Reuse Of Plastics Research Articles

Perpetual plastic for food to go: a design‐led approach to polymer research

AbstractThere is both an increasing awareness and concern that human activity is responsible for the climate crisis. The role of polymers within this narrative is not always clear, but by industries engaging in linear economic systems there will always be a need for new plastic production, and the associated planetary cost that comes with it, to meet demand. This is a particular issue for the UK Food to Go industry where single‐use plastic packaging plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the packaged contents. The circular economy, in which there would be multiple closed‐loop cycles of plastic reuse before recycling, offers a promising direction but there are several barriers to the UK Food to Go industry's transition. This perspective article introduces a design‐led approach to polymer research, highlighting three advantages that could help to overcome these barriers: frame creation as a way for synthesising complex issues towards novel research directions; the potential for changing consumer behaviour through scripted material characteristics; and multidisciplinary working as a facilitator of knowledge generation and transfer. The article concludes with an introduction to the Perpetual Plastic for Food to Go project, a design‐led research project that combines polymer chemistry with sustainable manufacturing and design to reduce the impact of UK Food to Go plastic packaging. © 2022 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.

Practical experience with modified bitumen and bituminous binders

To date, the issue of polymer waste recycling becomes relevant, because every year the amount of plastic and polyethylene waste increases, which leads to devastating effects on flora and fauna everywhere. One of the ways to solve this problem of polymer waste recycling is to use them to modify asphalt-concrete mixture and bitumen. Thus, two problems are solved at once: reuse of plastic, polyethylene, and other polymer wastes and improvement of asphalt concrete pavement with an increase in its service life. The paper presents a discussion of the use of modified bitumen in the construction of highways and roads, the design and technological solutions, features of the technology of modified bitumen, as well as the results of laboratory tests of modified bitumen, based on which was decided on the advisability of using. The use of the combined approach of the road pavement allows increasing the service life of the road.

Mechanical characterization of Waste Plastic and Waste Paper Composites (WPWPC)

The main objective here is to save our environment from the plastics. The plastic disposal is the biggest crisis for mankind all over the world. The ‘SWACH BHARATH’ mission is almost incomplete till we find a way for the disposal of waste plastic. Generally, when we talk about waste, it is always 90% plastic. By keeping this as the main motto, we must look into reuse of plastics instead of their disposal. Since plastic is not digestible in nature for prolonged years, reuse is the only solution. In this project we are going to develop p Waste Plastic and Waste Paper Composites (WPWPC). This will effectively utilize waste plastics and convert them into useful products. The Lapox-L12 is used as resin and K-6 as hardener for the combination. The tensile compression, bending and water absorption test will be conducted to check its compatibility.

Microwave-assisted pyrolysis of polystyrene for aviation oil production

The recycling and reuse of plastics is getting more and more attention all over the world as there are increasing environmental and energy problems. In this study, aviation oil production from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of polystyrene plastics was detailed. The yields and components of oils at different microwave absorbent loads (30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 g SiC), microwave powers (450, 550, 650, 750, and 850 W), and pyrolysis temperatures (340, 400, 460, 520, and 580 °C) were elaborated for the target of aviation oil production. The results showed that the oil yield improved initially and then declined within the range of 56.00–98.78 wt% when there were increases in the microwave absorbent load, microwave power, or pyrolysis temperature. The highest oil yield (98.78 wt%) in the world was obtained at SiC load of 60 g, microwave power of 650 W, and pyrolysis temperature of 460 °C. The main components of the oils contained monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cycloalkenes with C8-C16 as the majority (64.794–85.932 area%). The results showed that microwave-assisted pyrolysis of polystyrene achieved the highest oil yield in the world, and the oil has the potential to be converted into aviation oil.

Towards sustainable additive manufacturing: The need for awareness of particle and vapor releases during polymer recycling, making filament, and fused filament fabrication 3-D printing

Fused filament fabrication three-dimensional (FFF 3-D) printing is thought to be environmentally sustainable; however, significant amounts of waste can be generated from this technology. One way to improve its sustainability is via distributed recycling of plastics in homes, schools, and libraries to create feedstock filament for printing. Risks from exposures incurred during recycling and reuse of plastics has not been incorporated into life cycle assessments. This study characterized contaminant releases from virgin (unextruded) and recycled plastics from filament production through FFF 3-D printing. Waste polylactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastics were recycled to create filament; virgin PLA, ABS, high and low density polyethylenes, high impact polystyrene, and polypropylene pellets were also extruded into filament. The release of particles and chemicals into school classrooms was evaluated using standard industrial hygiene methodologies. All tasks released particles that contained hazardous metals (e.g., manganese) and with size capable of depositing in the gas exchange region of the lung, i.e., granulation of waste PLA and ABS (667 to 714 nm) and filament making (608 to 711 nm) and FFF 3-D printing (616 to 731 nm) with waste and virgin plastics. All tasks released vapors, including respiratory irritants and potential carcinogens (benzene and formaldehyde), mucus membrane irritants (acetone, xylenes, ethylbenzene, and methyl methacrylate), and asthmagens (styrene, multiple carbonyl compounds). These data are useful for incorporating risks of exposure to hazardous contaminants in future life cycle evaluations to demonstrate the sustainability and circular economy potential of FFF 3-D printing in distributed spaces.

