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Developments and applications of recycled plastics
Author(s) -
Lai Christopher C.,
Selke Susan E.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
packaging technology and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.365
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1099-1522
pISSN - 0894-3214
DOI - 10.1002/pts.2770010306
Subject(s) - plastics industry , plastic waste , waste management , engineering , waste stream , municipal solid waste , environmental science , business , forensic engineering , materials science , composite material
Plastics in the waste stream have increased steadily, from about one‐half million tons in 1960 to 9.6 million tons in 1984 in the United States; if this trend continues, the amount of plastic wastes in the year 2000 will be 15.5 million tons. The problems associated with the growing proportion of plastic packaging materials in community domestic refuse have generated public concerns. Furthermore, an increasing number of laws are being proposed to address the solid waste — many targeted at plastic packaging. This was the background for the conference‚Recycled Plastics: Developments and Applications’which provided a broad perspective of the field. Emphasis was placed on current and potential uses for recycled plastics. The conference was held on September 15, 1987 at the School of Packaging, Michigan State University. More than a score of speakers examined the latest developments and discussed recycling methodologies, marketing approaches, social and environmental implications. This brief report attempts to summarize the main points made.