Plastic Products Research Articles

Pathways to reduce global plastic waste mismanagement and greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

Plastic production and plastic pollution negatively affect our environment, environmental justice, and climate change. Using detailed global and regional plastics datasets coupled with socio-economic data, we employ machine learning to predict that, without intervention, annual mismanaged plastic waste will nearly double to 121 Mt (100 - 139 Mt 95% CI) by 2050. Annual greenhouse gas emissions from the plastic system are projected to grow by 37% to 3.35 Gt CO 2 equivalent (3.09 - 3.54 CO 2 e) over the same period. The United Nations plastic pollution treaty presents a unique opportunity to reshape these outcomes. We simulate eight candidate treaty policies and find that just four could together reduce mismanaged plastic waste by 91% (86% - 98%) and gross plastic-related greenhouse gas emissions by one third.

Corporate engagement in mitigating plastic pollution: examining voluntary initiatives and EU regulations

Plastic pollution has emerged as a critical global environmental challenge, with far-reaching ecological, economic, and social implications. This article addresses the fragmented nature of the current literature on plastic pollution regulations and their impact on the corporate sector and aims to bridge this gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of the current EU regulatory framework and corporate voluntary self-regulatory initiatives relevant to plastic pollution. Examining voluntary initiatives – including corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs and the emerging concept of plastic credits – in terms of their potential to tackle plastic pollution and promote environmental sustainability, the article presents novel insights on how different regulatory mechanisms and voluntary self-regulatory initiatives engage the corporate sector in mitigating plastic pollution. While highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts between regulatory bodies and businesses, the study critically evaluates the challenges and limitations of current approaches. It addresses concerns about the efficacy and transparency of CSR initiatives, with particular attention to the issue of greenwashing and its potential legal implications. By synthesizing diverse sources, this article emphasizes the need to combine stringent regulatory frameworks with responsible business practices to engage the corporate sector in preventing and mitigating plastic pollution, specifically within the context of the European Union’s pioneering environmental policy. Ultimately, the study suggests that the most effective long-term solution lies in reducing plastic production altogether while acknowledging the role of transitional measures in the interim.

A sustainable approach to enhance biodegradability of recycled LDPE with starch biofillers derived from potato peels and rice husk ash*

ABSTRACT This study investigates the potential of using starch derived from potato peels and rice husks as biofiller for the production of biodegradable plastics. Starch was extracted from potato peels and modified using phthalic anhydride, formamide and potassium acetate to ensure its homogeneous dispersion into the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix. The modified potato peel starch and rice husk ash were characterised using various techniques such as SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD and were blended with recycled LDPE to enhance its biodegradability for making it an applicable environmental friendly packaging material. The quantity of the biofiller was varied from 4 to 12 g while rice husk ash content was kept constant (0.6 g). The addition of the biofiller reduced the tensile strength, tear strength and transparency of the film with an increase in haze %, weight loss both in garden soil and vegetable waste environment indicating the enhancement in biodegradability of the produced blend. Considering the applicability constrain biodegradable blend containing 20% starch was considered as the best one having tensile strength of approximately 10.42 MPa, tear strength 69.4 N, weight loss percentage of 13.29% in garden soil and 11.34% in vegetable waste when studied for a period of 360 days. Modification of starch has however increased both the mechanical (tensile strength – 12.628 MPa, tear strength – 80.47 N) and biodegradability (weight loss percentage of 15.19% in garden soil and 14.45% in vegetable waste) of the films when studied under the same conditions for the sample containing 30% starch in the matrix.