Plastic possibilities: Contrasting the uses of plastic ‘waste’ in India

This article draws on examples of inventive plastic reuse from India and personal anecdotes of elders as an anthropological reflection on possible plastic futures. It sketches the large‐scale governmental reforms in the domain of municipal solid waste management, or MSWM (which, by legal definition in India, includes plastic waste). In this regard, it draws out some of the problematic socio‐political and environmental implications of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ‘Clean India’ campaign, whose technocratic policy orientations towards standardized centralized MSWM echo his cultural nationalist agenda. These reforms contrast with home‐based re‐engineering methods and the redeploying of plastic discards (thereby making them notuner moton (‘like new again’), and their localized circulation through relatively local but uneven reputational and economic networks. Clean India sequesters and processes vast quantities of plastics through the wide‐ranging adoption of a waste‐to‐energy techno‐fix (in which plastics are incinerated). In contrast, the authors illustrate routine practices and relations whereby people reuse, repurpose and recycle plastics. While Clean India can detract from and disrupt these mundane practices and everyday relations, these are suggestive of alternative plastic futures – both socio‐material and environmental.

Natural and Synthetic Fiber‐Based Adsorbents for Water Remediation

AbstractThe use of unmodified and chemically treated natural fibers for water remediation (removal of chemical residues/oil spills and organic wastewater from water) is a significant and low‐cost strategy to reduce the contamination of aquifers with metal ions, as well as marine environments with oil spills and water bodies with organic dyes. Furthermore, synthetic fibers exhibit a superior performance owing to their tunable surface area and superhydrophobic/swelling properties. This review summarizes the most recent advances in natural fiber‐based biosorbents and synthetic fiber mats since the efficient removal of toxic compounds depend on adequate incorporation of functional groups on the fiber surface for mutual electrostatic and diffusion of contaminants into the fibrils. The most relevant results in the removal of oil, trace metal ions, and organic dyes are presented and evaluated. The evaluation is done according to the strategies for chemical modification of raw materials by the reuse of plastics or conventional electrospinning techniques to support the hierarchical growth of more complex chemical structures.

Cultivation of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) from Agro-waste and Dry Leaf Litter in used Plastic Bottles: Community Waste Management Model targeting Stubble and Dry leaf burning

In recent years, solid waste management has developed from early approaches of burning or dumping to reuse, recycle, regain, and retain various alternative technologies. The present study aims at developing an effective community waste management model with a solution to multiple issues. It aims to provide an alternative to widespread stubble burning, burning dry leaf litter and promoting plastic reuse. The present novel technology involved the cultivation of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) in used plastic bottles to convert agricultural and urban waste into a highly nutritional end product. In this direction, the effect of different wheat straw and dry leaves’ ratios was assessed on the spawn run time, primordial formation, final harvesting time, mean yield per plastic bottle, and the % biological efficiency per gram of the substrate. Both the combinations of L30:WS70 and L50:WS50 represented ideal options for using the two waste substrates to cultivate the mushroom species. This model will help recycle agro-waste and serve as an effective method of generating nutritious food for fighting food security while decreasing the plastic load and trash thrown for disposal.

The Potential of Plastic Reuse for Manufacturing: A Case Study into Circular Business Models for an On-Line Marketplace

The plastic industry is facing increasingly growing social and political demands on plastic recycling and reuse. The resource perspective is essential for plastic production companies. Circular economy is one perspective for how industries could deal with a lack of resources today and in the future. However, there are large challenges in the reuse of plastics waste, predominantly due to concern regarding the quality of the waste material. Our paper focuses on the potential of the exchange of plastic material waste between companies in the production process before it enters into the recycling loop. In this study our aim is to investigate if an on-line marketplace is relevant for the plastic industry for this exchange, the market potential and the potential business model and requirements of the marketplace. Through interviews and benchmarking with five platform providers and two plastic manufacturing companies, we collected information on the business models of international digital platforms and plastic manufacturers concerning the exchange of reusable materials between companies. We also collected data through a survey sent out to plastic manufacturers via two industry organizations in Sweden. This paper will present the results from the study and conclude with a description of draft requirements with particular focus on direct reuse of regrind material, and a potential business model for the on-line marketplace that should be run on a commercial basis. This study shows that there are opportunities for the plastic industry to be at the forefront of a circular initiative that could also be utilized by other industries with adjustments to reflect the specific requirements of each industry.

