LITERATURE REVIEW: USING

RECYCLED PLASTICS FOR

COMPOUNDING AND
ADDITIVES
New End Market Opportunities (NEMO) for Film

May 29, 2018

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 3

SCHOLARLY ARTICLES .................................................................... 4

NEWS ARTICLES............................................................................... 17

ADDITIONAL HDPE APPLICATIONS ............................................... 21

Page 2
INTRODUCTION
Recycled plastics are a valuable resource and feedstock for manufacturing. Some plastics,
like bottles, will be recycled back into similar applications, but often, recycled plastics are used
for entirely different products than their initial application. Just like virgin plastics, recycled
materials have many desirable attributes, which can be used to improve properties of other
plastics and non-plastic materials. The plastics industry is committed to furthering new uses
for recycled plastics, which requires innovative thinking about how, and where we use recycled
materials.

This document consolidates prior research and news coverage of new and non-traditional uses
for recycled plastics. The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) hopes the information
contained in this literature review will inspire innovation and new opportunities for all streams
of recycled plastics.

Special thanks to the PLASTICS New End Market Opportunities (NEMO) for film workgroup for
commissioning this document and making it freely available.

Page 3
Scholarly Articles
Percentage
Recycled
Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
application materials
used
used
System for making synthetic
LDPE, 15% plastic Uses waste wood fiber and recycled
wood products from recycled Building blocks
HDPE material plastics instead of virgin wood
materials
Economic and Environmental
Comparison of Post-Consumer
Recycled Polyethylene and Trash bags PE
Virgin Polyethylene Trash
Bags
Development of new
lubricating grease formulations Lubricating
LDPE
using recycled LDPE as greases
rheology modifier additive
Potential of using recycled low-
Reduce wood consumption and increase
density polyethylene in wood Wood boards LDPE 50%
strength of wood boards
composites board
Valorisation of waste plastic
bags in cement-mortar
composites as coating of local Reduces waste of plastic bags, reduced
sand aggregates: Cement LDPE 8-12% water absorption ratio by 90% and
physicomechanical decreased density by 11.6%
characterization and potential
uses
Addition of EPDM
necessary to reduce
effect of weathering on
LDPE/EPDM Multilayer Films
Greenhouse LDPE only film. EPDM
Containing Recycled LDPE for LDPE 25 - 50% Using recycled LDPE reduces cost
films film retained 75-95%
Greenhouse Applications
original extensibility
after 9 months of
weathering

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 Percentage
Recycled
Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
application materials
used
used
Experimental tests and
technical characteristics of Agricultural LDPE,
Doesn't require any additives in the blends
regenerated films from plastic films HDPE
agricultural plastics
Polyethylene and Biodegradable breakdown of mulch
more efficient use of soil nutrients,
biodegradable mulches for mulch, sometimes
PE reduction of insect pests, moisture
agricultural applications: a agricultural unpredictable, more
conservation, higher crop yield
review mulch film research needed
Novel recycled GTR (ground tire
polyethylene/ground tire Roofing and Use of recycled PE increases material rubber) required to
rubber/bitumen blends for use waterproofing PE elastic and viscous properties at high improve material
in roofing applications: applications temperatures behavior at low
Thermo-mechanical properties temperatures
Tightening the loop on the
circular economy: Coupled Use of recycled materials reduces
3-D Printing
distributed recycling and PE (ABS?) embodied energy by half and reduces cost
filament
manufacturing with recyclebot of final consumer product
and RepRap 3-D printing
Method for producing a supply
obtained from the recycling of
3-D Printing Recycled 3-D printer filament can be used Source is patent claim
plastic material of industrial PET, PA Up to 100%
filament for commercial and home use - not in production yet
and post-consumer residues,
to be used by 3-D printers
Recycling in buildings: an LCA
case study of a thermal
Thermal Saves more energy than thermal insulation
insulation panel made of PET 100%
insulation panels made with virgin PET
polyester fiber, recycled from
post-consumer PET bottles
The effect of post-consumer Tensile resistance, strain at break, and
PET particles on the tear resistance improved with use of post-
Flexible foams PET
performance of flexible consumer PET, as did compression set,
polyurethane foams compression resistance, and wear

Page 5
 Percentage
Recycled
Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
application materials
used
used
Addition of post-consumer PET doesn't
Valorization of post-consumer
Concrete affect compressive strength or flexural
waste plastic in cementitious PET <50%
composite strength of concrete composites and would
concrete composites
save energy
Fly ash was found to improve the use of
post-consumer PET in composites -
Composite material from fly Concrete reduces thermal decomposition of PET,
PET >50%
ash and post-consumer PET composite expedites melting & mixing of PET,
reduces shrinkage of PET during molding
process, increases compressive strength
Limited success -
RPFs: PLA, contaminants
Potential applications of 3-D Conclusion was that more research was
3-D Printing ABS, HIPS, compromised materials
printing in the recycling of 100% needed, but has potential to reduce waste
filament PVA, PET, and caused damage to
fishing nets & ropes in small fishing communities
PA, PC printer nozzles. More
research needed
Thermal insulation
enhancement in concretes by Concrete Addition of PET bottle pieces improves
PET
adding waste PET and rubber composite thermal insulation and reduces heat loss
pieces
used un-washed PET bottles (WPET) and
was found to have similar workability
Recycling of PET bottles as Concrete
PET 5% characteristics, compressive strength, a
fine aggregate in concrete composite
moderately higher ductility and only a
slightly lower tensile strength
Characteristics of mortar and
concrete containing fine Did multiple tests on amount of WPLA (25,
Concrete
aggregate manufactured from PET, WPLA 25% 50, 75%), 25% was found to have the best
composite
recycled waste polyethylene structural efficiency
terephthalate bottles

