Techniques for separation of plastic wastes

Global plastic production is continuously increasing and there is a strong need to increase plastic recycling accordingly. The most demanded polymers and their main applications are introduced and an overview of the different operations forming the plastic recycling chain is presented. Mechanical recycling is the most important option to recover plastics; it can be carried out at “macro” or “micro” level, depending on the size of plastic waste. Separation technologies are divided into gravity separation, electrostatic separation, magnetic density separation, flotation, and sensor-based sorting. Auxiliary technologies usually found in plastic recycling plants are also described: magnetic and Eddy current separators. The importance of recycled plastic quality control and product certification is strongly pointed out, reporting both traditional and advanced quality measurement techniques. The final section is devoted to list some of the main current research topics on plastic recycling

Environmental-energy analysis and the importance of design and remanufacturing recycled materials

This paper proposes a framework that interrelates the life cycle of the product, remanufacturing and recycling for plastics. The paper analyses the different chemical processes of recycling polymer wastes. We introduce a thermodynamic calculation of the energy consumed and CO2 emissions for all types of waste(municipal, electronic, vehicle). The remanufacturing process could reduce the amount of CO2 emissions through feedback to the product design stage with robust platforms that extend the product life cycle. In order to meet the requirements of remanufacturing we combine mechanical and chemical recycling solutions. These recycling processes must undergo a thermodynamic analysis to optimize energy and decrease the minimum CO2 emissions, i.e. recycling processes in line with the ultimate objective, which isthe reduction of CO2 emissions and slowing a part of the problem global warming

Recycling technologies

Recycling Technologies: Paper Fiber Waste Paper Characteristics Waste Paper Recycling Technologies Recycling Technologies: Glass Cullet Contaminants Cullet Recycling Technologies Recycling Technologies: Metals Ferrous Metals Ferrous Metal Recycling Technologies Nonferrous Metals Nonferrous Metal Recycling Technologies Recycling Technologies: Plastics Waste Plastic Sources and Characteristics Waste Plastic Recycling Technologies Recycling Technologies: Fibers (Textiles and Carpets) Textiles Textiles Recycling Technologies Carpets Carpet Recycling Technologies Future Directions: Innovative Control/Sorting Devices/Logics Integration in Recycling Plant