Approaches for Management and Valorization of Non-Homogeneous, Non-Recyclable Plastic Waste

Stefano Gazzotti, Beatrice De Felice, Marco Aldo Ortenzi and Marco Parolini ()
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Stefano Gazzotti: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
Beatrice De Felice: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
Marco Aldo Ortenzi: Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milan, Italy
Marco Parolini: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-17

Abstract: The environmental accumulation of plastic wastes has become one of the most discussed topics in the scientific community. The development of new strategies to tackle this issue is of crucial importance, and different approaches are being investigated to effectively reduce plastic waste generated by improper or inefficient disposal. In addition to the efforts addressing the development of biodegradable plastics, the research is currently focused on the development of innovative recycling approaches. Indeed, although most plastic materials are potentially recyclable, only 15% of the worldwide plastic waste is currently recycled, while the remaining 85% is usually incinerated to recover thermal energy or landfilled. The hurdles to efficient recycling come from improper management of end-of-life plastic goods. Moreover, the highly heterogeneous nature and versatility of plastic and polymeric materials have led to the development of multilayered materials, composites, blends and many other different species, whose management and/or reprocessing to yield high-value products is extremely challenging. Thus, although these materials are extremely valuable from an industrial point of view, they add a high degree of complexity to the recycling process because each one of them is different from the other, but they cannot be separated efficiently. The aim of the present review is to return a comprehensive overview of environmental and management issues related to the complex and heterogeneous mixture of plastic waste that is generated at the end of the sorting procedures in Italian plastic recycling plants, the so-called ‘Plasmix’. This review lists the difficulties and limitations related to the management of non-recyclable Plasmix and highlights the strategies for the proper, sustainable and valuable use of this plastic waste.

Keywords: plastic waste; recycling; non-recyclable plastics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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