Preparation of hemp‐based biocomposites and their potential industrial application

AbstractBiocomposites are an emerging field in plastic industry. The incorporation of agri‐food waste in conventional or biobased polymer matrices allows the industry to lessen its carbon footprint, while producing recyclable plastic products. In this work, hemp hurd, a byproduct of hemp fiber production process, was used as a filler to prepare novel compostable composites in two different loadings (22% and 32% w/w respectively). Waste hemp hurds were selected due to their abundance and the lack of derived high‐value products. Three different polymers were used, namely poly[(tetramethyleneadipate)‐co‐(tetramethyleneterephthalate)] (PBAT) and poly(tetramethylene succinate) (PBS) as compostable polymers and a polyethylene elastomer for comparison. The bare polymers and prepared blends were then characterized for their structure and morphology by XRD and FESEM, as well as for their wettability, thermal and mechanical properties (namely energy absorbed on impact and flexural modulus). Structural and morphological characterization unveiled the different interactions occurring between hemp and the polymer matrices, suggesting the major impact of the type of used polymer when compared with biomass loading percentages. Mechanical tests showed that both PBAT and PBS blends properties are comparable to those of the pure polymers (i.e., in the case of PBAT the flexural modulus of the pure polymer was 82.2 MPa while the hemp‐loaded blends stood at around 50 MPa, whereas all PBS polymers and blends were 220 MPa, with no statistical difference between samples). These biomaterials have also similar thermal properties with respect to the bare polymers, underlining the promising potential as sustainable alternative to pure polymers.Highlights Waste hemp hurds were used to load biodegradable polymers at different percentages. Hemp hurd‐based biomaterials with excellent properties were prepared. Polymer flexural behavior was maintained even after hemp addition. Polymer‐hemp interactions for each polymeric matrix were elucidated. Hemp substitutes up to 32% w/w of polymer without affecting its properties.

The Impact of Green Supply Chain Management on Green Innovation, Environmental Performance, and Competitive Advantage

Environmental issues are increasing in importance for businesses day by day. Businesses are undergoing an environmentally focused transformation in all their activities within the value chain. Therefore, the necessity of integrating and maintaining the concept of “green” in all processes such as production, technology development, marketing, and supply chains has emerged. Topics such as environmentally sensitive production systems, green supply, and green innovation (GI) are both accepted in practice in various sectors and are examined in the literature. When the impact of green practices on the performance items of businesses is taken into consideration, it is important to examine the issue from this perspective. In this context, the aim of this study is to examine the impact of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices on GI, environmental performance (EP), and competitive advantage (CA). Within the framework of this aim, a survey was conducted on 283 businesses producing plastic, packaging, and textile products in Gaziantep (169) and Konya (114) provinces in Türkiye. In this study, where the quantitative research method was adopted, the hypotheses established were tested by using structural equation modeling (SEM). SPSS 22.0 package program and AMOS 22.0 program were used in the analysis. Within the scope of the analysis, the measurement model (confirmatory factor analysis) was first tested. As a result of the analysis, GSCM practices have a positive impact on GI and CA; GSCM has a positive impact on EP; GI has a positive impact on CA; and EP has not a positive impact on CA. This study is significant as it examines the combined impact of GSCM, GI, EP, and CA. Also, this study is important as it is the first study to examine the impact of GSCM practices on GI, EP, and CA in Türkiye.

Evaluation of Performance Improvement Rate of Plastic Production System Using ARENA: A Case Study of Phoenix Plastic Services

Production improvement has become essential to all industrial activity because of the fierce competition among today's production systems and organizations and the unquenchable customer demand. The shorter product life cycle has significantly increased the demand for prompt reactions to increase the productivity and efficiency of these industrial systems. This study examined the evaluation of performance improvement rate of plastic production system using ARENA. The report provided by the plastics industry was used in the study to analyze and assess the rate of performance improvement of the plastic manufacturing system. The location of the bottleneck was determined by the research following a thorough analysis of the plastic company's data, which included information on all manufacturing lines and procedures. The research employed Arena to assess and compute the rate of improvement in system performance while accounting for the material transporting process throughout the production line. The conveyor velocity maintains a lock at 75m/min, despite the company's report stating that the transports run at 30m/min. The optimized and unoptimized processes when obtained from a finished recycling process running for 1000 working hours, indicate that the conveyor process had 1045 and 1027 entity input and output, respectively, and the transporter process had 953 and 929 entities input and output respectively. The remaining number left when considering the number that enters the system with the number that leaves the system went to waste, resulting from the sorting and demagnetization process. The introduction of the conveyor brings 10.549% in the production rate and 50% decrease on expenses spent in labor. Through the conveyor system's speed control factor, which is an automated procedure, the system's percentage increment may be further raised. By raising the conveyor system's speed, more items will be produced. Conveyor system installation free up more space for additional production-related equipment, increasing products formed and the company's profit. The cost of purchasing and installing the conveyor will be covered by the excess profit.

