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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Study of waste generation polystyrene based in Misantla, Veracruz from the circular economy
ClearA mini-review on expanded polystyrene waste recycling and its applications
This mini-review summarizes recycling technologies and emerging applications for expanded polystyrene waste, examining mechanical, chemical, and dissolution recycling methods and their practical feasibility for diverting EPS from landfill in both developed and developing countries.
EPS waste management from coastal cleaning actions: identification of contamination sources, collection, treatment, and re-use in cement-based materials
This study developed an integrated approach for managing expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste from coastal cleanup activities, including collection, treatment, and incorporation into cement-based building materials. Reusing EPS waste from beaches reduces the amount of plastic that breaks down into microplastics in marine environments.
Material Flow Analysis for Expanded Polystyrene Packaging and Greenhouse Gas Reduction by Recycling
Researchers conducted a material flow analysis of expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging in Korea, quantifying EPS sold, discarded, and recycled in 2019, and estimated greenhouse gas emission reductions achievable through recycling using the US EPA WARM model. Approximately 47,000 tons of EPS were sold in 2019, and the study highlighted that inadequately managed EPS decomposes into microplastics that harm human health and ecosystems.
Morpho-structural and thermo-mechanical characterization of recycled polypropylene and polystyrene from mixed post-consumer plastic waste
Researchers characterized recycled polypropylene and polystyrene recovered from mixed post-consumer plastic waste, assessing their morphological, structural, and thermo-mechanical properties to evaluate suitability for reuse in manufacturing.
El reciclaje de plásticos, un reto para lograr una economía circular
This Spanish-language review examines plastic recycling as a key component of circular economy, noting that low consumer awareness and infrastructure gaps must be overcome to meaningfully reduce plastic pollution.
An Integrated Analysis of Plastic Packaging Value Chain: Identifying Barriers and Enablers for a Circular Economy
Researchers analyzed the full plastic packaging value chain to identify barriers and enablers for transitioning to a circular economy, tracing the evolution of circular economy concepts and quantifying the environmental impacts associated with exponential plastic waste growth. The study provides an integrated framework mapping opportunities for intervention across production, use, collection, and recycling stages.
Novel and Accessible Physical Recycling for Expanded Polystyrene Waste with the Use of Acetone as a Solvent and Additive Manufacturing (Direct Ink-Write 3D Printing)
Researchers developed a low-cost method to recycle expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste by dissolving it in acetone and reforming it, offering an accessible alternative to conventional recycling. Keeping polystyrene out of landfills and the environment is relevant to microplastic reduction, since EPS readily breaks down into persistent polystyrene microparticles.
Polymers in Circular Economy: A Comprehensive Approach to Sustainability. An overview.
This review examines the role of polymers within the circular economy framework, analyzing strategies for reducing plastic consumption, improving recyclability, and transitioning toward more sustainable production and waste management models. The authors discuss the importance of government regulation and industry standards in driving circular economy adoption, while acknowledging barriers including economic inertia, upfront investment costs, and resistance to systemic change.
Zero-waste circular economy of plastic packaging: The bottlenecks and a way forward
Researchers analyzed why plastic packaging recycling rates have stalled and identified key bottlenecks including difficult-to-recycle plastics like polystyrene and PVC. They propose simplifying the system to focus on four recyclable plastics (PET, PP, HDPE, LDPE) and treating them in two streams to move toward a true zero-waste circular economy.
Unveiling plastifoamcrete: Composition, characteristics, and environmental threats of urban plastic variants
Researchers identified and characterized a new urban plastic variant in Mexico City waste—'plastifoamcrete'—consisting of foamed concrete with embedded polystyrene microplastic beads formed during demolition or improper disposal. Twelve samples showed various sizes and surface pitting indicative of bead release, highlighting construction waste as an underrecognized urban source of microplastics.
Iced block method: An efficient method for preparation of micro-sized expanded polystyrene foams
Researchers developed a new method for producing micro-sized expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam particles in the lab, enabling better-controlled experiments on EPS microplastic toxicity and environmental behavior. EPS foam is widely found in the environment but has been understudied compared to other microplastic types.
Performance Characterization and Evaluation of Innovative Cement Mortars and Concretes Made with Recycled EPS
Not relevant to microplastics — this study evaluates the mechanical strength and thermal insulation performance of cement mortars and concretes that incorporate recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads as aggregate, focused on construction materials.
