Evaluation of Thermoplastic Starch Contamination in the Mechanical Recycling of High-Density Polyethylene

Abstract

This research highlights the importance of addressing bioplastic contamination in recycling processes to ensure the quality of recycled material and move towards a more sustainable circular economy. Polyethylene (PE) is a conventional plastic commonly used in packaging for which large amounts of waste are produced; therefore, PE is generally recycled and has an established recycling process. However, the contamination of biodegradable polymers in the PE waste stream could impact recycling. This study, therefore, focuses on polyethylene (PE) that has been polluted with a commercial thermoplastic starch polymer (TPS), as both materials are used to produce plastic films and bags, so cross-contamination is very likely to occur in waste separation. To achieve this, recycled PE was blended with small quantities of the commercial TPS and processed through melt extrusion and injection molding, and it was further characterized. The results indicate that the PE-TPS blend lacks miscibility, evidenced by deteriorated microstructure and mechanical properties. In addition, the presence of the commercial TPS affects the thermal stability, oxidation, and color of the recycled PE.