Exploring New Applications of Municipal Solid Waste

Harrison Appiah, Ezra Bar-Ziv, Jordan L. Klinger and Armando G. McDonald ()
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Harrison Appiah: Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
Ezra Bar-Ziv: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA
Jordan L. Klinger: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID 83415, USA
Armando G. McDonald: Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-18

Abstract: This study aimed to (i) characterize municipal solid waste (MSW) sourced from Utah and Michigan transfer stations and (ii) upcycle, produce, and evaluate composites derived from this MSW. Composition analysis showed that the MSW was composed of a variety of commodity plastics, paper/cardboard, and inorganic materials. Detailed chemical analysis for lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lipids was performed. The plastics identified were mainly polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and poly (ethylene terephthalate). The compoundability of the MSW was assessed by torque rheometry. Composites were prepared by compounding the MSW in an extruder. A composite flexural strength of 29 MPa and a modulus of 1.0 GPa was achieved. The thermal properties of the composites were also determined. The melt flow behavior of the MSW composites at 190 °C was comparable to wood plastic composite formulations.

Keywords: municipal solid waste; characterization; compounding; composites (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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