Transformation of single-use plastic waste into plastic wood: a circular economy approach in La Pampa, Argentina

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is a complex challenge because its inappropriate disposal, especially in open dumps, has negative impacts on health, biodiversity and the environment. Plastic waste, which can take up to 500 years to degrade, is a major contributor to this problem. This work proposes a solution to this problem based on a territorial and sustainable approach, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and circular economy principles. Through the UNLPambiental outreach project, which focuses on environmental education and community participation, more than 72 tonnes of plastic were collected from 45 localities in the province of La Pampa, Argentina, over a period of 20 months. The collected plastics were processed by thermofusion and converted into plastic wood. The final product was analysed by SEM, µXRF and FTIR to determine its elemental and polymeric composition and to identify additives specific to the recycled plastics used. Titanium (Ti), a photodegradation additive, was detected in 4 of the 5 wood plastic samples obtained, while hazardous chemical additives such as chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were not detected in any sample. However, the polymer composition of the samples was not homogeneous due to the heterogeneity of the post-consumer material available at the time of production. This work not only significantly reduced the environmental impact of burying the 72 tonnes of plastic waste and transforming it into a new product, but also trained more than 10,000 agents of change, fostering a culture of sustainability that can have a long-term positive impact on public health, the natural environment and future generations.