Plastics in Municipal Solid Waste

Recycling of the plastics shown in Table 1.2 has the potential for reducing the waste stream and extending the life of landfills. Currently plastics make up an estimated 9% by weight and 20% by volume of landfill discards [U.S. EPA, ISlSKlb], and most of it (83%) is the six thermoplastics. 

Recycling of plastic discards is one method of reducing municipal solid waste. 

Although somewhat synonomous with resin and polymer, the term plastic refers to a resin which includes additives for the purpose of providing a manufactured product. Resins (or polymers) are the basic materials for plastic products, and most often denote a polymerized material without consideration of specific additive. 

The numeric coding of six popular types of plastic by the Society of the Plastics Industry (PET - 1, HOPE - 2, PVC - 3, LDPE - 4, PP - 5, and PS - 6) with subsetiuent acceptance of such number coding of containers into law by a number of slates across the country has made post-consumer plastics recycling more prevelant than ever. 

Municipalities and cities are beginning to collect plastic bottles, any type of rigid plastic container, and in some cases plastic films. Film is often the most predominant component of plastic on a weight basis. Fuither development of process and separation technologies is necessary for mixed plastics if widespread recycling of plastic bottles, containers and film is to be increased. This report discusses technologies which have been developed for the separation and processing of waste plastics. 

Parameters of curbside plastics recycling such as the characterization, collection and costs are discussed in Part 1 of the book. 

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R. S. Magee, Plastics in Municipal Solid Waste Incineration A Eiterature Study, Hazardous Substance Management Research Center, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Mar. 1989. 

Brussels, 1993,pp.l2. 12ins. 15/12/93. 8(13)21 ROLE OF PLASTICS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE COMBUSTION. A TECHNICAL PAPER FROM A SERIES PRODUCED BY APME AND PWMI Mark F E... 

The role of plastics in municipal solid waste combustion is discussed, and in particular, their fuel characteristics. Details are given of a state-of-art municipal solid waste combustor and the effects of plastics on the different combustion stages. In addition, the contribution of plastics to the total output spread over the various emission paths of solids, liquids and gases, is also assessed. 

Plastic polymers make up a high proportion of waste and the volume and range used is increasing dramatically. The two main types of plastic are thermoplastics which soften when heated and harden again when cooled and thermosets which harden by curing and cannot be remoulded. The six main plastics in municipal solid waste are, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In addition there are... 

Table 4 Estimates of Plastics in Municipal Solid Waste ...

What are the various options for reducing the amount of plastics in municipal solid waste The first solution increases the life cycle of plastic by multiple use (refill) rather than disposal of packages. This is practiced with glass... 

FIGURE 9.2 Generation and recovery of the plastics in municipal solid waste stream in the United States. Source USEPA. 

The variety of plastic wastes Plastics in municipal solid waste (MSW) are a very heterogeneous collection of materials that encompass not only a broad range of types made from a single resin, but also an increasing number of items that include a blend of resins, either mechanically or chemically bonded together. The varieties are made additionally diverse through the use of plastic additives to yield specific product qualities. 

Morrow, D., and Merriam, C. "Recycling - Collection Systems for Plastics in Municipal Solid Wastes - A New Raw Material" Proceedings of Society of Plastics Engineers RKTFC Conference - New Developments in Plastics Recycling. Charlotte, NC. 

Rankin, S. Recycling Plastic in Municipal Solid Wastes. Journal of Resource Management and Technology 17(3) 143-148, 1989. 

After plastics have been collected and sorted, the alternative to re-use as materials is to burn them in a proper station to generate energy. The costs added in the recycle for use as a material are eliminated and a product is obtained which has a simple market value. In Japan where land is scarce and thus the cost of landfill is high, incineration of plastics in municipal solid waste has been accepted by the general public, though still surrounded by some controversy about emissions. 

Table 5.1 Types and quantities of plastics in municipal solid waste (MSW) in the USA in 2010 ...

TABLE 11.5 Plastic in Municipal Solid Waste of Hamilton, Ohio... 

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