Influence of RFID tags on recyclability of plastic packaging

The use of Radio Frequency IDentification Technology (RFID) in the packaging sector is an important logistical improvement regarding the advantages offered by this technology in comparison with barcodes. Nevertheless, the presence of these devices in plastic packaging, and consequently in plastic wa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Waste management (Elmsford) 2011-06, Vol.31 (6), p.1133-1138
Main Authors: Aliaga, César, Ferreira, Beatriz, Hortal, Mercedes, Pancorbo, María Ángeles, López, José Manuel, Navas, Francisco Javier
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Devices
Exact sciences and technology
Manufacturing engineering
Materials Testing
Other wastes and particular components of wastes
Packaging
Pilots
Plastics
Pollution
Radio frequency identification
Radio Frequency Identification Device
Recycling
Recycling - methods
Refuse Disposal - methods
Tags
Waste management
Wastes
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Summary:The use of Radio Frequency IDentification Technology (RFID) in the packaging sector is an important logistical improvement regarding the advantages offered by this technology in comparison with barcodes. Nevertheless, the presence of these devices in plastic packaging, and consequently in plastic waste, can cause several problems in the recycling plants due to the materials included in these devices. In this study, the mentioned recycling constraints have been experimentally identified in a pilot scale recycling study consisting in three recycling tests with an increasing presence of RFID tags. Differences in each test were evaluated. Furthermore, the quality of the recycled material of each test was studied through the injection and testing of tests probes. The results of the pilot scale recycling tests did not show a decrease in the quality of the recycled plastic due to the presence of RFID tags. Nevertheless, several operational problems during the recycling process were observed such as the obstruction of the screens, which lessened the process yield and created process interruptions, as well as the loss of extruded plastic during the process. These recycling constraints cannot be directly extrapolated to the industrial plants due to the different working scales. Nevertheless, technological solutions are proposed in order to avoid these recycling constraints if they appear.
ISSN:0956-053X
1879-2456
DOI:10.1016/j.wasman.2010.12.015