Page 6
 Percentage
Recycled
Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
application materials
used
used

100% recycled jute

fiber has worse
Recycled milk pouch and virgin 50/50 blend of virgin and recycled mechanical properties
Jute fiber LLDPE,
LDPE-LLDPE-based jute fiber 100% LDPE/LLDPE performed much better than and poorer thermal
composites LDPE
composites 100% recycled jute fiber composite stability compared to
virgin polymer/jute fiber
composites
Blending LLDPE and Ground
Polymer blend LLDPE
Rubber Tires
Mechanical Properties and
Crystallization Behavior of Polymer blend PP Increased tensile strength when PP added
PP/Wood Flour Composites
Study on Modified PE for
Wood LLDPE with maleic anhydride was studied
Wood Fiber-Plastic Composite LLDPE
composite for use in a wood fiber-plastic composite
Manufacture
Structure and properties of
Tensile properties improved, elongation at
compatibilized recycled
LLDPE, break and charpy impact strengths
poly(ethylene Polymer blend
PET increased with addition of SEBS/SEBS-g-
terephthalate)/linear low
MA
density polyethylene blends
LDPE w/ lower molecular weight and wider
Study of recycled polyethylene
Asphalt LDPE molecular weight distribution was found
materials as asphalt modifiers
suitable for asphalt modification
The theoretic analysis and Found that LDPE modified asphalt
experimental study on PE Asphalt LDPE increases high-temperature stability and
modified asphalt may improve aging performance
Found that LDPE modified asphalt has
Utilization of waste plastic in
Asphalt LDPE 30% better binding property, stability, density,
asphalting of roads
and is more resistant to water
Research of mixed-waste
LDPE,
plastics from urban waste as Asphalt
HDPE, PP
road bitumen modifier

Page 7
 Percentage
Recycled
Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
application materials
used
used
HDPE, Wood flour reinforced plastic has improved
Wood flour-reinforced plastic
Polymer blend LDPE, mechanical, chemical, and thermal
composites: A review
LLDPE, PP properties
Evaluation of corn husk fibers Studied characteristics of LDPE and corn
reinforced recycled low-density Polymer blend LDPE husk fiber blend for packing applications,
polyethylene composites found positive results
Unsure of how relevant this paper was but
3DPro-Development of low
3D Printed it's the only thing I've found of its kind -
cost prosthetics using 3D PE
Prosthetics looks at 3D printing of prosthetics in 3rd
printing technologies
world countries with recycled plastic
LLDPE/PP Blends in tubular Studied mechanical properties of 85/15
film extrusion: Recycling of Polymer blend LLDPE 85% LLDPE/PP mixture, found positive results
mixed films for tear and impact strength
Would reduce overall waste if concrete
Recycled plastic used in 10%, 20%,
Concrete Paver PET, PP aggregates could be replaced with
concrete paver block 30%
recycled plastic
Compressive, tensile,
and flexural strength of
Strength and behavior of Concrete concrete declined as
PE 1%, 3%, 5%
concrete contains waste plastic composite amount of plastic
increased in the
mixture
Recycling of polyethylene films Experiment found success in using
used in greenhouses - Multilayer multilayered film (with bottom layer
PE, LLDPE
Development of multilayer plastic films composed of PE waste) as greenhouse
plastic films films
Production of recycled plastic recycled
Concrete Aggregate was lightweight, comparable
aggregates and its utilization in plastic
composite density and strengths to other aggregates
concrete aggregate
Blown film made of mix of post-consumer and
Blown film extrusion of post- virgin LLDPE. Tested for dart drop impact
Plastic film LLDPE strength, cross and machine direction tear
consumer recycled LLDPE film
strength, and gauge uniformity

Page 8
 Percentage
Recycled
Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
application materials
used
used
Study contrasted virgin LLDPE with rice
Characteristics of starch-filled starch added and recycled LLDPE with
Plastic
LLDPE plastic processed from LLDPE rice starch. Virgin LLDPE with rice starch
composite
plastic waste added increased melt flow index of LLDPE
but MFI decreased with recycled LLDPE.
Tested waste air bag with
Recycle of waste LDPE/PA6/LLDPE base material with
LDPE,
LDPE/PA6/LLDPE Composite Composite film LDPE-g-MAH as compatibilizer.
LLDPE
film Mechanical properties improved in blend
as well as barrier properties
Tensile properties of linear low Tensile strength of composite decreased
density polyethylene (LLDPE) / with increase of NBRr but elongation at
Plastic
recycled acrylonitrile butadiene LLDPE break increased. Tensile strength &
composite
rubber (NBRr) / rice husk elongation at break for composites with
powder (RHP) composites ENR-50 increased.

