Mixed plastics waste reprocessing

Figure 12.11. Tensile strength of post-consumer plastic containers reprocessed with different fillers. [Adapted, by permission, from La Mantia F P. Recycling of PVC Mixed Plastic Waste, ChemTec Publishing, Toronto, 1996.]...

This book presents an overview of mixed plastics recycling technology. In addition it characterizes mixed plastics wastes, and describes collection methods, costs, and markets for reprocessed plastics products. While these studies were done for the State of Illinois, with the current national concern about recycling, the information presented will be of interest to anyone involved in municipal re( ciing, and the subsequent processing of postconsumer mixed plastics. 

This has no direct impact on additives (see Chapter 20), but the assembly and processing of large amounts of mixed plastics waste will increasingly raise the need for development of suitable compatibilizers. Reprocessing of materials may well call for improved stabilizers and additives to boost mechanical properties of compounds. 

In principle, it makes no sense to collect waste streams separately, unless suitable outlets are secured for such flows. This seems the case for soiled and mixed plastic packaging wastes, since these cannot be reprocessed to any better materials than those that substitute low-grade wood and since the option of feedstock recycling is operating at a huge economic loss. Moreover, no serious health, toxicity, or safety problems become apparent in case of less strict collection requirements. 

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