills and incinerators. This represents a significant material loss because FPP, also referred to as films or foils, comprises half all packaging. Since FPP encompasses diverse range products with varying recycling potentials, improving recovery rates requires detailed understanding composition quantities used films. study quantifies flows US for 2021 estimates fraction most suitable mechanical recycling. We conducted flow analysis (MFA) by reconciling publicly available data on film generation from comparable economies. then categorized into three broad categories based factors affecting quality resulting mechanically recycled material. Our reveals that only 3%–8% estimated 5–15 million metric tonnes were 2021. Furthermore, at 40% could be readily recyclable, while would deemed non‐recoverable due techno‐economic constraints. actual proportions challenging‐to‐recycle might even higher, underscoring need updated studies waste assess feasibility scaling nationwide

Язык: Английский

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Recyclability of Post-Consumer Polystyrene at Pilot Scale: Comparison of Mechanical and Solvent-Based Recycling Approaches

Polymers, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 15(24), С. 4714 - 4714

Опубликована: Дек. 15, 2023

Solvent-based and mechanical recycling technology approaches were compared with respect to each process's decontamination efficiency. Herein, post-consumer polystyrene (PS) feedstock was recycled by both technologies, yielding PS resins (rPS). The process subjected four cycles in succession assess the perennity. physico-chemical properties of rPS then evaluated discern advantages drawbacks approach. molecular weight mechanically resin found decrease 30% over reprocessing cycles. In contrast, solvent-base yielded a similar regarding feedstock. This consistency product is critical for consumer applications. Further qualitative quantitative analyses on residual organic compounds inorganic particulate contaminants investigated. It that solvent-based very efficient purifying deeply contaminated comparison recycling, which limited well-cleaned niche feedstocks.

Язык: Английский

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Exploratory DSC investigation on the solvolytic depolymerization of PET in varied solvent systems and in the presence of model additives and contaminants

Polymer Degradation and Stability, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 224, С. 110751 - 110751

Опубликована: Март 27, 2024

Solvolytic depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a thermo-chemical recycling route that valorizes plastic waste by recovering monomers and chemicals can be reused for the synthesis new polymers. This study focuses on neutral hydrolysis due to potential environmental economic benefits water as agent compared alternative organic solvents. High-pressure crucibles were used batch reactors in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) perform real-time monitoring thermodynamic phenomena taking place during solvolytic PET varied solvent systems. melting point depression was found main identified phenomena, with exhibiting drop almost 30°C 50°C monoalcohol solvents like methanol ethanol. Moreover, only underwent significant prior NaOH containing Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry fate model additives contaminants under conditions . The uncertainty concerning these foreign substances poses challenge development technologies, methods here provided proved fast-screening technique quantify conversion identify degradation products 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl) benzotriazole UV-stabilizer, 1-(methylamino) anthraquinone dye, contaminant (R)-(+)-limonene hydrothermal conditions.

Язык: Английский

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Exposing the pitfalls of plastics mechanical recycling through cost calculation

Waste Management, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 189, С. 300 - 313

Опубликована: Сен. 2, 2024

The plastic industry needs to match the recycling goals set by EU. Next technological hurdles, cost of plastics mechanical is an important modality in this transition. This paper reveals how business economic calculation can expose significant pitfalls process, unravelling limitations and boundary conditions, such as scale. By combining methodology with a Material Flow Analysis, shows influence mass retention products, capacity processing lines, scaling input capacity, waste composition on process associated costs. Two cases were investigated: (i) Initial Sorting medium size Recovery Facility (ii) improved for flexibles - known Quality Recycling Process consisting Additional Improved Recycling. Assessing whole chain gives more holistic insight into influences choices operating parameters subsequent costs other parts results accurate recycled products. research concluded that 110,08-122,53 EUR/t, while ranges from 566,26 EUR/t rPE Flex 735,47 rPP Film, these insights be used determine fair price For it was shown rationalisation according identified reduce per tonne product 15-26%.

Язык: Английский

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Waste-based value-added feedstocks from tire pyrolysis oil distillation: defossilization of the petrochemical industry

Green Chemistry, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 27(3), С. 670 - 683

Опубликована: Дек. 3, 2024

Waste-based value-added feedstock.

Язык: Английский

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