Rheological properties of Plastic LDPE, Blends of recycled and virgin LDPE &
100%
RLDPE/LLDPE blends composite LLDPE LLDPE showed potential successes

Improved mechanical Adding date palm wood powder to

properties of recycled linear recycled LLDPE increased flexural
Plastic
low-density polyethylene LLDPE strength of composites by 1.5 times. Water
composite
composites filled with date uptake was partially suppressed with
palm wood powder addition of powder
Coir and LLDPE mixture had better
Use of coir-filled LLDPE as a compatibility with natural rubber than just
Rubber
reinforcement for natural LLDPE the unmodified coir. Modified coir also
composite
rubber composite showed greater storage modulus and
lower tan delta
Mechanical, thermal and
Recycled LDPE/corn starch blend reduced
morphological characterization Plastic
LDPE MFI values, tensile strength, and
of recycled LDPE/corn starch composite
elongation at break but increased modulus
blends

Page 9
 Percentage
Recycled
Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
application materials
used
used
LDPE from packaging film mixed with pine
Low-density polyethylene wood waste (PWW) and maleic anhydride
Plastic
waste/recycled wood LDPE grafted polyethylene. PWW amount can be
composite
composites adjusted to get different mechanical
properties for different applications
Wood plastic composite's density, moisture
Flat-pressed wood plastic content, water absorption, thickness
composites from sawdust and swelling, and mechanical properties
Plastic
recycled polyethylene PET measured. Density decreased when
composite
terephthalate: Physical and sawdust content increased. Water
mechanical properties absorption and thickness swelling
increased when PET content decreased
Used samples of construction plastic
waste and municipal mixed plastic waste
Characterization of wood and tested for flexural, tensile, and un-
plastic composites Plastic notched impact strength, hardness
LDPE
manufactured from recycled composite properties, and water absorption. Found
plastic blends samples had lower strength, comparable
hardness, and higher stiffness than virgin
LDPE
Rice husk (RH) added to polymer
composites increases biodegradability,
LDPE, toughness, resistance to weathering,
Rice husk filled polymer Plastic HDPE, makes the composites cheaper and more
composites composite PLA, PP, light weight. Gives composite a higher
PVC resistance to termite and ability to deal
with moisture compared to wood based
composites
Contact angles increased with addition of Epolene E-
Effect of recycled materials on 43, then decreased as concentrations of urea
the properties of wood fiber- Plastic LDPE, formaldehyde (UF), phenol formaldehyde (PF), and
polyethylene composites - Part composite LLDPE, PP isocyanate (ISO) increased. Contact angle ratings for
different plastic types followed the sequences of PP >
2 LLDPE > LDPE and distilled water > UF > PF > ISO

Page 10
 Percentage
Recycled
Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
application materials
used
used
LDPE reinforced with yellow birch fibre
was put through simulation of recycling.
Properties of recycled Plastic Results showed polymer crystallinity
LDPE
LDPE/Birch fibre composites composite increased with number of composite
regeneration while zero-shear viscosity
decreased with recycling
LDPE mixed with bamboo powder (BP)
The effects of bamboo powder had a decreased water sorption level,
on some mechanical increased flame retardancy, and slight
Plastic
properties of recycled low- LDPE increase in the specific gravity of the
composite
density polyethylene (RLDPE) composites. Tensile strength and
composites elongation at break decreased with
increased filler loading for composites

Utilization of maise Study found that adding maize husk to

husk/recycled low density Plastic RLDPE improved compressive strength of
LDPE
polyethylene waste materials composite the composite. Thermogravimetric analysis
for composite board production gave a max decomposition temp of 463C

LDPE mixed with chitosan and coupling

agent ultraplus TP01. Melt flow index
Chitosan filled recycled low-
values decreased with increasing chitosan
density polyethylene
Plastic but increased with rise of temp. When
composite: Melt flow behavior LDPE
composite Ultraplus TP01 was added, MFI values
and thermal degradation
decreased. Thermal stability was reduced
properties
with increase of chitosan but increased
with addition of ultraplus TP01
LDPE reinforced with nanoclay
montmorillonite (MMT) had increased
mechanical strength, thermal stability, and
Valorization of recycled LDPE Plastic
LDPE sorption, especially for recycled matrix.
by MMT Nanocomposite composite
Recycled composites presented 15% eco-
efficiency increase in comparison to virgin
composites

Page 11
 Percentage
Recycled
Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
application materials
used
used
Studied various wood-plastic composites
The impact of recycled raw
Plastic and found improvements in moisture
materials on the properties of LDPE
composite resistance and impact strength and
wood-plastic composites
decreased price in various composites
Study looked at effects of a compatibilizer
on the wettability of birch plywood and
Effects of recycled materials polyolefins. Found contact angles
on the properties of wood fiber- Plastic LDPE, increased with addition of Epolene E-43
polyethylene composites - part composite LLDPE, PP and decreased as concentrations
2 increased for urea formaldehyde (UF),
phenol formaldehyde (PF), and isocyanate
(ISO).

