Mixed Plastics Recycling Technology

Part I. Mixed Plastics Recycling - Characterization, Collection, Costs, MarketsSummary1. Introduction 1.1 National Production and Recycling Levels of Plastics 1.2 Plastics in Municipal Solid Waste 1.3 Mixed Plastics in Post-Consumer Recycling2. Characterization, Generation and Collection of Plastics 2.1 Field Assessment of Plastic Types in Municipal Solid Waste 2.2 Mixed Plastics in Recycling Programs 2.3 Per Capita Generation 2.4 Commercial and Food Sector Sources of Waste Plastic 2.5 Post-Consumer Plastic Weights 2.6 Summary3. Plastics Recycling Programs 3.1 Curbside Collection of Plastics in Illinois 3.2 Film/Rigid Plastics Recycling4. Recycling Costs 4.1 Recycling Program Variables 4.2 Recycling Costs 4.3 Collection Times 4.4 Recycling Truck Costs and Truck Collection Methods for Plastics 4.5 Process Cost 4.6 Cost Estimate Computer Programs5. Markets and Packaging Changes for Recycled Plastics 5.1 Recycled Resin Demand 5.2 Packaging Changes to Increase Recycle Rates 5.3 Markets in Primary Recycling 5.4 Markets in Secondary RecyclingAppendix A: Recycling Vehicle Equipment ManufacturersAppendix B: GlossaryReferencesPart II. Recycling Technology Summary1. Introduction 1.1 Plastics in Municipal Solid Waste 1.2 Plastic Resin Production and Product Manufacture2. Manufacture of Plastic Lumber Using Mixed Plastics 2.1 Plastic Wood Producers 2.2 Plastic Wood Production 2.3 General Guidelines for Plastic Lumber Manufacturing 2,4 Products from Mixed Plastic Lumber 2.5 Enhancement of Plastic Wood Properties 2.6 Wood Fiber-Resin Composite Lumber 2.7 Future of Mixed Plastic Lumber3. Emerging Methods for Processing and Separation of Plastics 3.1 Optical Color Sorting of Glass and PET Containers 3.2 Separation of PVC Bottles from Other Plastic Containers 3.3 Separation of HDPE Base Cups from PET Beverage Bottles 3.4 Separation Using Selective Dissolution 3.5 Separation Using Soluble Acrylic Polymers 3.6 Initial Activities in Polyurethane Recycling 3.7 Initial Activities in Automotive Plastics Recycling 3.8 Sources of Plastic Recycling Information and Plastic Recycling Systems4. Buyers and Specifications for Waste Plastics 4.1 Buyers of Waste Plastic 4.2 Specifications for Waste PlasticAppendix A: Plastic Scrap Handlers and BrokersAppendix B: Sources of Information on Plastics RecyclingAppendix C: Manufacturers of Plastic Recycling EquipmentAppendix D: Glossary