A Pathway Analysis Framework for Evaluating the Economic and Environmental Viability of Biomass-Based Plastic Production

A Pathway Analysis Framework for Evaluating the Economic and Environmental Viability of Biomass-Based Plastic Production

Study on the prediction of economic efficiency for a tertiary recycling plant for waste plastics by using the environmental Kuznets’ curve model

Plastic products are items that we use every day around us, and their replacement speed are very fast, so that to recycle waste plastic has become the focus of environmental problems. This study has proposed an optimized circular design for the recycle plant of waste plastic, therefore, and our proposed strategy is to build a new tertiary recycling plant to reduce the total generation amount of the derived solid plastic waste from ordinary and secondary recycling plants and the semi-finished products from secondary recycling plant. Results obtained from a real recycle plant has showed that to recycle the tertiary waste plastic in a tertiary recycling plant, the finished products produced from a secondary recycling plant accounts about 27% of ordinary waste plastic, and the semi-finished products that mainly is scrap hardware accounts about 1% of ordinary waste plastic. Other derived solid plastic waste accounts for 6% of ordinary plastic waste. Therefore, if the ordinary, secondary and tertiary recycle plant can be set all-in-one, it can reduce the total generation amount of derived solid plastic waste from 34% to 6%, without and with a tertiary recycling plant, respectively. It can also increase the operating income of the secondary recycle plant and the investment willingness of the new tertiary recycle plant.

Negotiating Plastics: De-mythicizing Individual Responsibility and Plastic Materialities in Japan, from the 1940s to the 1970s

ABSTRACT Japan is the second-largest producer of plastic waste. The government has implemented policies that encourage individual citizens to recycle and reduce plastic products to promote sustainability. This study into the history of women’s relationship with plastics de-naturalises two assumptions embedded in such environmental policies: firstly, the idea that it is the responsibility of individuals to combat the proliferation of plastics and pollution, and secondly, the notion of ‘plastics’ as a singular element to be accepted or rejected. Based on archival research of articles published in the Asahi shimbun and women’s magazines from the 1940s to the 1970s, this article chronicles changing themes in the depiction of women – plastics relationships. The history of women that emerged from the analysis shows that during this period women exercised their power collectively to negotiate the introduction of various plastic elements into the household. Women collectively determined what could be sold as a plastic product, changed the industry and shop floor practices, and influenced law and government policies regarding plastic waste disposal. The analysis reveals that such collective activities played a role in shaping a diverse history of plastics that is often lost in contemporary discourses of a single ‘plastic’ element and individual responsibility.

Boosting light olefin production from pyrolysis of low-density polyethylene: A two-stage catalytic process

The increasing production of waste plastics poses significant environmental and health risks. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a major component of plastic waste, is a high-quality feedstock for pyrolysis due to its high carbon and hydrogen content. Traditional pyrolysis methods, such as thermal cracking and one-step catalytic pyrolysis, have limitations in yield and selectivity of valuable products like light olefins. This study introduces a two-stage catalytic pyrolysis (TSCP) process aimed at enhancing the production of light olefins from LDPE. In the first stage, LDPE undergoes pyrolysis with MCM-41 catalyst, yielding a substantial number of liquid products and a minor portion of light olefins. The second stage utilizes Mg-ZSM-5 catalyst to further crack the high-temperature volatile matter into light olefins. The optimal conditions identified were 450 °C in the first stage and 500 °C in the second stage, achieving a maximum light olefin yield of 45.80 wt% and a low reaction temperature, decreasing the energy consumption. Additionally, the MCM-41 catalyst demonstrates excellent regeneration performance, with only a slight decrease in liquid yield after nine cycles. The Mg-ZSM-5 catalyst maintains high stability, with light olefin yield remaining at 83.60 % of the initial yield after 48 h of operation.

