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Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Material Flow Analysis for Expanded Polystyrene Packaging and Greenhouse Gas Reduction by Recycling
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.
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.
Recycling of Plastics as a Strategy to Reduce Life Cycle GHG Emission, Microplastics and Resource Depletion
This study quantified the environmental benefits of recycling widely consumed plastic polymers, demonstrating that increased plastic recycling significantly reduces life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, microplastic pollution, and resource depletion.
Study of waste generation polystyrene based in Misantla, Veracruz from the circular economy
Researchers conducted a preliminary diagnosis of expanded polystyrene waste generation in Misantla, Veracruz, Mexico to assess post-consumer recycling potential under a circular economy framework, highlighting that only 0.1% of the 125,000 tonnes of EPS generated annually in Mexico is currently recycled.
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.
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.
Polymer-Specific Modeling of the Environmental Emissions of Seven Commodity Plastics As Macro- and Microplastics
A polymer-specific material flow model estimated the environmental emissions of seven major commodity plastics as both macro- and microplastics into aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, finding significant differences in emission pathways by plastic type. The model highlights that understanding polymer-specific behavior is essential for accurate pollution estimates and effective mitigation strategies.
Plastic packaging flows in Europe: A hybrid input‐output approach
Researchers modeled plastic packaging material flows across the EU using a hybrid input-output approach, mapping supply chains by polymer type, packaging form, and application category to reveal that packaging represents a major fraction of plastic consumption with significant gaps in end-of-life recycling infrastructure.
Mapping Flows, Stocks, Plastic Emissions, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Polyurethanes: Decoding Challenges and Pollution Prevention Pathways in China
Researchers mapped material flows, stocks, plastic emissions, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the polyurethane life cycle, identifying production, use, and end-of-life stages as key hotspots for both microplastic release and carbon emissions.
Probabilistic material flow analysis and emissions modeling for five commodity plastics (PUR, ABS, PA, PC, and PMMA) as macroplastics and microplastics✰
Researchers developed probabilistic material flow models for five engineering plastics (PUR, ABS, PA, PC, PMMA) tracking their flows from production through use to environmental release, providing quantitative estimates of microplastic emissions to air, water, and soil across Europe.
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.
Recycling, Material Flow, and Recycled Content Demands of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottles towards a Circular Economy in Korea
This study examined the recycling system and material flow of PET bottles in Korea under different consumption reduction scenarios. The findings suggest that while PET recycling rates have improved under extended producer responsibility policies, achieving a true circular economy for plastic bottles requires further increases in recycled content and reductions in overall consumption.
Plastics in the global environment assessed through material flow analysis, degradation and environmental transportation
Researchers conducted a global mass flow analysis of plastic emissions across all countries, tracking 8 polymer types across 10 sectors into 7 environmental compartments. The study estimated that 0.8 million tonnes of microplastics and 8.7 million tonnes of macroplastics entered the environment in 2017, with tire wear being the largest source of microplastic emissions. Modeling predicts that even with zero plastic production after 2022, approximately 2.15 gigatonnes of plastics would still accumulate in the environment by 2050 due to landfill leakage and degradation.
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.
Comparative Analysis of Plastic Waste Management Options Sustainability Profiles
Using the US EPA WARM model, researchers compared greenhouse gas emissions from three plastic waste management options (recycling, energy recovery, and landfilling) in the EU, USA, and Romania. Recycling consistently produced the lowest GHG emissions across all regions, reinforcing circular economy frameworks as the preferred end-of-life strategy for plastics.
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.
Plant species-specific impact of polyethylene microspheres on seedling growth and the metabolome
Researchers modeled the lifecycle of plastic packaging and estimated the generation of secondary microplastics from different disposal pathways including landfill, incineration, and recycling. Results indicate that recycling significantly reduces microplastic generation but does not eliminate it entirely.
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.
Mapping Flows, Stocks,Plastic Emissions, and GreenhouseGas Emissions of Polyurethanes: Decoding Challenges and PollutionPrevention Pathways in China
Researchers employed dynamic material flow analysis to trace polyurethane (PU) cycles in China from 1958 to 2022, finding that in-use PU stocks surged to 9.09 x 10^10 kg by 2022 and identifying the textiles, apparel, and footwear sector as the largest generator of PU waste at 41.4% of the total.
The Environmental Analysis of the Post-Use Management Scenarios of the Heat-Shrinkable Film
Researchers conducted a life cycle assessment of different post-use management options for heat-shrinkable plastic films, including recycling, landfilling, and incineration. Recycling consistently showed the lowest environmental impact—reducing potential impact by more than 50% compared to other disposal options—while improper disposal contributed to microplastic generation and greenhouse gas emissions.
Rapid Production of Micro- and Nanoplastics by Fragmentation of Expanded Polystyrene Exposed to Sunlight
Researchers conducted a 24-month outdoor weathering experiment on expanded polystyrene and found it began fragmenting into micro- and nanoplastics within just one month of sunlight exposure. A single square centimeter of weathered EPS could produce approximately 67 million tiny particles. The study highlights that expanded polystyrene debris in the environment can rapidly become a massive source of secondary microplastic and nanoplastic pollution.
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.
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.
Expandable polystyrene production and market survey- A review
This review examines the production processes and global market for expandable polystyrene (EPS), describing the two main manufacturing approaches — batch processing and the impregnation method — used to produce pre-expanded PS beads. The paper surveys EPS applications in packaging, construction, and insulation and presents data on worldwide polystyrene consumption and market trends.