The Management of Polymer and Biodegradable Composite Waste in Relation to Petroleum-Based Thermoplastic Polymer Waste—In Terms of Energy Consumption and Processability

Abstract

The article presents a comparative analysis of the flow and utilisation of biodegradable polymer waste in relation to the waste of petroleum-based thermoplastic polymers. It compares energy expenditures and the costs of the reutilisation of both types of plastics in industrial applications. The performed studies and an analysis of the yielded results enabled the acquisition of real data involving the subject of managing petroleum-based plastic waste after the end of its life cycle, as well as biodegradable plastic waste, over the recent years, which is the main purpose of the study. So far, this subject has not been analysed very frequently, and, considering climate change, the predatory economy and the growing population of our planet, it is becoming an important topic, within the scope of which it is necessary to develop a new approach and new solutions regarding legal regulations and social awareness, as well as the technological possibilities of their implementation. The authors’ own research will indicate factual results related to managing various types of waste, based on the example of data acquired from a company involved in the retreatment of plastics and give answers to bothering questions such as: Is there an impact of retreatment on technological indicators defined by means of the mass flow rate? Is the retreatment of biodegradable plastics justified in terms of economy, energy and ecology? Is the retreatment of biodegradable plastics efficient?

Recent Advances in Halal Bioactive Materials for Intelligent Food Packaging Indicator

“…Bio-based polymers are derived from renewable sources such as starch, cellulose, chitosan, gelatine, poly (lactic acid), polyhydroxybutyrate, polycaprolactone, and polybutylene succinate [ 25 ], while biodegradable polymers are either derived from renewable sources or from fossil-based or petrochemical-based polymers [ 26 ]. Thus, these two polymer groups have differences in which biodegradable polymers will be completely degraded when exposed to aerobic and anaerobic processes, microorganisms, and water, whereas bio-based polymers can be either biodegradable or not biodegradable [ 27 ].…”

“… Material coordinate system of bio-based (green) and fossil-based polymers (pink), biodegradable polymer (blue); PE: polyethylene; PA: polyamide; PP: polypropylene; PET: poly(ethylene terephthalate); PLA: polylactic acid; PHA: polyhydroxyalkanoate; PHB: polyhydroxy butyrate; TPS: thermoplastic starch; EVOH: ethylene vinyl alcohol; PVC: polyvinyl chloride; PS: polystyrene; PTT: poly trimethylene terephthalate; PBAT: polybutylene adipate terephthalate; PVA: polyvinyl alcohol; PBS: polybutylene succinate; PCL: polycaprolactone, reproduced from [ 26 ]. …”

Evaluation of the use of carbon nanotubes recovered from a biodegradation process in the production of new biodegradable polymer nanocomposites

“…Despite being still little explored, recycling biopolymers has been proven to be economically, ecologically, and technologically advantageous. Some biodegradable polymers may present more viable recycling steps than petroleum-based polymers, making their use even more attractive [8]. However, it is noted that recycling is more beneficial for biodegradable polymers with thickness above 1 mm, and when the polymer is thinner, it is more profitable to recover it (proper collection) before it is disposed of by composting rather than recycling because thinner polymers degrade more easily [8,9].…”

“…Some biodegradable polymers may present more viable recycling steps than petroleum-based polymers, making their use even more attractive [8]. However, it is noted that recycling is more beneficial for biodegradable polymers with thickness above 1 mm, and when the polymer is thinner, it is more profitable to recover it (proper collection) before it is disposed of by composting rather than recycling because thinner polymers degrade more easily [8,9]. Although numerous works that reported on recovery by recycling, biodegradation test, or even toxicity (such as ecotoxicity with plants) of biodegradable polymers are observed [1,4,[10][11][12], the composites or nanocomposites produced with these polymers have been very little considered [13,14].…”