An evaluation model to predict microplastics generation from polystyrene foams and experimental verification
Researchers developed a simulation model that predicts when aged polystyrene foams will generate microplastics by linking plastic aging with mechanical failure over time, offering a tool to guide timely recycling before microplastic release occurs.
Assessing the impact of chronic and acute plastic pollution from construction activities and other anthropogenic sources: A case study from the coast of Antofagasta, Chile
Researchers documented a previously unreported source of plastic pollution: expanded polystyrene (EPS) used as expansion joints at a coastal construction site in Antofagasta, Chile. They estimated that up to 82.9 million EPS spheres could be released into the environment from just one project, with mechanical fragmentation already occurring during construction. The case study reveals that construction activity is an overlooked chronic source of coastal microplastic pollution, and calls for stricter regulations and materials management at building sites near coastal environments.
System innovation and life cycle thinking in packaging value chain: the circularity of plastics.
This paper examines the role of circular economy principles in reducing plastic packaging waste, noting that despite existing recycling systems, plastics remain pervasive environmental contaminants. The authors argue that redesigning packaging systems for recyclability and reducing over-packaging are essential steps to address microplastic pollution at its source.
The U.S. plastics recycling economy :
This NIST report analyzes the current state of US plastics recycling, comparing state and international recycling programs, examining incentives and barriers for different stakeholders, and evaluating the potential of chemical recycling to supplement mechanical recycling.
Thermal Characterization and Recycling of Polymers from Plastic Packaging Waste
Scientists collected and analyzed 23 random plastic packaging waste samples from food and non-food products in Greece, identifying polyethylene, PET, polypropylene, and polystyrene as the most common polymers. Using pyrolysis, they broke these plastics down into valuable chemical products including monomers like styrene and ethylene. The research demonstrates that better characterization and recycling of packaging waste could recover useful materials and help reduce the roughly 62% of plastic packaging that currently goes unrecycled in Europe.
The state of microplastic pollution in México: a review and evolving perspectives
A PRISMA-based review of microplastic research in Mexico documented growing contamination across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments, characterized the dominant polymer types and particle shapes, and identified major knowledge gaps needing attention in the Mexican context.
Exploring the EU plastic value chain: A material flow analysis
Researchers conducted a material flow analysis of the EU27 plastic value chain, finding that only 19% of plastics were recycled in 2019, with total losses amounting to 4% of production and significant variation across sectors and polymer types.
Inventories of plastic pollution sources, flows and hotspots as a baseline for national action plans: The experience of Mexico.
Mexico developed a national inventory of plastic pollution sources using material flow analysis, literature review, and stakeholder workshops to identify where plastic leaks into the environment across the waste management system. The process revealed critical leakage points in collection and disposal infrastructure, providing a baseline for Mexico's national plastic pollution action plan.
Effect of composite polystyrene granular thermal insulation mortar on thermal energy storage of building energy consumption
Researchers simulated the effect of adding polystyrene granules to building insulation mortar on thermal energy storage and overall building energy use. The composite mortar improved insulation performance, suggesting polystyrene waste materials could be repurposed in construction to reduce building energy consumption.
Are Reliable and Emerging Technologies Available for Plastic Recycling in a Circular Economy?
This review examines the current landscape of plastic recycling technologies -- including mechanical, thermal, chemical, and biological depolymerization methods such as pyrolysis -- evaluating their readiness for circular economy integration. It concludes that while recycling rates remain below 10% globally, emerging technologies offer pathways toward closed-loop plastic supply chains, though full-scale implementation requires further development and performance assessment.
Potential Analysis of the Plastics Value Chain for Enhanced Recycling Rates: A Case Study in Iceland
Researchers evaluated Iceland's plastics value chain to identify opportunities for enhanced recycling rates, conducted a feasibility study on expanding the deposit-return system to Skyr cups, and proposed recommendations for improving circular economy performance and meeting EU packaging waste recycling targets.
Upcycling Polystyrene
This review surveys promising approaches for upcycling polystyrene waste, covering both mechanical and thermochemical recycling routes developed over the past five years. Researchers found that no single technology is fully effective on its own, but hybrid approaches combining multiple methods show the highest potential for creating a circular economy for polystyrene. The study also explores connections to emerging technologies including 3D printing, vertical farming, and green hydrogen production.