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Evaluation of Thermoplastic Starch Contamination in the Mechanical Recycling of High-Density Polyethylene
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This study examined how contamination of high-density polyethylene recycling streams with thermoplastic starch (TPS) affects the quality of recycled material, finding that PE-TPS blends lack miscibility and exhibit deteriorated mechanical properties, thermal stability, and color. The findings highlight the importance of preventing bioplastic cross-contamination in conventional plastic recycling streams.
This research highlights the importance of addressing bioplastic contamination in recycling processes to ensure the quality of recycled material and move towards a more sustainable circular economy. Polyethylene (PE) is a conventional plastic commonly used in packaging for which large amounts of waste are produced; therefore, PE is generally recycled and has an established recycling process. However, the contamination of biodegradable polymers in the PE waste stream could impact recycling. This study, therefore, focuses on polyethylene (PE) that has been polluted with a commercial thermoplastic starch polymer (TPS), as both materials are used to produce plastic films and bags, so cross-contamination is very likely to occur in waste separation. To achieve this, recycled PE was blended with small quantities of the commercial TPS and processed through melt extrusion and injection molding, and it was further characterized. The results indicate that the PE-TPS blend lacks miscibility, evidenced by deteriorated microstructure and mechanical properties. In addition, the presence of the commercial TPS affects the thermal stability, oxidation, and color of the recycled PE.
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Researchers characterized polypropylene contamination in post-consumer polyolefin plastic waste, finding that heterogeneous contaminants significantly compromise recycled material properties and examined compatibilisation strategies to improve recycling outcomes.
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This study investigated how surface contamination and thermo-oxidative degradation during repeated use affect the mechanical and chemical properties of post-consumer recycled polypropylene, finding that these degradation processes significantly reduce material quality and pose challenges for achieving high-quality recycled plastic products.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.