Title: From waste to resource: investigating the load carrying capacity of recycled plastic waste

Authors: Sahil V. Dharia; Chandrashekhar M. Choudhari; Mahesh S. Kavre

Addresses: Terna Engineering College, University of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Terna Engineering College, University of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Terna Engineering College, University of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, India

Abstract: Domestic waste plastic, which ends up in waste bins, has enormous potential to replace existing load-carrying materials after recycling. Prior to recycling plastic waste, it is essential to segregate the types of plastic waste at the source. This research aimed to investigate the behaviour of household recycled plastic waste under tensile and bending loads to determine its reusability post-recycling. To do this, the authors segregated plastic waste using a dry household waste source segregation bin. The segregated waste plastics included high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), other (OT) and other-aluminium laminated (OT (AL)) plastics. These plastics were shredded, melted and solidified into specimens. PP had the highest ultimate tensile strength, whereas the ultimate tensile strength of OT (AL) was the lowest. During the bending test, PET and PS broke at very low loads. Our findings offer recommendations and opportunities for further study.

Keywords: waste management; source segregation; plastic recycling; pollution; environment; sustainability; plastic waste management; waste recycling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2026.151367

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2026 Vol.39 No.1, pp.1 - 20

Received: 16 Jun 2024
Accepted: 29 Dec 2024
Published online: 26 Jan 2026 *

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