Tinjauan Literatur Pemanfaatan Nuklir dalam Pengurangan Sampah Plastik

Abstract

Solid domestic waste is a priority sector in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in Indonesia. Plastic waste is a type of solid domestic waste that will contribute up to 23.57% of waste generation in Indonesia in 2022. The aim of this paper was a general review of the use of nuclear technology and aspects related to plastic waste management in supporting the reduction of GHG emissions. The research method is a literature study from regulatory aspects, international recommendations/ guidelines, and several related studies. Conventional plastic waste management through 3R principles through reducing, reusing, and recycling. Nuclear utilization can contribute to plastic waste management, one of which is irradiation techniques. The expected interaction of radiation with plastic is depolymerization and cross-linking. Utilization of irradiation technology in reducing plastic waste directly by depolymerizing plastic waste. In the indirect process, plastic is used as a substituent for other materials, such as the manufacture of Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC), and then irradiated with a specific dose. Increasing the radiation dose will increase the number of chain cleavage/degradation and increase the degree of crystallinity, but inversely proportional to the molecular weight obtained will decrease. Irradiation technology is proven to increase the mechanical strength, compressive strength, and modulus of elasticity in FRC. The current regulatory and licensing aspects cover irradiation technology (irradiators). It's just that the challenges in implementing irradiation technology in processing plastic waste include energy requirements in the operation of irradiation technology (irradiators) and a reduction in efficiency. Keywords: nuclear, waste, plastic, irradiation, radiation dose