Sustainable recycling of "green" plastics and industrial plastic waste

Sustainable recycling of "green" plastics and industrial plastic waste

Introduction of "green" plastics to the market has created a number of issues that need to be investigated. One important question concerns the potential risk for contamination of the collected conventional plastics, concerns with the cost for separation and for increased contamination, yield loss and impact on recycled materials quality and processing. 

Another important issue is to develop technologically viable, efficient and economically sustainable recovery systems and end markets for post-consumer, bio-based materials without jeopardizing the existing recycling systems. Maintaining high engineering properties throughout the reprocessing and pelletization process of biopolymers and natural fibres requires development of processing technology as well as development of additives that can significantly improve the performance and durability of these materials. This interdisciplinary project has as objective to find explanations and technical solutions to the above mentioned problems.

In order to implement the results of the project, recycling manuals will be created. The final goal is to ensure that the recycling will not cause any environmental or health problems.