UNRAVELING THE INFLUENCES OF THE JOINT COLLECTION OF WASTE PLASTIC PACKAGING AND OTHER WASTE PLASTIC PRODUCTS ON PLASTIC MATERIAL CIRCULATION AND THEIR COUNTERMEASURES

Abstract

 The joint collection and recycling of waste plastic packaging and other waste plastic products is expected to increase the amount of recycled plastic materials; however, it may pose harmful influences on plastic recycling system, such as the decrease in plastic waste quality. This research investigated the influences that the joint collection may pose on mechanical recycling facilities as well as on municipalities and the countermeasures based on interview surveys. Although the joint collection may increase the amount of collected plastic waste for recycling, it may lead various harmful influences to plastic recycling processes, particularly by stopping the recycling processes and increasing the amount of residues. Additional counter-measures are practiced to prevent the harmful influences, such as by excluding the harmful plastic products from collection and strengthening the recycling processes. It is essential to assess the benefits of joint collection and the additional countermeasures by multiple indicators including the amount of recycled plastic and recycling costs.