Mechanical Recycling of Packaging Plastics: A Review

Zoé O. G. Schyns; Michael P. Shaver

doi:10.1002/marc.202000415

journal article Open Access Sep 30, 2020

Mechanical Recycling of Packaging Plastics: A Review

Zoé O. G. Schyns

Michael P. Shaver

Macromolecular Rapid Communications Vol. 42 No. 3 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/marc.202000415

Abstract

AbstractThe current global plastics economy is highly linear, with the exceptional performance and low carbon footprint of polymeric materials at odds with dramatic increases in plastic waste. Transitioning to a circular economy that retains plastic in its highest value condition is essential to reduce environmental impacts, promoting reduction, reuse, and recycling. Mechanical recycling is an essential tool in an environmentally and economically sustainable economy of plastics, but current mechanical recycling processes are limited by cost, degradation of mechanical properties, and inconsistent quality products. This review covers the current methods and challenges for the mechanical recycling of the five main packaging plastics: poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and poly(vinyl chloride) through the lens of a circular economy. Their reprocessing induced degradation mechanisms are introduced and strategies to improve their recycling are discussed. Additionally, this review briefly examines approaches to improve polymer blending in mixed plastic waste streams and applications of lower quality recyclate.

Topics

No keywords indexed for this article. Browse by subject →

References

242

[1]

T.Hundertmark M.Mayer C.McNally T.Jan Simons C.Witte How plastics waste recycling could transform the chemical industry https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/chemicals/our‐insights/how‐plastics‐waste‐recycling‐could‐transform‐the‐chemical‐industry(accessed: March 2020).

[2]

PlasticsEurope.Plastics – the Facts https://www.plasticseurope.org/application/files/9715/7129/9584/FINAL_web_version_Plastics_the_facts2019_14102019.pdf(accessed: October 2019)

[3]

Plastic rain in protected areas of the United States

Janice Brahney, Margaret Hallerud, Eric Heim et al.

Science 10.1126/science.aaz5819

[4]

European Parliament and Council Off. J. Eur. Union (2008)

[5]

CEWEP.Landfill taxes and bans overview http://www.cewep.eu/wp‐content/uploads/2017/12/Landfill‐taxes‐and‐bans‐overview.pdf(accessed: April 2020).

[6]

European Council Conclusions from Special Meeting of the European Council (17 18 19 20 amd 21 July 2020) https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/45109/210720‐euco‐final‐conclusions‐en.pdf(accessed: September 2020).

[7]

GOVUK.Landfill Tax rates https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/excise‐notice‐lft1‐a‐general‐guide‐to‐landfill‐tax/excise‐notice‐lft1‐a‐general‐guide‐to‐landfill‐tax(accessed: April 2020).

[8]

H.Thomson K.Illingworth H.McCoach M.Jefferson S.Morgan Based on Analysis of UK Grocery Packaging Data from – PlasticFlow 2025: Plastic Packaging Flow Data Report https://wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/PlasticFlow%202025%20Plastic%20Packaging%20Flow%20Data%20Report_0.pdf(accessed: April 2020).

[9]

A.Chruszcz S.Reeve WRAP Composition of Plastic Waste Collected via Kerbside https://wrap.org.uk/content/composition‐plastic‐waste‐collected‐kerbside(accessed: April 2020).

[10]

10.1016/s0142-9418(00)00068-4

[11]

Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions

Julian Kirchherr, Denise Reike, Marko Hekkert

Resources, Conservation and Recycling 10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.09.005

[12]

10.1016/j.wasman.2019.12.045

[13]

10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.04.028

[14]

COVID-19 Pandemic Repercussions on the Use and Management of Plastics

Joana C. Prata, Ana L.P. Silva, Tony R. Walker et al.

Environmental Science & Technology 10.1021/acs.est.0c02178

[15]

H.Holmes M. P.Shaver How Coronavirus Reveals Our Unbreakable Bond with Single Use Plastic https://discoversociety.org/2020/03/27/how‐coronavirus‐reveals‐our‐unbreakable‐bond‐with‐single‐use‐plastic/(accessed: September 2020).

[16]

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140565

[17]

Silva A. L. P. Chem. Eng. J. (2021)

[18]

Ellen MacArthur Foundation Towards a Circular Economy: Business Rationale for an Accelerated Transition https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/downloads/TCE_Ellen‐MacArthur‐Foundation_9‐Dec‐2015.pdf(accessed: December 2020)

[19]

Plastics recycling: challenges and opportunities

Jefferson Hopewell, Robert Dvorak, Edward Kosior

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B:... 10.1098/rstb.2008.0311

[20]

A review on pyrolysis of plastic wastes

Shafferina Dayana Anuar Sharuddin, Faisal Abnisa, Wan Mohd Ashri Wan Daud et al.

Energy Conversion and Management 10.1016/j.enconman.2016.02.037

[21]

10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2017.11.001

[22]

ASTM D7209‐06 Standard Guide for Waste Reduction Resource Recovery and Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products (Withdrawn 2015) ASTM International 2006.

[23]

ISO 15270 2008 Plastics – Guidelines for the recovery and recycling of plastics waste ISO 2008.

[24]

10.1039/c7cs00149e

[25]

10.1021/acs.est.7b04051

[26]

10.1007/s10924-007-0066-3

[27]

Beyond Mechanical Recycling: Giving New Life to Plastic Waste

Ina Vollmer, Michael J. F. Jenks, Mark C. P. Roelands et al.

Angewandte Chemie International Edition 10.1002/anie.201915651

[28]

10.1039/c7gc01496a

[29]

10.1007/s00253-019-09717-y

[30]

10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c01638

[31]

Bano K. Curr. Pharm. Biotechnol. (2017)

[32]

10.1126/science.aaf8305

[33]

K.Feichtinger M.Hackl G.Wendelin US 9 808 963 B2 2017.

