Work on the project is divided in four main areas: collection, transport, sorting and recycling:
COLLECTION: Work consisted on development, integration and validation of an innovative packaging collection system which increases the amount of plastic packaging waste collected, improving quantity and quality of plastic packaging waste collected. A system which is able to identify packaging generated by each family/citizen, with a view of implementing compensation policies to encourage optimal collection.
After technology implementation and installation on pilot cities (Valencia and Utrecht), these were proved on real environments. Valencia case is the most representative due to a full implementation of all the technologies and the results among PlastiCircle participants are quite remarkable in terms of quality of the selective collection and the implication and environmental awareness form the citizens.
TRANSPORT: In the framework of WP3 different technologies have been developed: route optimization system based on the information provided by the smart container developed on WP2. The main objective is reducing costs and emissions on the collection system. A eco-driving and truck traceability technology which provide information about the way of driving the trucks. Finally, an IoT platform has been developed for gathering all the data provided by the different technologies, includes the information related to the smart container (WP2), the results of characterization protocol applied and the reward system.
In the Utrecht pilot the scalability of the route optimization system has been tested and demonstrated, acknowledging the potential of the PlastICircle algorithm for its exploitation in comparison to other commercial alternatives.
SORTING: Near-infrared testing has been also carried out to acknowledge effectiveness and purity from PICVISA optical sorter were proved at CALAF test-stands for different fractions and packaging typologies achieving improved results for all fractions. On parallel, stabilization film conveyor was developed to increase the % recovery from films with positive results for conditions.
In this way, sorting technologies were explored and particularly tested for the packaging waste coming from pilot cities, to evidence impacts from a better selective collection and improved sorting infrastructure.
RECYCLING: WP5 work has been completed in defining the requirements for the manufacturers and sourcing recycled polymers from kerbside collected, household waste. Initial trials have been carried out by the manufacturers to test a large number of samples at lab scale to determine the quality, and then develop plans for modifying the polymers in order to meet the requirements. The main challenges have been around the quality of rPET form thermoforms and the difficulty in converting crystalline PP to amorphous for the use in bitumen modified membranes. There have been some successful pilot and production scales in using rPET tray rich (20% tray) material in foamed boards, injection moulded automotive parts and successful replacement of the crystalline PP in the roofing membrane. Three out of the 5 manufacturing partners have successfully demonstrated the use of recycled polymer from packaging in to their products. The remaining two partners have sourced material and are in the initial stages of trials at pilot and production scale.
