Redesigning the appearance of recycled containers for packaging applications: The effect of paper waste physicochemical properties on the performance of paperboards with obvious recycled content

Significant efforts have been made over the past decade to facilitate recognition of environmentally friendly packaging and promote sustainability. Yet, consumers remain confused by excess labels claims used communicate In our previous work, we modified appearance recycled fibre-based incorporating visible particles waste. This strategy enabled better identify packages with a high recyclability level, enhancing their environmental perception towards sustainable products. However, incorporation such large waste proved be detrimental mechanical properties paperboards. this study, further investigate influence physicochemical added on performance. Using similar enhance perception, herein studied effect mixed office (MOW), old magazines (OMG), polylactic acid (PLA) paper cups. The presence hydrophobic difficult-to-process difficult-to-disperse waste, as PLA cups, significantly altered performance paperboards, whereas more hydrophilic easy-to-disintegrate (MOW OMG) had lesser regardless size particles. Strength agents cationic starch (CS) cellulose microfibrils (CMFs) successfully restored paperboards containing MOW OMG but were less effective for A multi-ply overcame limitations CS CMFs using redesigned paperboard an outer ply aesthetic purposes 100% inner restoring strength.