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Plastic Waste Management for Environmental Protection

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymeric Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2024) | Viewed by 9017

Special Issue Editors

Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: reactive processing (natural and synthetic polymers); physico-chemical characterization of polymers and composites (rheological, mechanical, thermal, and surface properties); biodegradable polymers; applications of bio-based materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Faculty of Material Sciences and Engineering, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 030508 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: biodegradable polymers; polymer processing technologies; characterization; applications of bio-based materials; biopolymers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plastics are considered one of the most serious environmental global concerns as they are ubiquitous and contribute to the increased pollution. Their applications include packaging, building and construction, textiles, medicine, consumer products, transportation, electronics, and electrical and industrial machinery. The extensive use of plastics has generated a large amount of waste stored in natural environments. Approximately 300 million tons of plastic waste are generated each year. The time and environmental degradation of plastic waste have led to their breakdown into microplastics (<5 mm in diameter) and even nanoplastics (<100 nm in at least one dimension) arriving in rivers, lakes, and oceans. People can consume between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles per year. The toxicological effect and ecological impact of these plastic particles on living organisms is not deeply understood. Promising analytical methods for assessing micro and nanoplastics are awaiting disclosure. Researchers and manufacturers are focusing on turning plastic waste into new products in a circular economy concept. These aspects need to be addressed urgently in order to improve knowledge around plastic pollution. The purpose of this Special Issue is to gather innovative ideas regarding hazard problems that could prevent the formation of more polymeric waste. Original papers and reviews are envisaged to reveal the most valuable solutions for reducing or using polymer waste in order to protect the environment. The issue topics include but are not limited to the circular economy for plastic waste, plastic recycling, degradation of polymers in natural environments, microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment, special methods for the characterization of nanoplastics, and risk assessment of plastic waste for human health and the environment.

Dr. Raluca Nicoleta Darie-Niță
Dr. Maria Râpă
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • micro/nanoplastics
  • plastic waste
  • circular economy
  • recycling
  • reuse
  • environmental protection

