Reduce, Reuse, and Replace: A Study on Solutions to ...

[Pages:104]Reduce, Reuse, and Replace: A Study on Solutions to Plastic Wastes

An Interactive Qualifying Project Submitted to the faculty of

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

May 5, 2009

By Ningwei Li Dilasha Mahat Seonhee Park

Project Advisor: Professor Robert W. Thompson

Abstract

This project aimed to examine the quantities of plastic wastes discarded and the fate of various plastics in the environment. Our Interactive Qualifying Project was concerned with researching the possible alternatives to plastics, mainly biodegradable plastics that have been claimed to biodegrade and help environment. Moreover, it was also required to evaluate the best methods to deal with our plastic wastes that are environmentally, economically, and energywise viable.

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Acknowledgement

We would like to thank a number of people who greatly helped us and shared their knowledge and experiences to complete this project.

First we would like to thank faculty members, who were generous enough to take time to answer our questions; Professor Zhou, Mr. Hutson, Professor Brisson, Professor Fehribach, Professor Padir, Mr. Thomsen, Professor Dollenmayer, Professor Masamune, Miss Kumar, and Professor Pietroforte. We would also like to thank Mr. Kraskousakas, director of the Chartwells Services, and Ms. Tomaszeski, the coordinator of the Sustainability and the manager of the Facilities systems, for providing us information on recycling programs and plastic uses in WPI.

Finally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to our advisor, Professor Robert W. Thompson, for guiding and providing feedbacks to us throughout the project.

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Acronyms

ABS: Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene BBzP: Butyl Benzyl Phthalate BLL: Blood Lead Level BPA: Bisphenol A BPI: International Biodegradable Products Institute of the United States BPS: Biodegradable Plastics society of Japan DEHA: Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Adipate DEHP: Bis(2-ethylhexyl)Phthalate EPA: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency HDPE: High Density Polyethylene HIPS: High-Impact Polystyrene LDPE: Low Density Polyethylene LLDPE: Linear Low Density Polyethylene MSW: Municipal Solid Waste PAYT: "Pay-As-You-Throw" PET: Polyethylene Terephthalate PHA: Polyhydroxyalkanoate PHB: Polyhydroxybutyrate PLA: Polylactic Acid PLGA: Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) PP: Polypropylene PS: Polystyrene PUF: Polyurethane Foams

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PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride WPI: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

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Glossary

Downcycling: process where the recycled/reproduce product has inferior quality than the original product MSW: more commonly known as trash or garbage, consists of everyday items such as product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint, and batteries (EPA). Recyclates: recycled materials that will be used to form new products (AggRegain 2009) Shredder residue: remaining particles after the sorting processed by the trammel in the recycling industry Trommels: screening devices used in the recycling industry for sorting particles of different sizes

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Table of Contents

Abstract Acknowledgement Acronyms Glossary Table of Tables Table of Figures Background

Plastics Problems of Plastics Solutions to the Problems of Plastics Examples from the Real World Methodology Analysis Chemical Decomposing Reduced use of plastics Recycling Biodegradable Plastics WPI Conclusion and Recommendations Appendix Interview Summaries References

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10 10 18 26 54 59 61 61 62 64 67 71 74 78 78 99

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Table of Tables

Table 1 Table of Different Types of Plastics

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Table 2 Number of Population Served by Curbside Programs in 2007

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