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Recovery of aged plastics from waste stored in bales
Summary
Researchers evaluated the recyclability of plastics (PET, PE, PP) recovered from decades-old baled waste stored during Italy's Campania region waste crisis, finding that despite long-term storage and degradation, mechanical recycling of these aged plastic fractions remains feasible under circular economy criteria.
Since 1994, baled waste has symbolized the waste management crisis in the Campania Region (Italy). In response to the long-term environmental burden caused by their storage, a regional strategy was launched in 2015, leading to the construction of two dedicated treatment facilities in Caivano and Giugliano municipalities. This study focuses on the recovery and recycling potential of plastic fractions obtained from the treatment of these bales. Through comprehensive chemical-physical and mechanical analyses, the work aims to evaluate the quality, degradation, and recyclability of different types of plastics (PET, PE, PP) considering end-of-waste criteria and circular economy targets. The results provide insights into the feasibility of valorizing plastic waste streams via mechanical recycling.