PE waste used as reinforcement in laterite

Recycling of polyethylene into
bricks. Composite with 20 vol % of PE had
strong and tough earth-based Building blocks PE 0-30%
best combination of flexural/compressive
composite building materials
strength and fracture toughness

Effects of reinforcement
Physical and mechanical properties such
loading on physical and
as hardness values, density, young's
mechanical properties of
Plastic modulus, flexural strength and impact
developed recycling low LDPE 75-80%
composite energy increase with a maize cob ash
density polyethylene/maize
particulate up to 20-25 wt % MCAp then
cob ash particulate
decrease
(PLDP/MCAp) composite
Tested three levels of plastic/fibre mixing
Strength and sorption ratios (1:1, 2:1, 3:1). Results found that as
properties of bamboo Plastic plastic/fibre mixing ratio and board density
LDPE
(bambusa vulgaris) wood- composite increased the tensile strength, MOE and
plastic composites MOR increased and TS and WA
decreased

Page 12
 Percentage
Recycled
Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
application materials
used
used
Sawdust treated with
cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)
Mechanical properties of was used to reinforce recycled PE
chemically treated sawdust- Plastic composites. Treated composites had
PE
reinforced recycled composite higher tensile strength and improved
polyethylene composites young's modulus, flexural strength, flexural
modulus, and hardness values compared
to untreated composites
Recycled HDPE, LDPE, and PP were
blended and reinforced with short glass
Tensile properties of glass
Plastic HDPE, fibre at 10-30 wt%. Tensile strength and
fibre reinforced recycled mixed 70-90 wt %
composite LDPE, PP modulus increased with glass fibre but
plastic composites
composite became brittle and ductility was
reduced
Paper reviews recycling processes and
Recycling of plastic solid blending virgin and recycled
Plastic HDPE,
waste: A state of art review HDPE/LDPE/Nylon PSW with various
composite LDPE
and future applications reinforcements such as sand, natural
fibers, hemp fibers, and metal powder
20% LDPE,
Fabricating and tensile
Plastic HDPE, 4% HDPE, Composite blend indicated to the left had
characteristics of recycled
composite LDPE, PP 25% PP (one improved tensile stress
composite materials
example)
Study compares modulus of elasticity and
Mechanical properties: wood HDPE,
Plastic the flexural, compressive, tensile, and
lumber versus plastic lumber LDPE, PP,
composite shear strengths of plastic lumber and wood
and thermoplastic composites ABS
lumber
Studied composites of LDPE and HDPE
Rheological and mechanical
with wood flour. Found that melt pre-
properties of composites made Plastic LDPE,
mixing of recycled LDPE/HDPE improved
from wood flour and recycled composite HDPE
mechanical properties of the wood-plastic
LDPE/HDPE blend
composite

Page 13
 Percentage
Recycled
Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
application materials
used
used
Sample with sawdust treated with
NaOH+Surfactant had better mechanical
Physico-mechanical properties
properties and greater resistance to water
of recycled polyethylene Plastic LDPE,
65-80% absorption. Recycled PE matrix-based
composites reinforced with composite HDPE, PE
composites had excellent durability and
chemically treated sawdust
mechanical properties compared to virgin
plastics
Study found thermal stability of mixed
recycled plastics similar to virgin plastics.
Effect of elevated temperature
Plastic LDPE, Tensile strength and modulus reduced
on the tensile properties of
composite HDPE, PP when temp increased from 23C to 100C.
recycled mixed plastic waste
Higher reduction of tensile modulus than
tensile strength at higher temp
PP/Rice Husk (RH) composite had
Utilization of rice husk as
decreased stress at peak and increased
reinforcement in plastic Plastic
LDPE, PP tensile modulus and modulus in flexure.
composites fabrication - a composite
LDPE/RH composite had low strength,
review
high stiffness, and high hardness
LDPE,
Glass fibre and recycled mixed Composites with glass fibre added have
Plastic HDPE,
plastic wastes: recent high stiffness and strength and reduced
composite PVC, PET,
developments and applications ductility
PP
ISO-bonded LDPE had highest interfacial
Effects of raw materials on the
shear strength compared to other LDPE
properties of wood fiber-
composites. Addition of E-43 increased
polyethylene composites - Part
Wood plastic LDPE, interfacial shear strength for all plastic
3: Effect of a compatibilizer
composite LLDPE, PP except ISO-bonded LDPE and LLDPE.
and wood adhesive on the
LDPE and LLDPE composites experienced
interfacial adhesion of
adhesive failure and PP composites had
wood/plastic composites
cohesive failure

