Abstract
Plastics are versatile materials used in a variety of sectors that have seen a rapid increase in their global production. Millions of tonnes of plastic wastes are generated each year, which puts pressure on plastic waste management methods to prevent their accumulation within the environment. Recycling is an attractive disposal method and aids the initiative of a circular plastic economy, but recycling still has challenges to overcome. This review starts with an overview of the current European recycling strategies for solid plastic waste and the challenges faced. Emphasis lies on the recycling of polyolefins (POs) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which are found in plastic packaging, as packaging contributes a signification proportion to solid plastic wastes. Both sections, the recycling of POs and PET, discuss the sources of wastes, chemical and mechanical recycling, effects of recycling on the material properties, strategies to improve the performance of recycled POs and PET, and finally the applications of recycled POs and PET. The review concludes with a discussion of the future potential and opportunities of recycled POs and PET.
Highlights
Secondary recycling involves the recovery of plastics from municipal solid waste (MSW) and is described as down-cycling due to the recyclate demonstrating a reduction in properties, and it are used in less demanding environments compared to the virgin material [39,55]
The development of Recycled Polyolefins (rPOs) and recycled PET (rPET) microfibril composites which can be further reinforced with glass fibres (GF) or natural fibres has led to the possibility of rPET being used in higher performance applications such as scaffolding, railroad ties, or car bumpers [256]
POs and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are commonly found in plastic wastes due to their high use in consumer goods
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. At the end of its life cycle, a plastic product can either undergo recycling, energy. At the end of its life cycle, a plastic product can either undergo recycling, energy recovery, or be placed in landfill [15,16,17,18]. The shorthas lifetime, use, and improper waste management management of plastic packaging led tosingle detrimental environmental effects which are well documented in has the literature [12,14,31].environmental. Prominent plastics found plastic packaging are high tion, increases food shelf life The which reduces food waste, andinimproves food hygiene and density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and safety [32,33,34,35].
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