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Plastic Bottle Cap Recycling—Characterization of Recyclate Composition and Opportunities for Design for Circularity

Author

Listed:
  • Markus Gall

    (Institute of Polymeric Materials and Testing, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria)

  • Andrea Schweighuber

    (Institute for Analytical Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria)

  • Wolfgang Buchberger

    (Institute for Analytical Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria)

  • Reinhold W. Lang

    (Institute of Polymeric Materials and Testing, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria)

Abstract

In line with efforts to create a circular economy of plastics, recent EU legislation is strengthening plastic bottle recycling by ambitious separate collection targets and mandatory recycled content obligations. Furthermore, explicit design requirements on the caps of bottles and composite beverage packaging have been introduced. These caps are typically made of polyethylene or polypropylene and often contain additives such as slip agents and anti-statics. Commercially available bottle cap recyclates (BCRs) as well as specifically formulated model compounds were analyzed in terms of composition by means of infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Their composition was found to be heterogeneous due to polyolefin cross-contamination, directly reflecting the diversity of cap materials present in the market. Slip agent legacy additives originating from the initial use phase were found and quantified in both commercial and model cap recyclates. This highlights the opportunity for redesigning plastic bottle caps not only in response to regulatory requirements, but to pursue a more comprehensive strategy of product design for circularity. By including considerations of polymer resin and additive choice in cap manufacturing, more homogeneous waste streams could be derived from plastic bottle cap recycling, enabling recycling into more demanding and valuable applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Markus Gall & Andrea Schweighuber & Wolfgang Buchberger & Reinhold W. Lang, 2020. "Plastic Bottle Cap Recycling—Characterization of Recyclate Composition and Opportunities for Design for Circularity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:24:p:10378-:d:460705
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Lazarevic & Emmanuelle Aoustin & Nicolas Buclet & Nils Brandt, 2010. "Plastic Waste Management in the context of a European recycling society," Post-Print halshs-00584531, HAL.
    2. Isabella Gambino & Francesco Bagordo & Benedetta Coluccia & Tiziana Grassi & Giovanni De Filippis & Prisco Piscitelli & Biagio Galante & Federica De Leo, 2020. "PET-Bottled Water Consumption in View of a Circular Economy: The Case Study of Salento (South Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-13, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Philippe Nimmegeers & Alexej Parchomenko & Paul De Meulenaere & Dagmar R. D’hooge & Paul H. M. Van Steenberge & Helmut Rechberger & Pieter Billen, 2021. "Extending Multilevel Statistical Entropy Analysis towards Plastic Recyclability Prediction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Wisam Abu Jadayil & Mohamed Rafik Noor Mohamed Qureshi & Rahaf Ajaj & Eman Aqil & Ghada Shawahin & Hamna Anver & Safa Aljeawi, 2022. "An Empirical Investigation on Plastic Waste Issues and Plastic Disposal Strategies to Protect the Environment: A UAE Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-22, December.
    3. Pablo Resende Oliveira & Sebastian Kilchert & Michael May & Tulio Hallak Panzera & Fabrizio Scarpa & Stefan Hiermaier, 2022. "Environmental assessment of discarded plastic caps as a honeycomb core: An eco‐mechanical perspective," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(2), pages 643-654, April.

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