Page 14
 Percentage
Recycled
Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
application materials
used
used
MAPP/LLDPE had better mechanical and
Comparative study of the thermal properties than the PP/LLDPE
morphology and properties of blend because of a stronger interfacial
Wood plastic
PP/LLDPE/wood powder and LLDPE, PP 90-70 wt % interaction between MAPP, LLDPE, &
composite
MAPP/LLDPE/wood powder wood powder (WP). MAPP/LLDPE blend
polymer blend composites was also more thermally stable than the
PP/LLDPE blend
LDPE was reinforced by microfibrils of
PET and found the elastic modulus 10x
Microfibrillar reinforced
higher than plain LDPE and 3x higher than
composites from PET/LDPE Plastic LDPE at 50
LDPE, PET LDPE reinforced with glass spheres.
blends: Morphology and composite and 70 wt %
Tensile strength at least 2x higher than
mechanical properties
plain LDPE or LDPE reinforced with glass
spheres
Composite of low-density Composite of LDPE and PEAL (aluminum
polyethylene and aluminum composite) had higher thermooxidative
Plastic
obtained from the recycling of LDPE stability, higher crystallinity, lower impact
composite
postconsumer aseptic resistance, and higher tensile strength
packaging than other olefin polymers
Studied silane-crosslinking of recycled
LDPE wood composites. Crosslinked
Silane-crosslinking of recycled composite strength, toughness, and creep
Wood plastic
low-density polyethylene/wood LDPE resistance were improved compared to
composite
composites uncrosslinked composites. Flexural
strength was doubled compared to
uncrosslinked samples
rLDPE/wood flour mix had SEBS-MA
Influence of thermoplastic
added as compatibilizer. Tensile strength
elastomers on adhesion in Wood plastic
LDPE reached max at 4wt% SEBS-MA content.
polyethylene-wood flour composite
SEBS-MA improved impact strength and
composites
elongation at break but decreased stiffness

Page 15
 Percentage
Recycled
Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
application materials
used
used
Influence of processing
conditions on the tensile
Plastic Tensile strength decreased but tensile
properties of unidirectional LDPE
composite modulus was not strongly affected.
UHMWPE fibre/LDPE
composites
LDPE/sisal composites with and without
Effect of ageing on the
addition of cardanol derivative of toluene
physical and mechanical
Plastic diisocyanate (CTDIC). Composites treated
properties of sisal-fiber- LDPE
composite with CTDIC showed superior mechanical
reinforced polyethylene
properties and better dimensional stability
composites
compared to untreated composites
Study found the compacted Plastiphalt mix
Laboratory design and
has lower bulk density than conventional
investigation of the properties
control mix. A 30% aggregate replacement
of continuously graded Concrete
LDPE with LDPE reduces density by 16%. LDPE
asphaltic concrete containing composite
replacement also results in a 250%
recycled plastics aggregate
increase in the Marshall stability value and
replacement (Plastiphalt)
an improved Marshall quotient value.
Composites of short pineapple-leaf-fiber
(PALF) reinforced LDPE were made with
melt-mixing and solution-mixing methods.
Short pineapple-leaf-fiber-
Plastic Solution-mixed composites had better
reinforced low-density LDPE
composite tensile properties than melt-mixed.
polyethylene composites
Composite performed better than other
cellulose-fiber-reinforced LDPE
composites
Study found that increasing palm kernel
Properties of low-density
shell (PKS) decreased tensile strength and
polyethylene/palm kernel shell Plastic
LDPE elongation at break but Young's modulus
composites: Effect of composite
and water absorption of composites
polyethylene co-acrylic acid
increased

Page 16
 Percentage
Recycled
Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
application materials
used
used
LDPE composite had better modulus of
elasticity than both the HDPE and PP
Performance of polyolefin composites. Tensile strength decreased at
Plastic LDPE,
composites containing 0-40 wt % higher filler content for HDPE and PP
composite HDPE, PP
recycled paper fibers composites. The addition of newspaper
fibers did not significantly affect the
insulating properties of the composites

News Articles
Percentage
Product Recycled of recycled
Article Title Benefits Challenges
application plastics used materials
used
FDA approves post-
Reusable crates & Strict source control, low likelihood of
consumer PP for LDPE, PP 100
pallets contaminants in recycled PP/LDPE blend
reusable packaging
Can plastic roads help Recycled plastic replaces bitumen as the
Asphalt PE
save the planet? binding agent in asphalt
MIT students fortify Reducing CO2 emissions from concrete Requires additive of fly
polyethylene
concrete by adding Concrete 1.5% production by using recycled plastics. Also ash to produce a
terephthalate
recycled plastic makes cement stronger stronger concrete
Recycler rescues
Diverts ag bags from landfill; Revolution Requires washing ag
forage bags from Can liners LDPE 100%
Bags have a closed loop system bags
landfills
Closing the cycle of Water resistant, combustion resistant,
PP, LDPE,
plastic: Decent durable, immune to
Plastic bricks HDPE, PET, PS, 100%
housing solutions from insects/microorganisms, insulates well,
HIPS, ABS, PC
recycled plastics economically competitive

