https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2021.091
Published: Kem. Ind. 71 (9-10) (2022) 623–632
Paper reference number: KUI-91/2021
Paper type: Review
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Plastic Waste Management

M. Budiša and A. Ptiček Siročić

Abstract

In the last fifty years, there has been a significant increase in plastic waste, which has become an increasing environmental problem due to uncontrolled dumping, with significant consequences on living ecosystems. Plastic is an important and ubiquitous material in the economy and everyday life, and nearly 26 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually in the countries of the European Union. About 30 % of this waste is recycled, a significant part is recovered for energy, and part is still disposed of in landfills. Recycling plastic waste preserves natural raw materials such as oil and natural gas, which are used to produce plastic materials, and reduces emissions into the environment and energy consumption. Under the Resource Efficient Europe Plan, plastic waste is recognised as an important raw material for the production of new products, and is one of the key raw materials in the transition to a circular economy. This paper presents general possibilities for recycling plastic waste. Based on the indicative examination results of the composition of separately collected plastic waste in Zagreb, an assessment of the possibility of its recycling is given. In the Republic of Croatia, plastic waste is a major problem since it is inadequately sorted, and therefore represents a significant financial burden for utility companies that manage it within public service of municipal waste collection.

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Keywords

plastic waste, polymers, waste management, sorting plants, municipal waste, recycling, recovery