Characterizing plastics originating from WEEE: A case study in France

•A simple characterization methodology of plastics from sWEEE is presented.•The objective is for use routinely by recycling plants.•The estimated sampling error was calculated.•The method was validated with two batches of 10-ton of sWEEE collected in France.

Two studies, TRIPLE (For Analyse des gisements DEEE et optimisation des technologies de TRI des PLastiques DEEE (analysis of WEEE and optimization of sorting technologies for WEEE plastics).) and VALEEE (For VALorisation des composants, matières et substances issus du gisement DEEE (Recovery of components, materials and substances from WEEE).), supported by the French State, the Greater Lyon area (Grand-Lyon), the Rhône-Alpes Region and the French eco-organization “Eco-systèmes”, and involving laboratories, recycled material users and recycler partners, were conducted concerning the characterization, sorting and recovery of French WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment).To determine the heterogeneity of a 10-ton batch, the WEEE was sorted into families before grinding. Specimens were dismantled and plastic particles were analyzed to estimate their composition. The batch was then crushed and the metals extracted.The residue containing plastics was sampled at the outlet of the plant and analyzed. The detailed characterization of the plastics sample was used to calculate the estimated sampling error and the overall measurement error. The sample size was determined so as to achieve satisfactory accuracy for the most represented polymers likely to be recovered after recycling.A simple characterization methodology for use by recycling plants was proposed in order to determine the plastic composition of this waste. The procedure was validated on a second 10-ton batch of sWEEE collected from another location and treated by a different recycling facility.This article presents the sampling protocol design methodology, then the characterization protocol and its usage limitations.