Page 17
 Percentage
Product Recycled of recycled
Article Title Benefits Challenges
application plastics used materials
used
PE, polystyrene
This Japanese 1kg of plastic can be converted into 1 liter Made for household
(PS),
invention can recycle Oil/Fuel 100% of oil with 1 kWh of electricity, made for use and end product is
polypropylene
plastic into oil household use oil
(PP)
One use for post- Better than previously used metal because
consumer plastic film: Irrigation piping LDPE 100% this does not corrode, is cheaper, doesn't
agricultural irrigation have to be perfect in appearance
100% Film made from
Lots of contaminants,
post-consumer waste: Produces a good film once contaminants
Plastic film LDPE 100% plastics must be
A challenging have been sorted out
washed first
application
From consumer to Drip irrigation tape,
supplier: Trex has trash bins, blown
Company already produces consistent,
begun producing film, trash bags, ag
LLDPE 100% cost-effective LLDPE pellets, hoping to
recycled LLDPE film, garden
expand use for post-consumer plastics
pellets for commercial products,
sale composite lumber
Post-consumer waste Uses ag LDPE film, LLDPE film from bale
Requires human
becomes high-quality wrapping, and film from household waste.
Plastic film LDPE, LLDPE 100% sorting and washing
film and Poligroup's End product is high quality, thin film and is
step.
new model plant inexpensive to produce
Ultra-Post Reusable T-
Plastic bags LDPE 20% Is 100% recyclable
Shirt Bags
The shredder was set
Recycled LDPE resulted a more flexible up for PLA and PS, not
Plastics that can be
plastic when 3D printed, could have LDPE, so there was
recycled for 3D 3-D Printing LDPE 100%
different applications than traditional more work on the front
printing
plastics used end to prepare the
LDPE
The added catalyst (cobalt particles)
Best recycling ever: Had to add large
makes the nanotubes suitable for use in
turning old plastic bags Carbon nanotubes LDPE, HDPE amounts of catalyst for
lithium-air batteries, which is viewed as an
into carbon nanotubes the process to work
asset

Page 18
 Percentage
Product Recycled of recycled
Article Title Benefits Challenges
application plastics used materials
used
Composite decking
Ideal for use of: trash bags, bins, totes,
leader repurposes its
Plastic pellets LLDPE kayaks. Uses Trex's leftover material from
recycled plastic into
wood composite deck building
polyethylene pellets
Viscoelasticity is main
More durable, stable, resilient, and limitation. Time and
Plastic Lumber resistant to weather, rot, mildew, and temperature can cause
Wood composite PE, PP
Possibilities termites. Don't require repainting or "creeping" or
restaining - are low maintenance permanent
deformation over time
Roads made of plastic
waste in India? Yes! Cement additive, Reduces plastic waste and bitumen use
Meet the professor plastic brick LDPE, PE for paving roads. Process requires no new
who pioneered the (plastone) machinery. Increases durability of roads
technique
You can make
concrete 20% stronger Recycled plastic treated with gamma
Concrete
by adding recycled PE radiation made cement 20% stronger than
composite
plastic in & also save normal with no negative side effects
the environment
Polymer concrete absorbs less water so is
In with recycled plastic polymer concrete better for freezing temperatures, is also
PE
bricks, out with cement bricks less expensive to create than traditional
bricks
Bricks can withstand up to 6 tons of
Soft plastic - pressure and very durable. Can withstand
Old plastic bags
plastic bags and monsoon season and the creator is
become bricks in Plastic bricks 100%
foil-covered working on a way to create bricks without
Indian houses
snack bags electricity so that rural areas can create
them
Easy to create, requires no additives, and
Plastic bags as
Plastic bricks Plastic bags 100% is cost-effective when compared to
building blocks
cement or ordinary bricks.

Page 19
 Percentage
Product Recycled of recycled
Article Title Benefits Challenges
application plastics used materials
used
This neighborhood
recycling lab turns Increases recycling, decreases waste,
plastic into building Plastic bricks Plastic bags 100% educates the public, produces a durable
blocks to make the brick
neighborhood better
Structurally sound enough to withstand
Bricks from recycled
Plastic bricks PET 100% earthquakes and typhoons, relatively
plastic
cheap, and sustainable
ByFusion: Creating the Structurally sound, cheap to create, uses
All plastic except
building blocks for Plastic bricks 100% a wide variety of plastic, uses a non-toxic
polystyrene
tackling ocean waste manufacturing process
LCA shows production with recycled
JCU Team wins
Concrete plastic produces 90% less CO2 than using
innovation award for PP
composite steel mesh in concrete and plastic fibers
'green' concrete
are equivalent in strength
Uses unsorted and uncleaned plastic
waste. Is resistant to oils, acid, salts and
Plastic and UAE Sand
alkalis. Is 30% lighter than concrete,
are building block of Plastic bricks Plastic waste 30%
insulates against heat & cold, is flame-
new brick
resistant and water-resistant. It costs 50%
less to manufacture than concrete
Don't need to clean the plastic. End
Kiwi company turns
Concrete product is 10-40% lighter than plain
plastic waste into high- Plastic waste
composite concrete, would save on transportation
quality concrete
costs.
Bricks made of polypropylene and rice
Sustainable building
husks. Bricks are fire resistant, provide
materials for low-cost Plastic bricks Polypropylene
heat and sound insulation, are waterproof
housing
and lightweight.

