Hyperspectral Imaging Applied to WEEE Plastic Recycling: A Methodological Approach

Giuseppe Bonifazi, Ludovica Fiore, Riccardo Gasbarrone, Roberta Palmieri () and Silvia Serranti
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Giuseppe Bonifazi: Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
Ludovica Fiore: Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
Riccardo Gasbarrone: Research and Service Center for Sustainable Technological Innovation, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy
Roberta Palmieri: Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
Silvia Serranti: Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 14, 1-16

Abstract: In this study, the possibility of applying the hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technique in the Short-Wave InfraRed (SWIR) spectral range to characterize polymeric parts coming from Waste from Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is explored. Different case studies are presented referring to the identification of (i) plastic flakes inside a mixed waste stream coming from a recycling plant of monitors and flat screens, (ii) different polymers inside a mixed plastic waste stream coming from End-Of-Life (EOL) electronic device housings and trims, (iii) contaminants (i.e., metals) in a mix of shredded plastic particles coming from a recycling line of electrical cables, and (iv) brominated plastics in mixed streams constituted by small appliances (i.e., cathode-ray tube televisions and monitors). The application of chemometric techniques to hyperspectral data demonstrated the potentiality of this approach for systematic utilization for material characterization, quality control and sorting purposes. The experimental findings highlight the feasibility of employing this method due to its user-friendly nature and quick detection response. To increase and optimize WEEE valorization avoiding disposal in landfills or incineration, recycling-oriented characterization and/or quality control of the processed products are fundamental to identify and quantify substances to be recovered.

Keywords: hyperspectral imaging; waste from electric and electronic equipment; plastic recycling; circular economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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