IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v14y2021i21p7306-d671783.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Polyolefins and Polyethylene Terephthalate Package Wastes: Recycling and Use in Composites

Author

Listed:
  • Hannah Jones

    (Institute for Materials and Processes, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Sanderson Building, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh EH9-3FB, UK)

  • Florence Saffar

    (DMAS, ONERA, Université Paris-Saclay, F-92322 Châtillon, France)

  • Vasileios Koutsos

    (Institute for Materials and Processes, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Sanderson Building, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh EH9-3FB, UK)

  • Dipa Ray

    (Institute for Materials and Processes, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Sanderson Building, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh EH9-3FB, UK)

Abstract

Plastics are versatile materials used in a variety of sectors that have seen a rapid increase in their global production. Millions of tonnes of plastic wastes are generated each year, which puts pressure on plastic waste management methods to prevent their accumulation within the environment. Recycling is an attractive disposal method and aids the initiative of a circular plastic economy, but recycling still has challenges to overcome. This review starts with an overview of the current European recycling strategies for solid plastic waste and the challenges faced. Emphasis lies on the recycling of polyolefins (POs) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which are found in plastic packaging, as packaging contributes a signification proportion to solid plastic wastes. Both sections, the recycling of POs and PET, discuss the sources of wastes, chemical and mechanical recycling, effects of recycling on the material properties, strategies to improve the performance of recycled POs and PET, and finally the applications of recycled POs and PET. The review concludes with a discussion of the future potential and opportunities of recycled POs and PET.

