Mechanical recycling of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer and high impact polystyrene from waste electrical and electronic equipment to comply with the circular economy

Introduction Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) are plastics typically found in waste electrical electronic equipment (WEEE or e-waste). As such, recycling is a beneficial method for reintroducing polymeric materials from to the same production cycle. This study aimed investigate mechanical of ABS HIPS WEEE reprocessed six times, totaling 24 cycles. Methods Reprocessing was performed by extrusion test specimens were obtained injection. The technical aspects assessed before after reprocessing properties (tensile, flexural strength), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) melt flow index (MFI), compared with those virgin materials. environmental aspect evaluated monitoring energy consumption solid generation during each Results Average per injection cycle 0.7 2.0 kW/kg, respectively. There 30% increase MFI first sixth (5.5 g/10 min 200°C 5 kg), largest among polymers. values (6.0 kg) WEE increased 11–15% Impact strength affected second onwards e-waste (14% decrease) fifth (16% e-waste. Discussion thermal, tensile post-consumer remained almost unchanged as number cycles increased, indicating that these have potential reintroduction into