Polyolefin-Based Cladding Panels from Discarded Fishing Ropes: A Sustainable Solution for Managing Fishing Gear Waste in Isolated Islands-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Polyolefin-Based Cladding Panels from Discarded Fishing Ropes: A Sustainable Solution for Managing Fishing Gear Waste in Isolated Islands

Published:2024-08-16 Issue:3 Volume:2 Page:337-353
ISSN:2813-0391
Container-title:Waste
language:en
Short-container-title:Waste

Author:

Belmokhtar Zakariae¹^ORCID,Sanchez-Diaz Simon¹^ORCID,Cousin Patrice¹,Elkoun Saïd²^ORCID,Robert Mathieu¹^ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Departement of Civil Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500, Boulevard de l’Université, Sherbrooke, QC J1K2R1, Canada

2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500, Boulevard de l’Université, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada

Abstract

This study investigates the potential for recycling fishing rope waste from the Magdalen Islands, Canada, into sustainable wall cladding panels, addressing both environmental concerns and waste management challenges. A comprehensive characterization of the fishing ropes was conducted using various analytical techniques to assess their suitability for recycling. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) identified polyethylene (PE) and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) as the main polymers present in the ropes, with a composition of approximately 25% PE and 75% PP. The effects of photodegradation were evaluated through carbonyl index analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile testing, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The results showed reduced crystallinity, a 20% decrease in tensile strength, and lower molecular weights due to environmental exposure in comparison with unused ropes. However, melt flow rate (MFR) measurements aligned with virgin HDPE and PP values used in rope manufacturing, indicating suitable processability for recycling. Panels produced from recycled fishing ropes exhibited lower flexural and impact properties compared to commercial alternatives due to the presence of mineral contaminants and voids in the panels as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This comprehensive investigation provides valuable insights into the potential repurposing of fishing rope waste, contributing to the development of sustainable waste management strategies for coastal communities.

Funder

MITACS

Publisher

MDPI AG

Link

https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0391/2/3/19/pdf

Reference86 articles.

1. Ritchie, H., Samborska, V., and Roser, M. (2024, May 21). “Plastic Pollution”. Available online: https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution.

2. United Nations Environment Programme (2024, January 01). “Plastic Pollution”. Available online: https://www.unep.org/plastic-pollution.

3. (2023, May 17). Greenpeace, “Ghost Gear: The Abandoned Fishing Nets Haunting Our Oceans”, Greenpeace. Available online: https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2019/11/8f290a4f-ghostgearfishingreport2019_greenpeace.pdf.

4. Lebreton, L., Slat, B., Ferrari, F., Sainte-Rose, B., Aitken, J., Marthouse, R., Hajbane, S., Cunsolo, S., Schwarz, A., and Levivier, A. (2018). Evidence that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is rapidly accumulating plastic. Sci. Rep., 8.

5. Good, T.P., June, J.A., Etnier, M.A., and Broadhurst, G. (2009). Ghosts of the Salish Sea: Threats to Marine Birds in Puget Sound and the Northwest Straits from Derelict Fishing Gear, NOAA Fisheries/National Marine Fisheries Service, Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center.