On February 6th, the PRecycling partner AIJU, had the opportunity to participate in the 7th Edition of Plastics and Circular Economy · Beyond Recycling event. A poster outlining our latest research under the PRecycling Project, a pioneering initiative dedicated to enhancing sustainability in the plastics industry, was presented during the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The PRecycling Project focuses on applying circular economy principles by collecting post-consumer plastics from household appliances and toys to manufacture new toys with high recycled content. The need for such initiatives is underscored by European statistics from 2022, which reveal that 58.8 million tons of plastic were generated, with only 58.6% collected and 35% recycled. Notably, recycling rates remain particularly low for electronic products at 25% and toys at 7%, highlighting the urgent need for improvement in these sectors.

 

Our research centred on polypropylene recovered from refrigerators and post-consumer toys. To enhance recyclability, these materials underwent supercritical CO₂ treatment, either as extruded pellets or as shredded material that was later granulated. The study showed that toy waste samples contained LDPE, while refrigerator samples exhibited minor decreases in thermal stability after treatment. The most significant finding was that supercritical CO₂ treatment effectively reduced phthalate compounds by more than 50%, making it a promising solution for eliminating restricted substances in toy manufacturing. While the treatment caused minor reductions in the thermal properties of refrigerator materials, these changes were industrially insignificant. The best results were obtained when applying the treatment directly to extruded pellets from recycled refrigerators.

 

The VII Edition of Plastics and Circular Economy gathered 150 professionals from the plastics sector to discuss sustainability challenges and advancements. A key takeaway from the event was the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which, starting in 2025, will require industrial and commercial packaging producers to manage their products' end-of-life processes, reinforcing sustainability commitments. Another significant innovation is the Digital Product Passport, set for implementation in 2024 and expected to be fully operational by 2030, which will enhance product traceability and provide consumers with detailed insights into environmental impact.

 

These regulatory changes present both challenges and opportunities for the industry, requiring companies to adapt to evolving regulations while advancing toward more sustainable and circular business models.

 

The PRecycling Project stands as a testament to the viability of incorporating recycled plastics into new products while ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards. The event served as a crucial platform for knowledge exchange, reinforcing our commitment to a more sustainable future for plastics.