Recycling of Pretreated Polyolefin-Based Ocean-Bound Plastic Waste by Incorporating Clay and Rubber

Plastic waste found in oceans has become a major concern because of its impact on marine organisms and human health. There is significant global interest recycling these materials, but their reclamation, sorting, cleaning, reprocessing, along with the degradation that occurs natural environment, all make it difficult to achieve high quality recycled resins from ocean plastic waste. To mitigate limitations, various additives including clay rubber were explored. In this study, we compounded different types ocean-bound (o-HDPE o-PP) virgin polymers (v-LDPE v-PS) functionalized clay, styrene-multi-block-copolymer (SMB), ethylene-propylene-based (EPR). Physical observation showed blends containing PS brittle due weak interfaces between polyolefin regions domains within polymer blend matrix. Blends rough surfaces brittleness non-uniform distribution particles evaluate properties compatibility blends, characterizations using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), electron microscopy (SEM), small-amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) rheology carried out. The (v-LDPE, o-HDPE, EPR improved elasticity. Incorporating such as could improve mechanical for purposes.