[34]

10.1016/j.ejps.2015.08.008

[35]

10.1063/1.5016746

[36]

10.1063/1.5016744

[37]

J. C.Hoagland D. P.Bourier US 6 117 338 2000. 10.1017/cbo9781316152461.007

[38]

10.1002/pen.25088

[39]

P.Tersi W.Briegel D.Cermak M.Schulze US 5 456 828 1995.

[40]

Dynisco.An Introduction to Single Screw Extrusion2017https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=13566(accessed: March 2020).

[41]

Shrivastava A. (2018) 10.1016/b978-0-323-39500-7.00005-8

[42]

Stevenson J. F. (1989) 10.1016/b978-0-08-096701-1.00213-5

[43]

10.1016/b978-0-12-373660-4.00015-6

[44]

10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2015.01.012

[45]

10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2012.04.013

[46]

10.1039/c0ob00596g

[47]

10.1016/0141-3910(94)90187-2

[48]

10.1021/ma100067x

[49]

Chemical recycling of plastic wastes made from polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE) and polypropylene (PP)

D.S. Achilias, C. Roupakias, P. Megalokonomos et al.

Journal of Hazardous Materials 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.06.076

[50]

10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2018.12.028

Showing 50 of 242 references

Cited By

1,353

Upcycled terephthalic acid–enhanced chain scission and epoxy-based chain extension of PET

Samuel Muobom Saabome, Bernard Jomari Razote · 2026

Sustainable Materials and Technolog...

Upcycling of Mixed Polyethylene Terephthalate/Polypropylene Plastic Waste Into High‐Value Aromatics Through Catalytic Copyrolysis Over Zeolites

Liang Li, Anqing Zheng · 2026

ChemSusChem

Open‐ and Closed‐Loop Recycling of Polyesters and Post‐Consumer Waste Under Industrially Relevant Conditions Using Bisguanidine Organocatalysts

Lisa Burkart, Alisa Hahn · 2026

ChemSusChem

Controlled hot pressing for functional upcycling of waste polyethylene materials

Dong CHENG, Wen-Jie Yan · 2026

Scientific Reports

Performance evaluation of pyro-diesel derived from co-pyrolysis of fresh palm fruit bunches and waste plastics in an agricultural power generator

Nathawat Unsomsri, Khanes Chunyok · 2026

Case Studies in Thermal Engineering

Properties of Simulated Plastic Waste Mixtures in Upcycling Processes: An Experimental Evaluation

Annika Voelp, Ali Bumajdad · 2025

ACS Omega

Factors influencing consumer perceptions of recycled plastic products: A literature review

Saud H. Sulaimani, Bob Eves · 2025

Cleaner and Responsible Consumption

Exploring the release of microplastics' additives in the human digestive environment by an in vitro dialysis approach using simulated fluids

Joel Sánchez-Piñero, Estefanía Concha-Graña · 2025

Science of The Total Environment

The role of plastic chemical recycling processes in a circular economy context

Qi Liu, Sergio Martinez-Villarreal · 2024

Chemical Engineering Journal

Bio-upcycling of plastic waste: a sustainable innovative approach for circular economy

Sadia Mehmood Satti, Muzna Hashmi · 2024

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution

Chemical recycling of post-consumer polyester wastes using a tertiary amine organocatalyst

Shaoqu Xie, Caiqi Wang · 2024

Cell Reports Physical Science

Designing a circular carbon and plastics economy for a sustainable future

Fernando Vidal, Eva R. van der Marel · 2024

Nature

A comprehensive review on utilization of waste materials in wood plastic composite

Ros Azlinawati Ramli · 2024

Materials Today Sustainability

Untangling the chemical complexity of plastics to improve life cycle outcomes

Kara Lavender Law, Margaret J. Sobkowicz · 2024

Nature Reviews Materials

Effect of fly ash on mechanical properties and microstructural behaviour of injected moulded recycled polypropylene composites

Nur Hazzarita Mohd Nasir, Fathoni Usman · 2024

Construction and Building Materials

An overview of gamma radiation shielding: Enhancements through polymer-lead (Pb) composite materials

Rifqah Nurul Ihsani, Paulus Lobo Gareso · 2024

Radiation Physics and Chemistry

Correlating Near-Infrared Spectra to Bulk Properties in Polyolefins

Bradley P. Sutliff, Shailja Goyal · 2024

Macromolecules

Chemo‐Enzymatic Depolymerization of Functionalized Low‐Molecular‐Weight Polyethylene

Thomas Oiffer, Friedemann Leipold · 2024

Angewandte Chemie International Edi...

Impacts associated with the plastic polymers polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polybutadiene across their life cycle: A review

Bhedita J. Seewoo, Enoch V.S. Wong · 2024

Heliyon

Recycle and Reuse to Reduce Plastic Waste - A Perspective Study Comparing Petro- and Bioplastics

Farah Mneimneh, Nour Haddad · 2024

Circular Economy and Sustainability

Metrics

1,353

Citations

242

References

Details

Published: Sep 30, 2020
Vol/Issue: 42(3)
License: View

Authors

Z

Zoé O. G. Schyns

Department of Materials The University of Manchester Manchester M1 7DN UK

M

Michael P. Shaver

Department of Materials The University of Manchester Manchester M1 7DN UK

Funding

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Award: EP/S025200/1

University of Manchester

Cite This Article

Zoé O. G. Schyns, Michael P. Shaver (2020). Mechanical Recycling of Packaging Plastics: A Review. Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 42(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202000415

Mechanical Recycling of Packaging Plastics: A Review

You May Also Like