Characterization of microplastics in soil, leachate and groundwater at a municipal landfill in Rayong Province, Thailand

Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in global plastic production, leading to heightened concerns over microplastics (MPs) contamination as a significant environmental challenge. MP particles are ubiquitously distributed across both continental and marine ecosystems. Given the paucity of research on MPs in Thailand, particularly regarding MPs contamination in terrestrial environments, this study focused on investigating the distribution and characteristics of MPs in a landfill area. We collected 15 soil samples, 2 leachate samples, and 5 groundwater samples from both inside and outside a municipal landfill situated in the urbanized coastal region of Rayong Province. Our findings revealed variability in MPs concentration across different sample types. In soil, the MP count ranged from 240 to 26,100 pieces per kg of dry soil, 58.71 % of all sample sizes are lower than 0.5 mm. Similarly, the size found in the leachate sample, and the average MP in the leachate samples was 139 pieces per liter of MPs. The groundwater samples showed a fluctuation in MPs count from 26 to 94 pieces per liter, and the size of MPs ranged mostly from 0.5 to 1 mm. The predominant forms of MPs identified were sheets, followed by fragments, fibers, and granules. According to μ-FTIR analysis, the majority of the MPs were composed of polyethylene and polypropylene, commonly used in plastic packaging and ropes. The observed high concentrations and extensive distribution of MP contamination underscore the urgency for further studies and effective management strategies to mitigate the adverse impacts of this pollution on various organisms and ecosystems.

Sodium selenite antagonizes trimethyl tin-induced chicken hepatotoxic hepatitis through the RNS/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway

Trimethyl tin (TMT) is a good stabilizer for plastic products but is also a toxic environmental pollutant. Selenium has good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been widely used in the poultry industry. However, it has not been reported whether selenium enrichment can antagonize TMT-induced viral hepatitis in poultry. To fill this gap, AA broiler models exposed to TMT for 42 d were established and fed a Se-enriched diet at the same time. H&E staining showed that selenium could significantly alleviate TMT-induced liver inflammation. Further analysis of the underlying mechanism revealed that TMT induced nitrosation stress (RNS), increased NO content and iNOS expression, which in turn activated the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and induced pyroptosis. However, selenium enrichment can reverse this situation, that is, reduce the occurrence of RNS, reduce the degree of pyroptosis, and thus alleviate the occurrence of inflammation. In our study, we demonstrated for the first time that TMT could induce hepatotoxicity other than neurotoxicity in poultry and that selenium could antagonize TMT-induced hepatotoxic hepatitis in chickens through the RNS/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.

Cuboidal molybdenum sulfur clusters as a platform to construct novel catalysts for propane dehydrogenation

Growing demand for short chain olefins such as propylene for plastic production drives the development of high performing catalysts for propane dehydrogenation (PDH). Here, a confinement strategy originating from metal-sulfur clusters was employed to fabricate defective MoPtSx phase via anchoring by coordinatively unsaturated Al sites present on alumina, followed by reduction under H2 flow at high temperature. This catalyst with a low Pt content exhibits great ability for C–H activation with high intrinsic activity and facile propylene desorption in PDH reaction. More importantly, the catalyst shows excellent stability during long-term tests with both stable conversion and selectivity. Through combined X-ray absorption spectroscopy, electron microscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements it could be affirmed that interaction between isolated and electron-enriched Pt sites as well as their proximity to adjacent sulfur vacancies is vital for the first and second C–H bond activation, while suppressing C–C cleavage which otherwise lead to coking.

