Title:
Characterization and Treatment of Non-Recyclable Plastics Fraction in Municipal Solid Waste Streams: Biotechnological Approach to Address the Low Plastic Recycling Share
Author(s):
Lopez, M.J., Pierrard, M.-A., Moral, R., Andreu-Rodríguez, J., Barranco, P., Cabello, T., Olmos, V., Palombo Blascetta, N., Barbani, N., Turri, R., Cinelli, P.
Document(s):
Paper
Slide presentation
Abstract:
Poor segregation of waste at source, multilayers in plastic items and inefficient collection are among the barriers to plastic recycling in municipal waste streams. A new approach that uses non-recyclable plastics to feed insects is reported in this work, besides the characterization and possible automatic sorting of that fraction by hyperspectral imaging near-infrared (HSI-NIR). The main plastics that wrongly ends in the separately collected organic fraction were food packaging made of multi-layers (20%) and polyethylene (17%). HSI-NIR does not identify black plastics, while the labels of the packages interfere in the discrimination but not the adhesive residues or food remains. Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) was used as the reference plastic for abiotic and biotic treatment. Long time exposure of LLDPE to UV radiation for 750 hours, caused significant changes in the polymer structure that could facilitate further biological treatment. The wax moth Galleria mellonella is capable to feed on LLDPE. Survival rate for mass rearing larvae was lower in treatments with 100% plastic. This study lays the basis for handling and possible biological treatment by insects of non-recyclable plastics in municipal waste streams.
Keywords:
municipal solid waste (MSW), food packaging, polyethylene, galleria mellonella
Topic:
Sustainable Resources for Decarbonising the Economy
Subtopic:
Municipal and industrial wastes
Event:
30th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1CO.4.2
Pages:
99 - 103
ISBN:
978-88-89407-22-6
Paper DOI:
10.5071/30thEUBCE2022-1CO.4.2
Price:
FREE
