Evaluating Combination of Solvent-Based Recycling and Mechanical Recycling of ABS Materials for Mitigating Plastic Pollution and Promoting Environmental Consciousness

Abstract

Plastics continue to transform everyday life with their versatility, lightweight, and durability, although the escalating issue of plastic pollution necessitates urgent action. The surge in single-use plastics and a disposable culture worsens this problem, emphasizing the need to reduce plastic production, establish circular material models, and phase out single-use plastic products. Addressing the environmental impact of plastics requires the development of technologies enabling more efficient recycling solutions, converting waste plastics into harmless substances. Recycling methods, combining solvent-based recycling and mechanical recycling, are pivotal in this context. This study specifically focuses on the solvent-based and mechanical recycling of ABS materials. Wiring devices are prepared using a blend of 70% virgin ABS material and 30% recycled ABS (rABS) material, with this loop repeated three times. The aim is to evaluate the quality and acceptability of products derived from the blend of virgin and recycled ABS material after three times of cycle. Wiring devices, manufactured from mechanically ground broken ABS, undergo rigorous testing in each cycle. The experiments aim to assess the suitability and performance of recycled ABS material for mass production, facilitating an in-depth analysis of the material's life cycle. The mechanical test results demonstrate favorable outcomes for the recycled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (rABS) materials, indicating comparable performance to the reference ABS virgin grade. While a marginal reduction in impact strength and tensile strength is observed when juxtaposed with the reference ABS virgin grade, the overall mechanical characteristics of rABS, remain consistent through successive recycling loops. These findings underscore the viability and resilience of rABS materials, positioning them as promising candidates for sustainable and environmentally conscious applications within the realm of polymer engineering. Through these efforts, the study contributes to sustainable plastic management practices, aligning with the broader goal of mitigating plastic pollution and promoting a more environmentally conscious approach.