Suggested Citation

  • Hannah Jones & Florence Saffar & Vasileios Koutsos & Dipa Ray, 2021. "Polyolefins and Polyethylene Terephthalate Package Wastes: Recycling and Use in Composites," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-43, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:21:p:7306-:d:671783
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/21/7306/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/21/7306/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Park, Ki-Bum & Jeong, Yong-Seong & Guzelciftci, Begum & Kim, Joo-Sik, 2019. "Characteristics of a new type continuous two-stage pyrolysis of waste polyethylene," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 343-351.
    2. Altaf Hussain Kanhar & Shaoqing Chen & Fei Wang, 2020. "Incineration Fly Ash and Its Treatment to Possible Utilization: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-35, December.
    3. Singh, P. & Déparrois, N. & Burra, K.G. & Bhattacharya, S. & Gupta, A.K., 2019. "Energy recovery from cross-linked polyethylene wastes using pyrolysis and CO2 assisted gasification," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    4. Welle, Frank, 2011. "Twenty years of PET bottle to bottle recycling—An overview," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(11), pages 865-875.
    5. Lopez, Gartzen & Artetxe, Maite & Amutio, Maider & Bilbao, Javier & Olazar, Martin, 2017. "Thermochemical routes for the valorization of waste polyolefinic plastics to produce fuels and chemicals. A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 346-368.
    6. Bujak, Janusz Wojciech, 2015. "Thermal utilization (treatment) of plastic waste," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P2), pages 1468-1477.
    7. Makarichi, Luke & Jutidamrongphan, Warangkana & Techato, Kua-anan, 2018. "The evolution of waste-to-energy incineration: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 812-821.
    8. Luijsterburg, Benny & Goossens, Han, 2014. "Assessment of plastic packaging waste: Material origin, methods, properties," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 88-97.
    9. Winans, K. & Kendall, A. & Deng, H., 2017. "The history and current applications of the circular economy concept," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P1), pages 825-833.
    10. V. Tournier & C. M. Topham & A. Gilles & B. David & C. Folgoas & E. Moya-Leclair & E. Kamionka & M.-L. Desrousseaux & H. Texier & S. Gavalda & M. Cot & E. Guémard & M. Dalibey & J. Nomme & G. Cioci & , 2020. "An engineered PET depolymerase to break down and recycle plastic bottles," Nature, Nature, vol. 580(7802), pages 216-219, April.
    11. Joe Yates & Megan Deeney & Howard White & Edward Joy & Sofia Kalamatianou & Suneetha Kadiyala, 2019. "PROTOCOL: Plastics in the food system: Human health, economic and environmental impacts. A scoping review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(1-2), June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Huang, Jijiang & Veksha, Andrei & Chan, Wei Ping & Giannis, Apostolos & Lisak, Grzegorz, 2022. "Chemical recycling of plastic waste for sustainable material management: A prospective review on catalysts and processes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    2. Park, Ki-Bum & Jeong, Yong-Seong & Kim, Joo-Sik, 2019. "Activator-assisted pyrolysis of polypropylene," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C), pages 1-1.
    3. Park, Ki-Bum & Jeong, Yong-Seong & Guzelciftci, Begum & Kim, Joo-Sik, 2020. "Two-stage pyrolysis of polystyrene: Pyrolysis oil as a source of fuels or benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    4. Jeong, Yong-Seong & Park, Ki-Bum & Kim, Joo-Sik, 2022. "Kinetics and characteristics of activator-assisted pyrolysis of municipal waste plastic and chlorine removal using hot filter filled with absorbents," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PB).
    5. John A. Mathews, 2020. "Schumpeterian economic dynamics of greening: propagation of green eco-platforms," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 30(4), pages 929-948, September.
    6. Stančin, H. & Mikulčić, H. & Wang, X. & Duić, N., 2020. "A review on alternative fuels in future energy system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    7. Jacopo Zotti & Andrea Bigano, 2019. "Write circular economy, read economy’s circularity. How to avoid going in circles," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 36(2), pages 629-652, July.
    8. Vlachokostas, Ch. & Michailidou, A.V. & Achillas, Ch., 2021. "Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis towards promoting Waste-to-Energy Management Strategies: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    9. Di Foggia, Giacomo & Beccarello, Massimo, 2021. "Drivers of municipal solid waste management cost based on cost models inherent to sorted and unsorted waste," SocArXiv s6q3m, Center for Open Science.
    10. Chhabra, Vibhuti & Bambery, Keith & Bhattacharya, Sankar & Shastri, Yogendra, 2020. "Thermal and in situ infrared analysis to characterise the slow pyrolysis of mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) and its components," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 388-401.
    11. Di Foggia, Giacomo & Beccarello, Massimo, 2021. "Designing waste management systems to meet circular economy goals: The Italian case," MPRA Paper 105959, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Zhao, Xinyue & Chen, Heng & Zheng, Qiwei & Liu, Jun & Pan, Peiyuan & Xu, Gang & Zhao, Qinxin & Jiang, Xue, 2023. "Thermo-economic analysis of a novel hydrogen production system using medical waste and biogas with zero carbon emission," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    13. Rita Lopes & Rui Santos & Nuno Videira & Paula Antunes, 2021. "Co-creating a Vision and Roadmap for Circular Economy in the Food and Beverages Packaging Sector," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(3), pages 873-893, November.
    14. Ye, Lian & Zhang, Jianliang & Wang, Guangwei & Wang, Chen & Mao, Xiaoming & Ning, Xiaojun & Zhang, Nan & Teng, Haipeng & Li, Jinhua & Wang, Chuan, 2023. "Feasibility analysis of plastic and biomass hydrochar for blast furnace injection," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PD).
    15. D. D’Amato, 2021. "Sustainability Narratives as Transformative Solution Pathways: Zooming in on the Circular Economy," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 231-242, June.
    16. Gui Zhao & Jiayi Lin & Mengying Lu & Lina Li & Pengtao Xu & Xi Liu & Liwei Chen, 2024. "Potential cycling boosts the electrochemical conversion of polyethylene terephthalate-derived alcohol into valuable chemicals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    17. Yuantao Peng & Jie Yang & Chenqiang Deng & Jin Deng & Li Shen & Yao Fu, 2023. "Acetolysis of waste polyethylene terephthalate for upcycling and life-cycle assessment study," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    18. Amit Kumar Jaglan & Venkata Ravi Sankar Cheela & Mansi Vinaik & Brajesh Dubey, 2022. "Environmental Impact Evaluation of University Integrated Waste Management System in India Using Life Cycle Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-18, July.
    19. Inga Uvarova & Dzintra Atstaja & Viola Korpa, 2020. "Challenges of the introduction of circular business models within rural SMEs of EU," International Journal of Economic Sciences, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences, vol. 9(2), pages 128-149, December.
    20. Danfeng Zhang & Xin Wang & Liang Zhao & Huaqing Xie & Chen Guo & Feizhou Qian & Hui Dong & Yun Hu, 2023. "Numerical Investigation on Heat Transfer and Flow Resistance Characteristics of Superheater in Hydrocracking Heat Recovery Steam Generator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-15, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:21:p:7306-:d:671783. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.