Quantifying the Separation Complexity of Mixed Plastic Waste Streams with Statistical Entropy: A Plastic Packaging Waste Case Study in Belgium

Author(s):  
Philippe Nimmegeers ◽  
Pieter Billen
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3553
Author(s):  
Philippe Nimmegeers ◽  
Alexej Parchomenko ◽  
Paul De Meulenaere ◽  
Dagmar R. D’hooge ◽  
Paul H. M. Van Steenberge ◽  
...  

Multilevel statistical entropy analysis (SEA) is a method that has been recently proposed to evaluate circular economy strategies on the material, component and product levels to identify critical stages of resource and functionality losses. However, the comparison of technological alternatives may be difficult, and equal entropies do not necessarily correspond with equal recyclability. A coupling with energy consumption aspects is strongly recommended but largely lacking. The aim of this paper is to improve the multilevel SEA method to reliably assess the recyclability of plastics. Therefore, the multilevel SEA method is first applied to a conceptual case study of a fictitious bag filled with plastics, and the possibilities and limitations of the method are highlighted. Subsequently, it is proposed to extend the method with the computation of the relative decomposition energies of components and products. Finally, two recyclability metrics are proposed. A plastic waste collection bag filled with plastic bottles is used as a case study to illustrate the potential of the developed extended multilevel SEA method. The proposed extension allows us to estimate the recyclability of plastics. In future work, this method will be refined and other potential extensions will be studied together with applications to real-life plastic products and plastic waste streams.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-126
Author(s):  
Titien Yusnita ◽  
Febri Palupi Muslikhah ◽  
Machyudin Agung Harahap

The problem of waste is always an interesting thing that never runs out to find a solution. One of them is plastic packaging waste that is widely used by the community and cannot be decomposed again by nature. In line with the SDGs issue, Indonesia is the second largest country that disposes of plastic waste in the world after China. This is very dangerous for the natural beauty of Indonesia's vast seas, and destroys a very diverse ecosystem. Existing plastic waste that comes from household waste, it can be used easily and cheaply into Ecobrick. Ecobrick is a term for the result of managing plastic waste into a brick that can be used as useful items such as chairs or tables. This plastic waste management training activity was carried out for housewives in Cibitung Tengah Village, Bogor Regency to find out the use of plastic waste that can be recycled to be used as useful goods. In addition, to provide awareness of the importance of sorting household waste in order to help preserve nature. Keywords: ecobricks, management, household, plastic waste  


2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 826-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Adrados ◽  
I. de Marco ◽  
B.M. Caballero ◽  
A. López ◽  
M.F. Laresgoiti ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. 96-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graça Martinho ◽  
Ana Gomes ◽  
Pedro Santos ◽  
Mário Ramos ◽  
João Cardoso ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-363
Author(s):  
Elena Yu. Panasenkova ◽  
◽  
Olga E. Gruzdeva ◽  
Maria G. Kuznetsova ◽  
◽  
...  

The increased use of disposable plastic consumer packaging, especially in the sanitary and epidemiological conditions of COVID-19, makes it necessary to dispose of the resulting waste. The problem is aggravated by the weak processing of waste, which is stored and not destroyed in nature. In this regard, the purpose of the article is to analyze the problems caused by the consumption and disposal of plastic disposable plastic packaging by retail chains and public catering companies. A brief comparative analysis of the composition and quantities of the plastic waste was carried out. The legal documents governing the waste management in Russia and abroad were studied. The Russian waste recycling market was compared with the foreign ones. Data on polymeric waste(composition, quantity, share in the total mass of waste, cost, and possibility of using as a secondary raw material) were studied. The lack of an effective system for collecting polymer waste and its utilization in Russia was emphasized and compared with Asian, European and American countries. In these countries, there are regulatory documents governing the collection and recycling of plastic products; the production itself is economically attractive. Recommendations aimed to encourage manufacturers to recycle waste were given; options for solving the problem of recycling plastic waste on a legislative, economic and managerial basis were offered.


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