TY - JOUR
T1 - Review and recommendations for sustainable pathways of recycling commodity plastic waste across different economic regions
AU - Darko, Charles
AU - Yung, Plisylia Wong Shi
AU - Chen, Anlong
AU - Acquaye, Adolf
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s)
PY - 2023/12
Y1 - 2023/12
N2 - Commodity plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are some of the common plastic wastes found in municipal wastes. Lack of technology, resources, coherent programs, policies, mismanagement and incomplete processing of these plastics, results in these plastics mostly ending up in landfills. Adopting a qualitative research approach, the paper reviewed PE, PP and PET recycling waste management processes from selected developed and developing countries. It was found that chemical recycling in terms of catalytic cracking followed by pyrolysis technologies are more suitable for producing higher liquid oils whiles gasification improves fuel gas yield. Given that mechanical recycling requires less capital and resources, it is a more suitable waste management option for plastic products in developing countries. In cases where there are complex separation issues, incineration for energy recovery is appropriate but it should be used with end-of-pipe treatment solutions to mitigate against the environmental impact of incineration. The paper further highlights various opportunities and challenges involved with PE, PP and PET plastic waste treatment pathway, the appropriate yields obtained for each technique and where adaptation can be made.
AB - Commodity plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are some of the common plastic wastes found in municipal wastes. Lack of technology, resources, coherent programs, policies, mismanagement and incomplete processing of these plastics, results in these plastics mostly ending up in landfills. Adopting a qualitative research approach, the paper reviewed PE, PP and PET recycling waste management processes from selected developed and developing countries. It was found that chemical recycling in terms of catalytic cracking followed by pyrolysis technologies are more suitable for producing higher liquid oils whiles gasification improves fuel gas yield. Given that mechanical recycling requires less capital and resources, it is a more suitable waste management option for plastic products in developing countries. In cases where there are complex separation issues, incineration for energy recovery is appropriate but it should be used with end-of-pipe treatment solutions to mitigate against the environmental impact of incineration. The paper further highlights various opportunities and challenges involved with PE, PP and PET plastic waste treatment pathway, the appropriate yields obtained for each technique and where adaptation can be made.
KW - Catalytic cracking
KW - Country differences
KW - Gasification
KW - Incineration
KW - Mechanical recycling
KW - Plastic recycling
KW - Pyrolysis
KW - Waste management
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85168804145&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.resenv.2023.100134
DO - 10.1016/j.resenv.2023.100134
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85168804145
VL - 14
JO - Resources, Environment and Sustainability
JF - Resources, Environment and Sustainability
M1 - 100134
ER -