Geo-environmental solution of plastic solid waste management using stabilization process

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental concerns today. Plastic wastes are usually left unattended and as they resist biodegradation, they pile up in the soil and in the sea environments. Therefore, their recovery and reuse in different applications should be recognized as the best remedial action. This study presents a tangible example of plastic reuse, where a sustainable method is proposed and tested by altering the plastic waste into useful material for soil stabilization. For this purpose, collected waste plastic bags were shredded into strips and they were mixed with clayey soil by 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4% of weight. The effect of adding plastic strips into soil on the mechanical properties of the mixture was then monitored through an experimental survey. Results depicted a meaningful increase in the California bearing ratio (CBR) and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) with increased percentage of plastic strips from 0 to 0.4%. The maximum dry density (MDD) was observed at 0.2% of plastic additions. It was concluded that mixing certain amounts of plastic bag strips to the clay samples could improve the geotechnical properties to a level where the mixture could be used as a subgrade layer while providing a useful reuse option that would potentially reduce plastic piling in the environment.

Ecotoxicity of Plastics from Informal Waste Electric and Electronic Treatment and Recycling.

Plastic materials account for about 20% of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The recycling of this plastic fraction is a complex issue, heavily conditioned by the content of harmful additives, such as brominated flame retardants. Thus, the management and reprocessing of WEEE plastics pose environmental and human health concerns, mainly in developing countries, where informal recycling and disposal are practiced. The objective of this study was twofold. Firstly, it aimed to investigate some of the available options described in the literature for the re-use of WEEE plastic scraps in construction materials, a promising recycling route in the developing countries. Moreover, it presents an evaluation of the impact of these available end-of-life scenarios on the environment by means of the life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. In order to consider worker health and human and ecological risks, the LCA analysis focuses on ecotoxicity more than on climate change. The LCA evaluation confirmed that the plastic re-use in the construction sector has a lower toxicity impact on the environment and human health than common landfilling and incineration practices. It also shows that the unregulated handling and dismantling activities, as well as the re-use practices, contribute significantly to the impact of WEEE plastic treatments.

Status and Future Prospects for Plastics Recycling

Recently, plastic recycling has emerged as a social issue, and its importance is increasing. Therefore, this article reviewed the current status and the future directions of domestic plastic recycling. Plastic recycling is major economic and social problems not only in South Korea but also worldwide and is being treated as an important factor for protecting the environment and for sustainability in the next generation. In particular, China, which has been dealing with a large amount of plastic waste generated around the world, has banned importing plastic waste, therefore, other countries have faced the problem of recycling plastics in their countries. In South Korea, the landfill and incineration of the waste are becoming more difficult by the Framework Act on Resources Circulation, therefore, the recycling and reuse of plastics are a very important.

Plastic Marine Waste and its Potential for Indonesian Indigenous Communities

The management of marine waste is an increasingly complex issue facing the world today. Our study provides an interesting take on the issue of marine waste by examining how Indonesian indigenous communities can deal with plastic marine pollution. While there is an obvious need for mitigating plastic use, for effective legislative policies regulating plastic waste management, and to do more to develop sustainable waste management practices; there are also opportunities for indigenous communities to take an innovative approach by using plastic waste in a manner that drives economic development from both non-market and neoliberal theoretical ideologies. As part of this assessment, alongside Indonesian examples we include examples of plastic re-use by indigenous communities of the Philippines and Australia. Moreover, our study highlights some of the areas in which this is being done in the fields of art and infrastructure development.

ЦИРКУЛЯРНА ЕКОНОМІКА: УКРАЇНСЬКІ РЕАЛІЇ ТА МОЖЛИВОСТІ ДЛЯ ПРОМИСЛОВИХ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ

Стаття присвячена дослідженню теоретичних засад концепції «циркулярної» економіки та становлення її в процесі виробництва та споживання ресурсів, наведені ключові принципи формування циркулярної економіки та пропозиції розвитку моделі циркулярної економіки в промисловості. Охарактеризовано сучасний стан поводження з відходами та проаналізовано показники утворення і поводження з відходами в Україні за останні вісім років. Визначені напрями поводження з відходами та наслідки для українського навколишнього середовища. Наведено найбільш привабливі галузі національного господарства та види економічної діяльності для впровадження циркулярної моделі виробництва. Визначені проблемні питання, що виникають у процесі реалізації циркулярної економіки. Сформовано пріоритетні напрями впровадження циркулярної економіки на промислових підприємствах.

