In-depth analysis of plastic in household residual waste and its potential for increased material recycling and reduced climate impact

The purpose of the project is to provide an increased understanding of the climate impact of waste fractions in household residual waste. This is done by analyzing waste fractions containing plastic, for example textiles, nappies and sanitary products, with regard to, among other things, the proportion of fossil and biogenic carbon, polymer type and content of dangerous and unwanted materials.

With this increased knowledge, it is hoped that the project and its results will contribute to a better basis for decisions on which measures such as CCU, chemical recycling or post-sorting followed by mechanical recycling should be prioritized to meet the process and manufacturing industry's needs for recycled polymer raw materials with the desired quality and traceability.

Today, a number of different initiatives are underway and planned to increase the recycling of plastic packaging in particular. In addition to continuous information efforts for households about the importance of source sorting, there is a requirement from 2027 for the collection of packaging from households close to the property.

Through an increased level of service for the consumer, it is hoped that source sorting and material recycling will increase, which has been confirmed in several studies. Studies in the area also show that even with collection close to the property, significant amounts of packaging are found in the residual waste, something that is noticeable among apartment buildings.

Today, we have a great deal of knowledge about the composition of waste in households' residual waste because municipalities carry out sample analyzes of the waste on a regular basis. However, today's knowledge is limited in terms of climate impact from residual waste's constituent waste fractions.

In addition, there is currently a knowledge gap regarding the presence of hazardous substances and unwanted material in the various waste fractions in the residual waste. This affects the conditions for handling plastic-containing waste fractions in other ways than through energy recovery, such as chemical or mechanical recovery, in order to then be able to utilize the recycled plastic raw material in industry.

On a regular basis, the City of Gothenburg carries out sorting analyzes of the household's residual waste, analyzes in which the residual waste is sorted into roughly 20 different waste fractions. 14 the selected waste fractions from this residual waste must be analyzed in more detail within the framework of this project, for example, the proportion of each polymer type in the various waste fractions and how large a proportion of each waste fraction consists of dirt and liquid must be investigated and chemical analyzes carried out.

The project's goal

Increase understanding within the process, manufacturing and recycling industry of today's and future potential of secondary plastic raw material in household residual waste and increase understanding of the complexity, sorting and washing needs to be able to utilize these streams.
Quantify the current and future climate impact from household residual waste and its constituent waste fractions during energy recovery. This takes into account that different plastics emit different amounts of carbon dioxide depending on the type of polymer, presence and amount of additives, but also based on upcoming changes in legislation such as the introduction of collection of packaging close to properties.
Identify the presence of certain hazardous substances and unwanted material in relevant waste fractions containing plastic in household residual waste that complicate various recycling processes such as chemical and mechanical recycling.

Participating Parties

RISE, ENVIR, Renova, Stenungsund Municipality, Gothenburg City

Period

04/03/2023 – 10/30/2023

Total budget

SEK 600,000 (Part of a larger project co-financed by Waste Sweden and Renova's development fund)