Design for circularity guidelines for the EEE sector

The increased diversity and complexity of plastics used in modern devices, such as electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), can have negative impacts on their recyclability. Today, the main economic driver for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling stems from metal recovery. WEEE plastics recycling, on the other hand, still represents a major challenge. Strategies like design 'for', but also the much younger concept of design 'from' recycling play a key role in closing the material loops within a circular economy. While these strategies are usually analysed separately, this brief report harmonises them in comprehensive Design for Circularity guidelines, established in a multi-stakeholder collaboration with industry leaders from the entire WEEE value chain. The guidelines were developed at the product and part levels. They are divided in five categories: (1) avoidance of hazardous substances; (2) enabling easy access and removal of hazardous or polluting parts; (3) use of recyclable materials; (4) use of material combinations and connections allowing easy liberation; (5) use of recycled materials. These guidelines are the first harmonised set to be released for the EEE industry. They can readily serve decision-makers from different levels, including product designers and manufacturers as well as policymakers

A recycler’s perspective on the implications of REACH and food contact material (FCM) regulations for the mechanical recycling of FCM plastics

This manuscript provides an overview of the legislative requirements for the use of mechanical recycled plastics in articles placed on the EU market, as seen from the perspective of a plastics recycler. The first part reviews the main principles included in the overarching legislation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restrictions of Chemicals (REACH) and to what extent these are applicable for mechanical recyclers of plastics. The interactions between REACH and the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) is discussed, as well as the difficulties for recyclers to comply with certain REACH requirements. In a second part, the focus is moved to the use of recycled plastics as Food Contact Material (FCM). The scope of the different applicable EU FCM regulations is inventorised as well as the key legislative principles involved. A final section is dedicated to the discussion on the authorisation of recycling processes under the FCM regulation and the practical challenges involved for the effective introduction of FCMs containing recycled plastics. Altogether it could be concluded that the complexity of the different legal perspectives, a lack of communication and transparency within the plastic value chain together with technical challenges related to recycling processes have been hindering the effective uptake of recycled plastic FCM (with the exception for bottle PET). The development of targeted solutions across the entire valuechain, taking into account different perspectives in terms of legislation and health protection, economic growth and technical innovations, will be crucial in achieving a circular economy for plastics, including recycled plastics for FCM

The effect of polyethylene on the properties of talc-filled recycled polypropylene

The reinforcement of recycled polypropylene (rPP) with mineral fillers, to obtain modulus values of 3000-4000 MPa has proven challenging for recyclers, whereas this is common practice for virgin PP. The main difference between recycled and virgin PP is the contaminating presence of other polymers. In this study, the composition of rPP sourced from electrical and electronic waste was analytically estimated. The rPP was found to be a PP/HDPE blend withca. 90/10 m% ratio. Furthermore, the effect of HDPE on the thermal and physical properties of talc-filled PP was investigated by means of re-engineered blends and talc-filled compounds. It was found that HDPE has a profound effect on the degree to which rPP can be reinforced by talc. However, the quantified effects of the HDPE alone were not of sufficient magnitude to account for the full difference in properties between talc-filled rPP and virgin PP