A real case study of mechanical recycling as an alternative for managing of polyethylene plastic film presented in mixed municipal solid waste

This work presents an investigation on mechanical plastic recycling in order to promote the mechanical recycling rate of polyethylene plastic film presented in municipal solid waste, which had not been collected selectively, and diminish the amount of this material that is deposited in landfills. The study provides information about the main composition of the raw material, the characteristics of recycled plastic film and the effluents obtained during its recycling process that included washing (without chemicals), drying and extrusion steps. First, raw material characterization was performed that included determination of main properties of washing water obtained after its cleaning. Then, analysis of main effluents of the mechanical recycling process was carried out. Finally, ash content, relative density, thermal properties, mechanical properties, rheological properties, among others, were determined for recycled material and compared with the virgin material.