| Title | Expert Survey on the Impact of Cardboard and Paper Recycling Processes, Fiber-Based Composites/Laminates and Regulations, and Their Significance for the Circular Economy and the Sustainability of the German Paper Industry |
|---|---|
| ID_Doc | 5761 |
| Authors | Belle, J; Hirtz, D; Sängerlaub, S |
| Title | Expert Survey on the Impact of Cardboard and Paper Recycling Processes, Fiber-Based Composites/Laminates and Regulations, and Their Significance for the Circular Economy and the Sustainability of the German Paper Industry |
| Year | 2024 |
| Published | Sustainability, 16, 15 |
| Abstract | The European Community is striving for a sustainable society as suggested by the UN's 2015 sustainability goals. The circular economy in the paper and packaging industry is of particular importance here because it consumes many resources. The paper industry in Germany with a fiber recycling rate of 85% in 2022 is already a pioneer and role model for other industries. All materials should be recyclable. Fiber-based composites/laminates are currently becoming increasingly important. Essential questions are: which collection systems and recycling paths should be used for fiber-based composites/laminates, and where are there currently challenges with recycling? To answer these questions, 58 questionnaires answered by German experts and practitioners in the German paper industry were evaluated. Wet-strength papers, adhesives, plastic coatings and wax dispersions were perceived as a problem by 70% of all respondents, and packaging residues by almost 40%. Additionally, 90% stated that the composition of paper for recycling changes regularly due to legislation, trends and innovations, while 60% attributed this to recent changes in legislation. For at least 80%, virgin fibers from packaging are valuable for paper recycling, but only 15% of respondents stated that virgin fibers compensate for the disadvantages of rejects. Almost 90% expected challenges with fiber-based composites/laminates in the existing paper for recycling processes. Overall, the collection and recycling of fiber-based composites/laminates in conventional paper for recycling collection and the recycling system is not desirable. An integrated collection, sorting and recycling system should be considered, especially because a further increase in fiber-based composites is to be expected. In the end, the design for recycling and following recycling guidelines are the key to the recycling industry in the future. Good recyclability of fiber-based composites/laminates would improve their acceptance by paper recyclers. Their virgin fibers are particularly valuable. The results of our study are relevant to the recycling and fiber industry, standard-setting bodies, regulatory authorities and research. The limitation of this study is that experts from the paper industry were interviewed, but the recyclability of the fiber materials was not analyzed by measurement, and the machine technology of the interviewees could not be examined and evaluated. |
| https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/15/6610/pdf?version=1722582354 |
Similar Articles
| ID | Score | Article |
|---|---|---|
22731
|
Patton, N Composites And Sustainability: What Is The State Of The Art(2023) | |
| 6753
|
Krauklis, AE; Karl, CW; Gagani, AI; Jorgensen, JK Composite Material Recycling Technology-State-of-the-Art and Sustainable Development for the 2020s(2021)Journal Of Composites Science, 5, 1 | |
| 28927
|
Gigli, S; Landi, D; Germani, M Cost-benefit analysis of a circular economy project: a study on a recycling system for end-of-life tyres(2019) | |
| 67960
|
Jiang, XL; Shao, MH; Bateer, B Economic and environmental analysis of composite recycling techniques for the design of future waste management supply chains(2023)Clean Technologies And Environmental Policy, 25, 5 | |
| 1120
|
Lee, BJ; Ko, P A Way to Improve Recycling Potential of Fibers and to Achieve Circular Economy(2024)Bioresources, 19, 1 | |
| 9534
|
Van Ewijk, S; Stegemann, JA; Ekins, P Global Life Cycle Paper Flows, Recycling Metrics, and Material Efficiency(2018)Journal Of Industrial Ecology, 22.0, 4 | |
| 29608
|
Meinl, G; Tempel, L; Schiefer, M; Seidemann, C How old are fibers in paper for recycling and what is their life expectancy? A contribution to the life cycle assessment of wood fiber-based products(2017)Tappi Journal, 16.0, 7 | |
| 5402
|
Ozola, ZU; Vesere, R; Kalnins, SN; Blumberga, D Paper Waste Recycling. Circular Economy Aspects(2019)Environmental And Climate Technologies, 23, 3 | |
| 21582
|
Abushammala, H; Masood, MA; Ghulam, ST; Mao, J On the Conversion of Paper Waste and Rejects into High-Value Materials and Energy(2023)Sustainability, 15.0, 8 | |
| 22021
|
Hamouda, T; Aly, NM Circular Economy of Composite Materials Using Waste Jute Fibers and Recycled Polyester Fibers as a Reinforcement for Packaging Applications(2022)Egyptian Journal Of Chemistry, 65.0, 13 |