Technology – Status and Role in plastics waste management

Percentage of Plastics Used in Different Fields

Plastics Symbol for easy identification and sorting
Things to think about
• Plastics are not necessarily the waste and energy culprits that
some people think they are. Plastics can be very energy
efficient.

• It takes less energy to manufacture a plastic ketchup bottle than

a glass ketchup bottle. And since plastics are lightweight, it takes
less energy to transport a truckload of plastic ketchup bottles
than a truckload of glass ketchup bottles.

• Up to 40% less fuel is used to transport drinks in plastic bottles

compared to glass bottles
Plastic recycling is a process in which old plastics is turned into another more useful products.
PVC recovery a form of mechanical rather than feedstock or chemical recycling,
 In-house scrap (generated at the source of production) is near-100% recycled already.

 Recycling of used plastics (here PET bottles): few plastic recycling plants make a profit

 Most plastic (apart from in-house/plant waste) is reused in lower-grade applications

• PET: cheap carpets, fleeces
• PE and PP: block board, park benches

Carpet from PET

Park Bench from PE/PP

Furniture from PE/PP

Textile from PET Ballpen from PET
 PET RECYCLING
 Chemical recycling Operational for PET, simple technology mainly limited
to condensation polymers
 The chemical nature of PET permit a broad range of chemical recycling
processor.
 The recycled monomer available has to similar labels that of the virgin.
 It protects the environment by dumping soil.
 The bi products obtained are useful in the production of other chemicals and
solvent.
 It enhances the economy and industrialization of the country.
 The chemical reactions used for decomposition of polymers into monomers
are: Glycolysis, Hydrolysis, Methanolysis
 GLYCOLYSIS OF PET

• Glycolysis of PET is one of the most widely studied processes for PET de-
polymerization. It is the best method for PET recycling compared with other
methods.
• The process is conducted in a wide range of temperatures from 180°C to
240°C, glycolysis is faster and brings about de-polymerization in lower time,
and with an increased amount of glycol a better de-polymerization of PET
was obtained.
• Applications: Resin, coating, laminates, dyes, filament
Comparison of Physical properties
 TYPES OF WASTE INCINERATED
• Three types of waste to which incineration is applied extensively are municipal solid waste,
hazardous waste, and medical waste.
• Municipal Solid Waste

• Medical Wastes
• Medical (biomedical) wastes can have infectious or toxic characteristics that, with
improper disposal, pose public-health concerns

https://www.nap.edu/read/5803/chapter/4
INCINERATION
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF INCINERATION
 PLASTICS WASTE TO FUEL

WHY DO WE NEED TO CONVERT WASTE PLASTICS INTO FUEL ???????

 according to a study performed by environmental protection agency (EPA) appx. Billion of

tons of waste plastics are generated in the world every year.

 Statistics shows that appx. 10% of this plastics is recycled ,25% incineration & 65% are throw
into dumped in landfill.
 incineration is an alternative of landfill but formation of un acceptable emission of gases sulfur
oxide, dioxins and trioxins

 the option of mechanical recycling, lowers the quality level

 The method of converting the polymer present in the waste plastics into fuel
Plastics waste used for road construction

Raw material used for road construction

 Aggregate
 Bitumen(TAR)
 Plastics waste
Cost benefit for using plastics in Road construction
Comparative performance study
Types of materials are put in landfills

 Municipal solid waste landfills

are filled with everything we
throw away, from glass bottles
to grass clippings and other
yard wastes.
 Advantages of landfill

 Burying can produce energy by the conversion of landfill gas i.e. methane & CO2
 Landfill byproducts can be used as direct/ indirect fuel for combustion.
 Easy Monitoring due to specific location  Can be reclaimed and it can be used as parks
or farming land.
 All recyclable materials can be used before closing.
 Organic material can also be separated and used for compost or production of natural
gas.
 Relatively Cheap
 Disadvantages of landfill

• Problems faced when poorly designed or operated.

• Areas surrounding the landfills become heavily polluted.

• Dangerous chemicals can seep into the ground water system.

• Many insects and rodents are attracted to landfills and can result

in dangerous diseases