A Review of Sorting and Separating Technologies Suitable for Compostable and Biodegradable Plastic Packaging

Taneepanichskul, Nutcha; Purkiss, Danielle; Miodownik, Mark

doi:10.3389/frsus.2022.901885

Cited by 19 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 72 publications

(90 reference statements)

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“…Given the variations in sorting technologies (Taneepanichskul et al, 2022) [30], the mention of the choice of technology within the traceability model could guide the assessment of contamination levels in specific material streams, functioning as an indicator of confidence.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevating Recycling Standards: Global Requirements for Plastic Traceability and Quality Testing

Gazeau,

Minunno,

Zaman

et al. 2024

Sustainability

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Globally, we produced 489 million tonnes of plastic in 2023 and we recycled only 8.17%. This study navigates the landscape of recycling practices, highlighting the imperative to reevaluate and upgrade industry-standard protocols. The central focus of this study is on integrating more robust traceability criteria and advanced quality testing methodologies to improve recycled plastics with intrinsic value, particularly in anticipation of future market applications. The investigation examines the prevailing industry standard traceability and quality framework. It then assesses the applicability of those standards using technical datasheets for recycled high-density polyethylene resin grades. This study proposes a paradigm shift toward a more sophisticated analytical approach. This comprehensive framework aims to transcend traditional quality and traceability evaluation. This paper employs a mixed methodological approach, including a thematic analysis of relevant industry standard regulations and an in-depth literature review, to address the need for an operational framework for recycling quality. This study highlights that recycling quality depends on technical attributes determining functionality and application suitability. While some properties are measured, the conventional framework does not address the degradation level of recycled plastic. This study concludes with broader considerations, emphasising the need for a traceability model to disclose material history and composition. This study advocates an industry-wide upgrade in recycling standards, prioritising traceability and quality testing. The proposed enhancements in testing grids and the improved understanding of recycling quality collectively contribute to a holistic framework, unlocking the intrinsic value of recycled plastics for future market applications.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevating Recycling Standards: Global Requirements for Plastic Traceability and Quality Testing

Gazeau,

Minunno,

Zaman

et al. 2024

Sustainability

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“…gravity and triboelectric‐based sorting) could be suitable. Although bioplastics such as PLA or PCL can be separated from polyolefins by gravity‐based sorting, this process is slow; its efficiency depends on density differences between polymers and requires a mechanical pre‐treatment of the plastics before sorting (Taneepanichskul et al., 2022 ). However, near‐infrared spectroscopy has recently been employed for accurately identifying and characterising mixed polymer blends without any material pre‐treatment (Gundupalli et al., 2017 ).…”

Section: Bioplastic Recycling: a Pending Topic To Be Addressedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Spectral‐based sorting has been successfully proven for differentiating PLA from other plastics such as PET (Fredi & Dorigato, 2021 ). This technique is highly automatic, and it involves low environmental impact, as well as digital watermarking and tracer‐based sorting; however, its implementation could require high economic cost (Taneepanichskul et al., 2022 ). Altogether, these sorting technologies can be used for improving the sorting effectiveness of mixed recycling collections, including bioplastics.…”

Section: Bioplastic Recycling: a Pending Topic To Be Addressedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can bioplastics always offer a truly sustainable alternative to fossil‐based plastics?

Serrano‐Aguirre,

Prieto

2024

Microbial Biotechnology

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Bioplastics, comprised of bio‐based and/or biodegradable polymers, have the potential to play a crucial role in the transition towards a sustainable circular economy. The use of biodegradable polymers not only leads to reduced greenhouse gas emissions but also might address the problem of plastic waste persisting in the environment, especially when removal is challenging. Nevertheless, biodegradable plastics should not be considered as substitutes for proper waste management practices, given that their biodegradability strongly depends on environmental conditions. Among the challenges hindering the sustainable implementation of bioplastics in the market, the development of effective downstream recycling routes is imperative, given the increasing production volumes of these materials. Here, we discuss about the most advisable end‐of‐life scenarios for bioplastics. Various recycling strategies, including mechanical, chemical or biological (both enzymatic and microbial) approaches, should be considered. Employing enzymes as biocatalysts emerges as a more selective and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical recycling, allowing the production of new bioplastics and added value and high‐quality products. Other pending concerns for industrial implementation of bioplastics include misinformation among end users, the lack of a standardised bioplastic labelling, unclear life cycle assessment guidelines and the need for higher financial investments. Although further research and development efforts are essential to foster the sustainable and widespread application of bioplastics, significant strides have already been made in this direction.

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“…To tackle the microplastic issue requires a comprehensive approach that includes better identification and separation of plastic waste from organic materials, optimizing composting processes for the degradation of compostable and biodegradable plastics (Taneepanichskul et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Handling and analyzing such large datasets may pose challenges in terms of storage, processing time, and data management (Taneepanichskul et al, 2022). Moreover, HSI systems typically operate within a specific spectral range, depending on the detectors and filters used.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using hyperspectral imaging to identify and classify large microplastic contamination in industrial composting processes

Taneepanichskul,

Hailes,

Miodownik

2024

Front. Sustain.

Self Cite

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Compostable plastics are used as alternatives to conventional (non-compostable) plastics due to their ability to decompose through industrial composting comingled with food waste. However conventional (non-compostable) plastics sometimes contaminate this industrial composting process resulting in the formation of microplastics in the end compost. Therefore, it is crucial to effectively identify the types of plastics entering industrial composters to improve composting rates and enhance compost quality. In this study, we applied Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) with various pre-processing techniques in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) region to develop an efficient model for identifying and classifying plastics and large microplastics during the industrial composting process. The materials used in the experimental analysis included compostable plastics such as PLA and PBAT, and conventional (non-compostable) plastics including PP, PET, and LDPE. Chemometric techniques, namely Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), was applied to develop a classification model. The Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) model effectively distinguished between virgin PP, PET, PBAT, PLA, and PHA plastics and soil-contaminated plastics measuring larger than 20 mm × 20 mm, achieving accuracy of 100%. Furthermore, it demonstrated a 90% accuracy rate in discriminating between pristine large microplastics and those contaminated with soil. When we tested our model on plastic samples during industrial composting we found that the accuracy of identification depended on parameters such as darkness, size, color, thickness and contamination level. Nevertheless, we achieved 85% for plastics and large microplastics detected within compost.

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A Review of Sorting and Separating Technologies Suitable for Compostable and Biodegradable Plastic Packaging

Cited by 19 publications

References 72 publications

Elevating Recycling Standards: Global Requirements for Plastic Traceability and Quality Testing

Elevating Recycling Standards: Global Requirements for Plastic Traceability and Quality Testing

Can bioplastics always offer a truly sustainable alternative to fossil‐based plastics?

Using hyperspectral imaging to identify and classify large microplastic contamination in industrial composting processes

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