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Recycling plastics : Process, complications and

limitations

Moumita Mistri M.Tech 1st Year student, IIT-KGP

Materials Science CentreRoll No- 14MS60R03

Course Name: Seminar IICourse code : MS69002

Plastic

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“First ,emission of waste should be reduced. After which recycling should be promoted, any remaining waste plastic should not go to landfill as it is suitable for use in thermal recovery.”

- Waste disposal law amended in May. 2005 by Ministry of Environment.

Aim – Reduction of plastics waste landfills to zero by using as a raw material or for incineration and thermal recycling by default.

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Outline of plastic recycling process

What is the need ?

Limitations and challenges of if .

Plastic identification code.

Different types of plastic recycling.

Conclusion :Better recycling vs. better way to deal with plastics.

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What is the need of plastics recycling ? Plastics are produced from a finite source : petroleum based products.

Not only there are a lot of plastics produced , but also they are produced as disposal .

Plastics have very wide range of properties which are tuned by diffferent chemicals in the form of plasticizers, stabilizers, colorants, . But by that means it is the source of serious proven –health problems.

• Plastics releases pollutantspoly-brominated di-phenyl ether(PBDE)NonylphenolsBisphenol APhthalates

• Plastic absorb hydrophobic pollutantsPoly-chlorinated bi-phenyls (PCBs )dichloro diphenyl trichloro ethane (DDT)dichloro diphenyl dichloro ethylene (DDE) 1/22/2015

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Limitations of plastic recycling Energy consumption I.e increased cost : Sorting cost and collection cost and lower market.

Plastics when recycled rarely closes the loop : Less possibility of reuse.

Recycling plastics can be toxic too

Challenges of plastics recycling Compatibility

Contamination.

Degradation.

Crosslinking of polymers.

Relatively low value.

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Plastic identification code

Plastic code

Plastic name

Polyethylene terephthalate

High-density polyethylene Poly vinyl

Chloride

Low density polyethylene

polypropylene

Polystyrene Others(often polycarbonate and ABS )

Tg ( C)

76 --125 86 -125 -10 100 (both atactic and isotactic)

145(for PC)

Tm ( C)

250 130 240 120 173 240 ( only isotactic )

225( for PC)

Uses Soft drink, water & salad dressing bottles; peanut butter and jam jars; small consumer electronics.

Water pipes, milk, juice and water bottles; grocery bags, some shampoo/toiletry bottles.

Packaging use- rigid & flexible PVC. electrical cable insulation; rigid piping; vinyl records.

Frozen food bags; squeezable bottles-honey, mustard; cling films; container lids.

Reusable & disposable microwave kitchenwares,take-away containers;

Egg cartons; packing peanuts; disposable cups, plates, trays and cutlery

Beverage bottles; baby milk bottles compact discs; automotive headlamps , sunglasses

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Plastics recycling process.

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Polymer recycling:potential application of radiation technology

Guillermina Burilloa, Roger L. Cloughb,*, Tibor Czvikovszkyc, Olgun Guvend,, Alain Le Moele, Weiwei Liuf, Ajit Singhg, Jingtian Yangf, Traian Zaharescuh.

Radiation Physics and Chemistry 64 (2002) 41–51

(1) enhancing the mechanical properties and performance of recovered materials or material blends, principally through crosslinking, or through surface modification of different phases being combined;

(2) treatment causing or enhancing the decomposition of polymers, particularly through chain scission, leading to recovery of either low molecular weight mixtures, or powders, for use as chemical feedstocks or additives;

(3) production of advanced polymeric materials designed for environmental compatibility.

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Conclusion Better recycling Vs. better ways to deal with plastics

Least expensive and least environmentally vulnerable waste is never created.

Most efficient place to reduce waste and encourage reuse/ recycling/reduction and composting is the product development site.

Products and packages can be redesigned to be durable, less toxic, Easier to recycle and use less virgin material to make a pdk.

EPR- Extended producer responsibility: Shifts the responsibility for recycling, composting to those who design , sells and make a profit out of them . .I.e producer.

“Bottle law” or container disposal law.

Outcome : reduction of use of plastics is also reduction of toxics.

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Thank you !!!

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