Mechanical Recycling of Polyethylene Bottle Caps - Characterization of the Various Material States along the Process Value Chain

Description

This study provides a practical demonstration of an open-loop recycling process by creating a pilot product using a defined post-consumer plastic waste stream. The study aims to investigate the possible changes in the material property profile throughout the whole recycling process. Additionally, it also aims to generate the necessary data for the implementation of digital product passport (DPP) as a potential material traceability tool. High density polyethylene (PE-HD) beverage bottle caps were selected as the targeted input waste stream. Two collection methods, informal and formal, were employed in this case study. To ensure a high purity level of materials before entering the recycling process, both input fractions were hand-sorted after the collection step. Subsequently, materials were shredded and re-granulated before being converted into the finished pilot product, which was defined as a frisbee (i.e., flying disc).

Period	29 Mar 2023
Event title	SPE - ANTEC23
Event type	Conference
Location	United StatesShow on map