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1564 KiB  
Article
A Preliminary Study on the Use of Highly Aromatic Pyrolysis Oils Coming from Plastic Waste as Alternative Liquid Fuels
by Asier Asueta, Laura Fulgencio-Medrano, Rafael Miguel-Fernández, Jon Leivar, Izotz Amundarain, Ana Iruskieta, Sixto Arnaiz, Jose Ignacio Gutiérrez-Ortiz and Alexander Lopez-Urionabarrenechea
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6306; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186306 - 20 Sep 2023
Viewed by 850
Abstract
In this work, the low-temperature pyrolysis of a real plastic mixture sample collected at a WEEE-authorised recycling facility has been investigated. The sample was pyrolysed in a batch reactor in different temperature and residence time conditions and auto-generated pressure by following a factorial [...] Read more.
In this work, the low-temperature pyrolysis of a real plastic mixture sample collected at a WEEE-authorised recycling facility has been investigated. The sample was pyrolysed in a batch reactor in different temperature and residence time conditions and auto-generated pressure by following a factorial design, with the objective of maximising the liquid (oil) fraction. Furthermore, the main polymers constituting the real sample were also pyrolysed in order to understand their role in the generation of oil. The pyrolysis oils were characterised and compared with commercial fuel oil number 6. The results showed that in comparison to commercial fuel oil, pyrolysis oils coming from WEEE plastic waste had similar heating values, were lighter and less viscous and presented similar toxicity profiles in fumes of combustion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Waste Management for Environmental Protection)
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11 pages, 1487 KiB  
Article
Microbial Recycling of Bioplastics via Mixed-Culture Fermentation of Hydrolyzed Polyhydroxyalkanoates into Carboxylates
by Yong Jin, Kasper D. de Leeuw and David P. B. T. B. Strik
Materials 2023, 16(7), 2693; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16072693 - 28 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2134
Abstract
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) polymers are emerging within biobased biodegradable plastic products. To build a circular economy, effective recycling routes should be established for these and other end-of-life bioplastics. This study presents the first steps of a potential PHA recycling route by fermenting hydrolyzed PHA-based [...] Read more.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) polymers are emerging within biobased biodegradable plastic products. To build a circular economy, effective recycling routes should be established for these and other end-of-life bioplastics. This study presents the first steps of a potential PHA recycling route by fermenting hydrolyzed PHA-based bioplastics (Tianan ENMATTM Y1000P; PHBV (poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)) into carboxylates acetate and butyrate. First, three different hydrolysis pretreatment methods under acid, base, and neutral pH conditions were tested. The highest 10% (from 158.8 g COD/L to 16.3 g COD/L) of hydrolysate yield was obtained with the alkaline pretreatment. After filtration to remove the remaining solid materials, 4 g COD/L of the hydrolyzed PHA was used as the substrate with the addition of microbial nutrients for mixed culture fermentation. Due to microbial conversion, 1.71 g/L acetate and 1.20 g/L butyrate were produced. An apparent complete bioconversion from intermediates such as 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB) and/or crotonate into carboxylates was found. The overall yields of the combined processes were calculated as 0.07 g acetate/g PHA and 0.049 g butyrate/g PHA. These produced carboxylates can theoretically be used to reproduce PHA or serve many other applications as part of the so-called carboxylate platform. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Waste Management for Environmental Protection)
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21 pages, 7279 KiB  
Article
Valorization of Polypropylene Waste in the Production of New Materials with Adequate Mechanical and Thermal Properties for Environmental Protection
by Maria Râpă, Bogdan Norocel Spurcaciu, Rodica-Mariana Ion, Ramona Marina Grigorescu, Raluca Nicoleta Darie-Niță, Lorena Iancu, Cristian-Andi Nicolae, Augusta Raluca Gabor, Ecaterina Matei and Cristian Predescu
Materials 2022, 15(17), 5978; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15175978 - 29 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1734
Abstract
Innovative composites based on polypropylene waste impurified cu HDPE (PPW) combined with two thermoplastic block-copolymers, namely styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBSBC) and styrene-isoprene-styrene (SISBC) block-copolymers, and up to 10 wt% nano-clay, were obtained by melt blending. SBSBC and SISBC with almost the same content of polystyrene [...] Read more.
Innovative composites based on polypropylene waste impurified cu HDPE (PPW) combined with two thermoplastic block-copolymers, namely styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBSBC) and styrene-isoprene-styrene (SISBC) block-copolymers, and up to 10 wt% nano-clay, were obtained by melt blending. SBSBC and SISBC with almost the same content of polystyrene (30 wt%) were synthesized by anionic sequential polymerization and used as compatibilizers for PPW. Optical microscopy evaluation of the PPW composites showed that the n-clay was encapsulated into the elastomer. Addition of n-clay, together with SBSBC or SISBC, increased the interphase surface of the components in the PPW composites and enhanced the superficial area/volume ratio, which led to a recycled material with improved performance. The data resulting from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical evaluation, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed that PPW reinforcement with n-clay and styrene-diene block-copolymers allows the obtaining of composites with favorable mechanical and thermal properties, and excellent impact strength for potential engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Waste Management for Environmental Protection)
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Review

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29 pages, 3044 KiB  
Review
Perspectives on Thermochemical Recycling of End-of-Life Plastic Wastes to Alternative Fuels
by Sonil Nanda, Tumpa R. Sarker, Kang Kang, Dongbing Li and Ajay K. Dalai
Materials 2023, 16(13), 4563; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16134563 - 24 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2748
Abstract
Due to its resistance to natural degradation and decomposition, plastic debris perseveres in the environment for centuries. As a lucrative material for packing industries and consumer products, plastics have become one of the major components of municipal solid waste today. The recycling of [...] Read more.
Due to its resistance to natural degradation and decomposition, plastic debris perseveres in the environment for centuries. As a lucrative material for packing industries and consumer products, plastics have become one of the major components of municipal solid waste today. The recycling of plastics is becoming difficult due to a lack of resource recovery facilities and a lack of efficient technologies to separate plastics from mixed solid waste streams. This has made oceans the hotspot for the dispersion and accumulation of plastic residues beyond landfills. This article reviews the sources, geographical occurrence, characteristics and recyclability of different types of plastic waste. This article presents a comprehensive summary of promising thermochemical technologies, such as pyrolysis, liquefaction and gasification, for the conversion of single-use plastic wastes to clean fuels. The operating principles, drivers and barriers for plastic-to-fuel technologies via pyrolysis (non-catalytic, catalytic, microwave and plasma), as well as liquefaction and gasification, are thoroughly discussed. Thermochemical co-processing of plastics with other organic waste biomass to produce high-quality fuel and energy products is also elaborated upon. Through this state-of-the-art review, it is suggested that, by investing in the research and development of thermochemical recycling technologies, one of the most pragmatic issues today, i.e., plastics waste management, can be sustainably addressed with a greater worldwide impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Waste Management for Environmental Protection)
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