Decoding the mystery of Bangladesh's jute decline: A climate crisis or plastic predicament

Bangladesh is one of the areas in Asia most vulnerable to climate change, with a mostly agricultural economy. Although jute was formerly an important cash crop, its production has steadily declined. However, the use of plastic products instead of jute-made goods is increasing rapidly. This study investigates whether plastic and climate change seriously threaten jute crops in Bangladesh. The dataset includes observations from 1988 to 2021, and various methods are used, including the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test, Johansen cointegrating regression estimators, and fully modified Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL). The findings show that floods and rainfall significantly harm jute production in Bangladesh. However, plastic usage which is measured by the use of plastic has no statistically significant effects on jute production. Therefore, to safeguard jute production in Bangladesh, the government should prioritize climate-resilient agricultural practices, such as improved flood management and the introduction of flood-resistant jute varieties. Additionally, promoting jute-made products over plastic alternatives can help revive the jute industry and reduce plastic pollution.

Simulation of Pyrolysis Process for Waste Plastics Using Aspen Plus: Performance and Emission Analysis of PPO-Diesel and PPO-Biodiesel Blends

As the global population increases, so does the usage of plastics in households, water bottles, and garbage bags, posing significant environmental threats. Plastics, being inorganic waste with long degradation periods, contaminate air, water, and soil when disposed of in landfills. Given the rise in global plastic production, effective waste management strategies are essential. This study utilized Aspen Plus simulation to analyze the pyrolysis process of waste plastics, specifically PE, PS, and LDPE. Simulations were conducted with temperature variations between 350°C to 550°C to determine the optimum conditions. Additionally, the study compared engine performance and emissions using mixtures of plastic pyrolysis oil (PPO), biodiesel from waste cooking oil (WCO), and diesel. Engine performance tests were conducted with variations in engine speed and load for PPO-diesel and PPO-biodiesel mixtures. Simulation results showed that the optimal pyrolysis temperature for the highest PPO yield was 450°C, producing 89% for PS plastic. Pyrolysis at 500°C yielded 85% oil for PE, 83% for LDPE, and 60% for mixed plastics. Engine performance tests indicated that adding PPO to diesel and WCO biodiesel significantly affected engine performance and emissions. A 5% PPO blend in diesel demonstrated better brake thermal efficiency and lower BSFC compared to higher PPO blends.

Problematic issues of the impact of microplastics on the human body and the environment: A review

Currently, the widespread use of plastic has become a serious problem for the environment and human health. Microplastics, being an artificial polymer created by man, are highly resistant to external influences and their decomposition requires a significant amount of time. The article provides information on the distribution of microplastics and their impact on the environment and the human body, issues of detecting microplastics in the blood, heart, lungs, placenta and meconium, in breast milk, hypothetical mechanisms by which microplastics penetrate into human tissues and the metabolism of plasticizers in children with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In the modern world, plastic has become an integral part of our daily lives, the presence of microplastics in plastic bags for storing breast milk, in baby formula and polypropylene bottles has been demonstrated, the relationship between microplastics and postpartum depression, the relationship between fecal microplastics and the status of inflammatory bowel diseases has been described. Making the decision to limit the use of plastic products in your home is an important step that can play a key role in reducing environmental pollution and protecting the health of future generations.

