The various recycling technologies of PSW presented in this paper,
have contributed greatly to the eco-image of waste management
and particularly to PSW recycling, treatment and recovery.
Re-using and decreasing single-life polymeric materials will certainly
benefit the current situation. By initiating the loop of recycling
in a processing line, one can integrate it with the process
scrap re-extrusion occurring at different scales with different thermoplastics.
Certain disadvantages appear when mechanical recycling
is chosen as a route of recycling. The types of the polymer
based plastic, its condition and suitability as well as the intense energy
consumption involved are all major issues concerning PSW.
For the practical application of any of these recycling methods to
be successful, it should be stressed that by-products resulting from
the various mechanical treatments should have similar properties
of commercial grade plastics with respect to their type and monomer
origin. Tertiary treatment of waste plastic articles is by far a
more sustainable solution. Not only it recovers valuable petrochemicals
as feedstock, providing in the process a recycling route,
it also produces energy in the form of heat, steam, etc.
Plastic solid waste (PSW) is derived from oil and has a recoverable
energy, in some cases comparable to other energy sources. Direct
incineration via one or two stage combustion technologies can
certainly reduce the volume of PSW as well as the dependence on
fossil fuels, which as a result can lead to a better conservation of
natural resources and integrated waste management schemes. It
is very important to consider recycling and energy recovery methods
in plastic manufacturing and converting facilities. Many tertiary
and quaternary technologies appear to be robust to warrant
further research and development in the near future.