Page 20
 Percentage
Product Recycled of recycled
Article Title Benefits Challenges
application plastics used materials
used
Lightweight plastic Panels are much lighter, will save fuel
panels manufactured costs and reduce co2 emissions in
from recycled plastics - PP, PET, PE, transportation. Has applications in
Plastic panels
panels for commercial LDPE insulation, acoustic and impact resistance,
vehicles and other caravans, portable cabins, staging,
applications decking, and flooring.
High strength wood
plastic composites
Company evaluated recycled wood plastic
recycled from Plastic composite PE, PP
composite boards
construction and
demolition wood waste

Additional HDPE Applications

Percentage
Recycled
Article Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
Type application materials
used
used
Use of post-consumer waste
Increased performance of concrete's Low percentage
Scholarly plastics in cement-based Cement HDPE 0-5%
compressive strengths recycled material
composites
Diversion from landfill: Properties of 100% post-consumer HDPE
blow-molded
Scholarly quality products from HDPE 100% exceeded materials specifications for
bottle
valuable plastics virgin plastic designs

Page 21
 Percentage
Recycled
Article Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
Type application materials
used
used
Performance of Corrugated
HDPE Pipes Manufactured Corrugated
Scholarly with Recycled Content 1 drainage HDPE
Underneath Commuter pipe
Railroads
Development of a recycled
Out-performs traditional binders in stone Low percentage
Scholarly polymer modified binder for Asphalt HDPE 4%
mastic asphalt plastic
use in stone mastic asphalt
Suitability of recycled HDPE 3-D Printing
Scholarly HDPE 100% Found it comparable to ABS and PLA
for 3D printing filament filament
Plastic container made from
Blend of virgin and
a fusion blend of post- Plastic Better crack resistance than usual when
Scholarly HDPE 25 - 95% recycled HDPE
consumer plastic and container working with post-consumer resins
and virgin LDPE
ethylene polymers
Life cycle analysis of
distributed recycling of post-
3-D Printing Recycling & 3-D printing method for low-
Scholarly consumer high density HDPE 100%
filament density population centers or at home
polyethylene for 3-D printing
filament
Feasibility study of use of
recycled high-density
polyethylene and multi
Tensile, compressive, and flexural
response optimization of
Scholarly Trays HDPE 100% strengths of recycled HDPE are very close
injection molding parameters
to virgin HDPE - is a good substitute
using combined grey
relational and principal
component analyses
Requires maleated
Dimensional stability and
recycled HDPE had equivalent tensile and polypropylene at 3-
mechanical behavior of Wood
flexural properties as virgin HDPE and, 5% to help with
Scholarly wood-plastic composites plastic HDPE
when added to wood, improved stability stability and
based on recycled and virgin composites
and strength mechanical
high-density polyethylene
properties

Page 22
 Percentage
Recycled
Article Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
Type application materials
used
used
Uses recycled HDPE from their own
PE Recycled Fix-Corp to Plastic
News HDPE 100% recycling plant, already has infrastructure
Begin Making Pallets pallets
in place
Corrugated Study showed no discernible differences in
Study: Pipe with recycled
News drainage HDPE 49% performance of the recycled HDPE pipe vs
HDPE good for rail uses
pipe the virgin HDPE pipe after 3 years
Correlation of rheological
Studied rheological and mechanical
and mechanical properties polymer
Scholarly HDPE properties for different blends of recycled
for blends of recycled HDPE blend
HDPE and virgin polyolefins
and virgin polyolefins
Study on mechanical
When blend was at 80% recycled HDPE
properties of recycled polymer
Scholarly HDPE 80% and 20% waste rubber powder it had the
HDPE/Waste rubber powder blend
best mechanical properties
blends
A review on tertiary recycling
Scholarly of high-density polyethylene Fuel HDPE 100%
to fuel
Characteristics of wood-fiber
Wood fiber Composites with recycled HDPE had
Scholarly plastic composites made of HDPE
composite superior properties
recycled materials
Recycled HDPE performs exactly the
Large scale HDPE recycling Plastic milk same as virgin HDPE, meaning no new
News HDPE 30%
trial bottles equipment is required except blending
equipment
Pipe with 49% recycled HDPE performed
Study shows strength of
Corrugated exactly the same as pipe with 100% virgin
News HDPE pipe with recycled HDPE 49%
pipe material installed at same time and had
resin
same expected lifetime of 100+ years
News Porous Paving System Pavers HDPE 100% Pavers have long-term durability
Pavers are durable and can withstand
consistent traffic, abrupt
News Letting the rain fall through Pavers HDPE
braking/acceleration, and slightly sloped
surfaces

Page 23
 Percentage
Recycled
Article Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
Type application materials
used
used