음악교과 플라스틱 재질의 악기 사용에 대한 초등교사의 인식 연구

The purpose of this study is to investigate elementary school teachers' perception of plastic musical instruments used in music classes in a situation where the need for carbon neutrality is emerging as part of global efforts to respond to environmental pollution and the climate crisis through education for sustainable development. For this purpose, 111 teachers working in elementary schools were surveyed on their concepts and practice of sustainable development and carbon neutrality, as well as their perception of plastic musical instruments used in music classes. As a result of the analysis, First, 88.2% (98 teachers) of elementary school teachers understood the concepts of sustainable development, climate/ecological environment, and carbon neutrality, and 70.3% (78 teachers) of teachers responded that they reflected related content in class. Additionally, 91.0% (101 teachers) of teachers responded that they were well aware of microplastics, which are becoming a major issue in the environmental field, and that 90.0% (100 teachers) had a high correlation with plastic products. Second, 89.2% (99 teachers) of teachers responded that there were plastic musical instruments at school, and 86.5% (96 teachers) of teachers responded that they had experience using plastic instruments during music classes. Third, recorders, melodeons, and dansowere found to be the most commonly used plastic musical instruments during music classes. Fourth, in response to the use of plastic musical instruments during music classes, 73.0% (81 teachers) of teachers said they were concerned, and 72.0% (80 teachers) of teachers responded that there was a high possibility of inhaling microplastics when holding plastic instruments such as recorders or danso in the mouth. Fifth, the reasons for using a lot of plastic musical instruments were economic feasibility, portability, and ease of storage, and respondents answered that the most necessary things when using instruments made of eco-friendly materials are financial support and the development of eco-friendly instruments. Lastly, the personal opinions of elementary school teachers can be divided into finance, teaching, and research, and there were responses that above all, a change in teachers' perception was needed.

The production systems green development: Waste logistics and data-driven waste management

Increasing the environmental friendliness of production systems is largely dependent on the effective organization of waste logistics within a single enterprise or a system of interconnected market participants. The purpose of this article is to develop and test a methodology for evaluating a data-based waste logistics model, followed by solutions to reduce the level of waste in production. The methodology is based on the principle of balance between the generation and beneficial use of waste. The information base is data from mandatory state reporting, which determines the applicability of the methodology at the level of enterprises and management departments. The methodology is presented step by step, indicating data processing algorithms, their convolution into waste turnover efficiency coefficients, classification of coefficient values and subsequent interpretation, typology of waste logistics models with access to targeted solutions to improve the environmental sustainability of production. The practical implementation results of the proposed approach are presented using the production example of chemical products. Plastics production in primary forms has been determined, characterized by the interorganizational use of waste and the return of waste to the production cycle. Production of finished plastic products, characterized by a priority for the sale of waste to other enterprises. The proposed methodology can be used by enterprises to diagnose existing models for organizing waste circulation and design their own economically feasible model of waste processing and disposal.

Exploring Gumuruh Village's Upcycling Potential Using Creative Innovation To Turn Plastic Waste Into Commercial Products

Plastic waste presents a major environmental challenge worldwide, with improper disposal endangering ecosystems. Upcycling offers a solution by conserving natural resources, reducing carbon emissions, and minimizing waste, all while lowering the demand for new production. Additionally, recycling generates significant economic benefits, particularly by producing high-quality commercial products in sectors like furniture. In Gumuruh Village, Bandung, the community actively participates in recycling efforts, including the processing of organic waste, to create sustainable products. Through the Design Thinking approach and Service Learning, academics and local SMEs collaborate to design and develop products that directly benefit the community.

Microplastic contamination in the aquaculture icon Oreochromis mossambicus: Prevalence, characteristics, and comprehensive overview

The global production of plastics has surged to 368 million tonnes annually, leading to significant plastic waste accumulation, projected to reach 12,000 Mt by 2050, impacting aquatic ecosystems. Fish, crucial for their protein and nutrients, are particularly vulnerable to microplastic (MP) ingestion. As a major aquaculture producer and fish consumer, India faces rising plastic pollution in freshwater, which disrupts fish health and growth, posing a significant threat to the sustainability and productivity of aquaculture systems and potential health risks. This study focuses on Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), valued for its widespread aquaculture use, rapid growth, and nutritional benefits. Our research reveals significant MP contamination (69.23 %) in Mozambique tilapia, with over 80 % from the Ulhas River and 60 % from the Bhima River contaminated and females showing higher susceptibility. These findings emphasise the need for further research on MP impacts on human health and the development of mitigation strategies.