Recycling of Polypropylene Recovered from a Composting Plant: Mechanical Behavior of Compounds with Virgin Plastic

The recycling of polypropylene recovered from waste discarded by a composting plant was investigated. recovery involved sorting step carried out means an optical infrared separator and subsequent washing treatment. This method processing allowed us to obtain that only slightly contaminated other polymeric inorganic materials. As many tens tons could be every year in this plant, convenient the economic point view beneficial for protection environment. In fact, landfill reduced manner. A possible mechanical route developed plastic. pelletizing polypropylene, mixing it with commercial feedstock, manufacturing items injection molding. way, tensile specimens containing different amounts recycled were processed tested. Their features compared those used as reference. elastic modulus strength worsened when using plastic, while strain at failure significantly increased. Nonetheless, properties compounds made virgin consistent characteristics are expected polypropylene-based plastics.