Has long service life and is resistant to

cracking. HDPE is a versatile material and
Cornfield tiled and planted in Corrugated can be created into any perforation pattern
News HDPE 50%+
one day pipe without diminishing performance or
longevity. Is also more resistant to frost
than concrete pipes
Indian company Protoprint
transforms waste into 3D 3-D Printing Reduces waste and increases local work
News HDPE 100%
printing filament for filament without compromising filament
commercial use
3D Printing a solution to the
3-D Printing Reduces waste without compromising
News major waste disposal crisis HDPE 100%
filament filament
in Samoa
Mechanical and
morphological properties of
recycled high-density Plastic HDPE/calcium carbonate/fly ash mixture
Scholarly HDPE
polyethylene, filled with composite had improved mechanical properties
calcium carbonate and fly
ash
Got Milk? Then you've got
3-D Printing
News 3D printer filament at a HDPE 100%
filament
99.7% discount
Mobile open-source solar-
powered 3-D printers for 3-D Printing Analyzes RepRap technology and rural
Scholarly HDPE 100%
distributed manufacturing in filament applications
off grid communities
Mechanical properties of
wood-plastic composite
(WPC) made of recycled Plastic Looks at mechanical properties of HDPE
Scholarly HDPE
high-density polyethylene composite and recycled wood flour composite
(HDPE) and recycled wood
flour (RWF)

Page 24
 Percentage
Recycled
Article Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
Type application materials
used
used
Compared adding wood flour to HDPE &
The impact of plastics PP in different weights. Water absorption
virginity on water absorption Plastic and thickness swelling of composites with
Scholarly HDPE, PP 50%, 75%
and thickness swelling of composite PP was lower than with HDPE. Composite
wood plastic composites with 50% wood flour and 50% HDPE had
maximum moisture sorption
HDPE and CCA-treated wood samples
Properties of wood plastic had higher flexural bending properties
composites made of compared to composites with virgin pine or
Plastic
Scholarly recycled HDPE and wood HDPE 50% recycled urea formaldehyde bonded
composite
flour from CCA-treated wood particleboard. Composite also had higher
removed from service modulus of elasticity and modulus of
rupture
Development of recycled
HDPE, PC-ABS-HDPE blend had highest
plastic composites from Plastic
Scholarly ABS, PS, modulus value and withstood most stress
consumer electronic composite
PC and strain of any other composite tested.
appliances
Outstanding impact Blend of HDPE, PET, PE, and aluminum
resistance of post-consumer Plastic was found to have higher tensile impact
Scholarly HDPE
HDPE/multilayer packaging composite strength and elasticity compared to pure
composites polyethylene
Tensile, flexural, and impact strengths
increased with the increase in jute fibre
Dynamic mechanical and
content up to 30% - higher than that
thermal properties of MAPE Plastic
Scholarly HDPE caused a deterioration in mechanical
treated jute/HDPE composite
strength. Composites treated with MAPE
composites
showed improved properties vs. untreated
composite
Effect of nanographene on Study found that by increasing
physical, mechanical, and nanographene up to 0.5% by weight,
thermal properties and Plastic flexural strength, flexural modulus, and
Scholarly morphology of nanocomposite
HDPE 70%
composite notched impact strength of composite
made of recycled high-density increased. At 2.5 wt% nanographene
polyethylene and wood flour these properties reduced.

Page 25
 Percentage
Recycled
Article Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
Type application materials
used
used
Study of wood-plastic
HDPE/sawdust composite had low plastic
composites with reused Plastic
Scholarly HDPE strain and improved mechanical responses
high-density polyethylene composite
including modulus and maximum stress
and wood sawdust
Study found addition of polyethylene-
Preparation and properties grafted maleic anyhydrive (PE-g-MA)
of wood plastic composites Plastic 15, 30, and improved compatibility between recycled
Scholarly HDPE
made of recycled high- composite 45 wt% HDPE and poplar fibers. PE-g-MA also
density polyethylene improved stability and mechanical
properties and tensile strength.
Extruded bagasse fiber
Plastic HDPE, HDPE/bagasse composites creep more
Scholarly plastic composites: creep
composite PVC compared to PVC and PP composites
performance
0.25 wt% fly ash addition to the
Fly ash in optimized 35 wt% composites increased compression
Plastic HDPE,
Scholarly composites based on HDPE, 5 wt% resistance by 3x. Composites with fly ash
composite PET
recycled plastics and rubber PET also have non-wetting behavior and dense
surface structure
rHDPE and rPP mixed with sawdust and
Development of wood flour- HDPE and PP mixed with sawdust were
Plastic
Scholarly recycled polymer composite HDPE, PP tested. Recycled composites had excellent
composite
panels as building materials dimensional stability & mechanical
properties compared to virgin samples
Presence of chitosan increases complex
Rheological properties of viscosity, loss modulus, storage modulus
Plastic
Scholarly HDPE/chitosan composites HDPE and torque. PE-g-MA increased matrix-
composite
modified with PE-g-MA filler interactions and acted as an effective
compatibilizer
Studied the stiffness and machinability of
A mechanical analysis on
Plastic HDPE, PET/HDPE blend, found good
recycled PET/HDPE
composite PET performance for compression and
composites
machinability

Page 26
 Percentage
Recycled
Article Product of recycled
Article Title plastics Benefits Challenges
Type application materials
used
used
Studied mechanical properties of wood
plastic composites made from virgin and
recycled HDPE or PP and sawdust.
Mechanical properties of Composites with PP had higher stiffness
Plastic
composites from sawdust HDPE, PP and strength than HDPE composites but
composite
and recycled plastics lower unnotched impact strength.
Mechanical properties of composites with
recycled plastics were comparable to ones
with virgin plastic

Page 27