Sustainability of the Technology for Obtaining Thermoplastic Building Materials from Non-Recyclable Mixed Plastic–Paper Packaging Waste

Romeo C. Ciobanu, Cristina Schreiner (), Alina R. Caramitu, Sebastian Aradoaei and Mihaela Aradoaei
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Romeo C. Ciobanu: Department of Electrical Measurements and Materials, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Cristina Schreiner: Department of Electrical Measurements and Materials, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Alina R. Caramitu: National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA Bucharest, 030138 Bucharest, Romania
Sebastian Aradoaei: Department of Electrical Measurements and Materials, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Mihaela Aradoaei: Department of Electrical Measurements and Materials, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University, 700050 Iasi, Romania

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 8, 1-17

Abstract: This paper describes the process used to produce thermoplastic building materials from non-recyclable mixed plastic–paper packaging waste. A first step was dedicated to an innovative and sustainable sterilization technology for non-recyclable waste, based on exposure to microwave radiation in closed air-circulation ovens. Further, composites with different cellulose contents and with two polymer matrices, respectively, were obtained using an injection process, and the samples were subjected to mechanical and physical tests. Due to their superior features, the products based on mixed polypropylene–paper packaging waste may successfully replace the classic polyvinylchloride-based wood–plastic composites. The environmental impact of mixed plastic–paper packaging waste was analyzed, and the sustainability of the thermoplastic technology was demonstrated from an economic and environmental point of view.

Keywords: thermoplastic building materials; mixed plastic–paper packaging; non-recyclable waste; environmental impact indicators; sustainability analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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