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Making Plastics from Garbage

Author

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  • Kenji Sakai
  • Masayuki Taniguchi
  • Shigenobu Miura
  • Hitomi Ohara
  • Toru Matsumoto
  • Yoshihito Shirai

Abstract

We propose a novel recycling system for municipal food waste that combines fermentation and chemical processes to produce high‐quality poly‐L‐lactate (PLLA) biodegradable plastics. The process consists of removal of endogenous D, L‐lactic acid from minced food waste by a propionibacterium, L‐lactic acid fermentation under semisolid conditions, L‐lactic acid purification via butyl esterification, and L‐lactic acid polymerization via LL‐lactide. The total design of the process enables a high yield of PLLA with high optical activity (i.e., a high proportion of optical isomers) and novel recycling of all materials produced at each step, with energy savings and minimal emissions. Approximately 50% of the total carbon was removed, mostly as L‐lactic acid, and 100 kg of collected food waste yielded 7.0 kg PLLA (about 34% of the total carbon). The physical properties of the PLLA yielded in this manner were comparable to those of PLLA generated from commercially available. L‐lactic acid. Evaluation of the process is also discussed from the viewpoints of material and energy balances and environmental impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Kenji Sakai & Masayuki Taniguchi & Shigenobu Miura & Hitomi Ohara & Toru Matsumoto & Yoshihito Shirai, 2003. "Making Plastics from Garbage," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 7(3‐4), pages 63-74, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:7:y:2003:i:3-4:p:63-74
    DOI: 10.1162/108819803323059406
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    Cited by:

    1. Yan, Shoubao & Li, Jun & Chen, Xiangsong & Wu, Jingyong & Wang, Pingchao & Ye, Jianfeng & Yao, Jianming, 2011. "Enzymatical hydrolysis of food waste and ethanol production from the hydrolysate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 1259-1265.
    2. Piero Morseletto, 2020. "Restorative and regenerative: Exploring the concepts in the circular economy," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(4), pages 763-773, August.

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