A software system for rapid analysis of plastics using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

With the extensive use of plastic products, the recycling and reuse of plastics raises more concerns. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has become a powerful technology for plastic analysis. To meet different analytical requirements, LIBS control system and analysis software was being continuously developed. However, existing software system only can realize the capability of LIBS system control or data analysis (peak detection or material identification). To improve the efficiency of LIBS instrument for plastic analysis, an integrated and full software is needed. In this work, analyis & test software was developed for rapid plastic analysis, which consists of LIBS control platform, plastic database, and analysis module which contains peak detection, qualitative and quantitative analysis. The software performance was validated, which provides an automatic processing for plastic analysis. Design approach of the software can be used for the development of similar instrument software and other samples analysis.

Pre-university students’ perceptions about the life cycle of bioplastics and fossil-based plastics

Sustainability has become a prominent theme in society and can be considered as an integral part of scientific citizenship. This study investigates to what extent the production, use and re-use of (bio)plastics initiates students’ reasoning and to identify the kind of content knowledge students put forward. The structure of students’ arguments was mapped according to Toulmin's model of argumentation,i.e., claim, data, warrant & backing and qualifier & rebuttals. Students (N= 27, grade 10 & 11) participated in groups of three. The students were introduced to the topic of the production, use and re-use of plastics by watching a video, answering questions, reading articles and having interviews and group discussions. Students were prompted to argue on the sustainability of bioplastics and fossil-based plastics. The results show that students frequently used arguments related to preventing pollution, designing to recycle and designing to degrade. However, themes such as avoiding waste, origin of energy and materials, energy efficiency and costs were rarely used or even absent in students’ reasoning. Overall, the students’ reasoning contained all of Toulmin's categories, and especially the increase in the number of qualifier & rebuttals is interpreted as an indication of awareness of the complexity of the issue at hand. This study underlines that students are able to bring in relevant scientific knowledge when confronted with a suitable sustainability issue, but also more societally oriented arguments enriched their perspective. Implications for the design of interventions aiming to engage students in life cycle analysis (on plastics) are discussed.

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

AbstractSociety has become increasingly reliant on plastics since commercial production began in about 1950. Their versatility, stability, light weight, and low production costs have fueled global demand. Most plastics are initially used and discarded on land. Nonetheless, the amount of microplastics in some oceanic compartments is predicted to double by 2030. To solve this global problem, we must understand plastic composition, physical forms, uses, transport, and fragmentation into microplastics (and nanoplastics). Plastic debris/microplastics arise from land disposal, wastewater treatment, tire wear, paint failure, textile washing, and at‐sea losses. Riverine and atmospheric transport, storm water, and disasters facilitate releases. In surface waters plastics/microplastics weather, biofoul, aggregate, and sink, are ingested by organisms and redistributed by currents. Ocean sediments are likely the ultimate destination. Plastics release additives, concentrate environmental contaminants, and serve as substrates for biofilms, including exotic and pathogenic species. Microplastic abundance increases as fragment size decreases, as does the proportion of organisms capable of ingesting them. Particles <20 μm may penetrate cell membranes, exacerbating risks. Exposure can compromise feeding, metabolic processes, reproduction, and behavior. But more investigation is required to draw definitive conclusions. Human ingestion of contaminated seafood and water is a concern. Microplastics indoors present yet uncharacterized risks, magnified by the time we spend inside (>90%) and the abundance of polymeric products therein. Scientific challenges include improving microplastic sampling and characterization approaches, understanding long‐term behavior, additive bioavailability, and organismal and ecosystem health risks. Solutions include improving globally based pollution prevention, developing degradable polymers and additives, and reducing consumption/expanding plastic reuse.

Shear strength of food packaging plastic wastes as liner material

The demand uses of plastic are increasing day by day leading to the various outsized amount of plastic waste producees across the world. Therefore, a proper discarding of the plastic wastes without causing any environmental risk has become a real challenge. The reuse of plastic to a beneficial product is one of the sustainable options which can secure the environment and prevent the plastic discarded to the landfill or incinerated. In this study, laboratory test was conducted to analyse the potential of recycle plastic waste as liner material in engineering application. The plastic waste was fabricated as 2mm plastic sheet liner and the geotechnical behaviors namely shear strength was analysed and compared with the commercialized liner which known as the geomembrane. Results of shear analysis showed the cohesion between the fabricated plastic waste liner (FPWL) meet the reference value for cohesion ranging 10-24 kPa. However, for internal friction most of the FPWL samples did not meet the reference value for internal friction ranging between 25-35o. This shows that plastic waste has a good shear strength and meet with global factor which feasible as alternative liner material in engineering application.

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Rapid classification of plastic bottles by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) coupled with partial least squares discrimination analysis based on spectral windows (SW-PLS-DA)

With the increasingly extensive use of plastic bottles, the recycling and reuse of plastics continue to raise additional concerns.