Chemical testing of mechanically recycled polyethylene terephthalate for food packaging in the European Union

Biodegradation and Carbon Resource Recovery of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) by Mealworms: Removal Efficiency, Depolymerization Pattern, and Microplastic Residue

“…On the other hand, the C e value was limited (∼3%) in all frass samples (Figure a), which were 1.9 ± 0.2, 2.0 ± 0.0, 2.3 ± 0.1, 2.4 ± 0.1, 2.6 ± 0.0, 2.8 ± 0.1, and 3.1 ± 0.2% for the mealworms fed on bran, PBAT–bran mixture (the PBAT content of 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80%), and 100% PBAT diets, respectively (Table S7), suggesting that more lipophilic products were produced by PBAT digestion and biodegradation. , In this research, we did not analyze the polar and nonpolar degradation compounds in the frass residue derived from the PBAT-fed mealworms via GC-metabolomics. Tsochatzis et al identified fatty acids, amides, long-chain hydrocarbons, and a relatively low total amount of styrene and PS oligomers (dimers, trimers) in the intestine tissue and frass of mealworms after PS biodegradation by metabolic profiling. ,, The PBAT polymer belongs to the aromatic–aliphatic co-polyester family and contains benzene rings and ester bonds within its polymer structure, which might be depolymerized and degraded into similar degradation substances and intermediates. Follow-up research focusing on the metabolome should help determine the degradation products derived from polymers via GC-metabolomics and other technical methods.…”

“…For decades, the accumulation of major persistent plastics has posed a threat to both the waste management industry and the natural environment. − Researchers have been developing innovative and applicable biodegradable plastics that are compatible with the environment. − As alternatives to major petro-derived plastics, these biodegradable polymers are typically synthesized from biological starting materials (e.g., starch, lactic acid, polysaccharides, etc.) and petroleum derivatives, or produced by natural microbiological systems (e.g., plants, bacteria, fungi, etc.…”

Current Prospects for Plastic Waste Treatment

“…Plastic waste must be subjected to a series of steps (washing, grinding, density separation, sensors-driven exclusion) to eliminate further contaminants (textiles, food, glass, other polymers). The sorting step is crucial to reduce contaminants and ensure that the contaminant threshold is not reached [ 193 ]. Increased recycling rates are a proposed solution to the current health and environmental crisis that is caused by the massive overproduction of plastics.…”

Polystyrene-Free Chain Extenders for Recycled Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

“…Chemical recycling involves the conversion of rPET into its original small molecule or oligomer feedstocks. 7 The chemicals employed for the chemical recycling of rPET include water, methanol, and ethylene glycol. However, the current technologies used for the chemical recycling of rPET have high energy costs associated with the depolymerization and purification of the products that are formed as a result of rPET depolymerization along with the use of chemicals/solvents that can contribute to environmental issues.…”

“…Chemical and mechanical recycling are currently used as end-of-life solutions for rPET. Chemical recycling involves the conversion of rPET into its original small molecule or oligomer feedstocks . The chemicals employed for the chemical recycling of rPET include water, methanol, and ethylene glycol.…”