Evaluation of the quality of postconsumer plastics obtained from disassembly‐based recycling strategies

Abstract

The focus of the presented research is on the mechanical recycling of postconsumer plastics from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Currently only a limited number of these plastics are mechanically recycled on an industrial scale while the majority is thermally treated for energy recovery. Since there is a significant potential for value recovery and to lower the environmental impact of plastics, the aim of this research is to develop new mechanical recycling processes based on the disassembly of plastic components and the sorting of these plastics based on identification by spectroscopic methods. This study will present this distinct recycling process based on a case study of the recycling of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene terpolymer (ABS) from Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) TVs. The quality of the recyclates is evaluated by mechanical testing and injection molding of thin‐walled products. Results showed that with direct reapplication of the obtained ABS without compounding, high mechanical properties could be achieved when compared to postshredder recycled ABS. However, remaining impurities in the polymer matrix limit the applicability of the recycled plastics to components without neither structurally critical nor aesthetical requirements. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:485–492, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers