Polymers, The Environment & Sustainable Development

"…an accessible treatment of this crucial area…" (Materials World, May 2003)

In light of new regulations in the EU, America, and Japan, polymer producers have been forced to recycle. This book provides discussion on the impact of reusing polymers such as plastic and rubber on the environment.

• Timely information on the environmental impact of polymer recycling
• Each chapter contains relevant sample questions and answers
• Contains chapters on the economics and legislation of recycling, and on LCA
• Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of polymer recycling

Essential reading for students, as well as an invaluable reference guide for technologists and industrialists, in the vast arena of environmental and polymer sciences.

Adisa Azapagic is Professor of Sustainable Engineering. Her research interests and expertise include life cycle modeling and optimization, life cycle assessment, industrial ecology, sustainability indicators, multiple criteria decision analysis and corporate social responsibility. Azapagic is the author of over 130 publications in these areas, including a book on Polymers, the Environment and Sustainable Development also published by Wiley. She is also interested in sustainability education and is a member of the European Federation of Chemical engineering (EFCE) Working Party on Education. She is a UNESCO/TWAIS/ICSU Visiting Scientist at the Instituto Technologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM), Mexico City.

Chapter 1: The Environment and Sustainable Development: An Integrated Strategy for Polymers.

Introduction to Sustainable Development.

Sustainable Development Issues.

Polymers: An Issue for Sustainability.

Integrated Resource and Waste Management.

Resource and Waste Management Policies for Polymers.

The Book Structure and Life Guide.

References and Further Reading.

Revision Exercises.

Chapter 2: Polymers in Everyday Use: Principles, Properties and Environmental.

Effects.

Introduction.

Basic Principles of Polymer Chemistry.

The Influence of the Environment on Polymers.

Summary and Learning Outcomes.

References and Further Reading.

Revision Exercises.

Chapter 3: Feeding the Waste Streams: Sources of Polymers in the Environment.

Introduction.

Polymer Production and Consumption.

Waste Stream Categories.

Recovery and Recycling of Plastic Wastes in Different Countries.

Summary and Learning Outcomes.

References and Further Reading.

Revision Exercises.

Cha pter 4: Managing Polymer Waste: Technologies for Separation and Recycling.

Recycling Options.

Separation and Identification of Plastics.

Process Technologies for Plastics Recycling.

Summary and Learning Outcomes.

References and Further Reading.

Revision Exercises.

Chapter 5: Drives and Barriers for Polymer Recycling: Social, Legal and Economic Factors.

Introduction.

Recovery of Plastic Waste: Logistics and Socio-Economic Issues.

Reprocessing of Plastic Waste: Technical, Institutional and Economic Issues.

Other Factors Affecting Polymer Recycling: Policy Issues and Public Acceptability.

Summary and Learning Outcomes.

References and Further Reading.

Revision Exercises.

Chapter 6: Design for the Environment: The Life Cycle Approach.

Introduction.

Life Cycle Thinking: The Approach and Tools.

Design for the Environment: Life Cycle Production Design.

Summary and Learning Outcomes.

References and Further Reading.

Revision Exercises.

Chapter 7: Environmental Impacts of Recycling.

Introduction.

Environmental Impacts of Recycling: Life Cycle Considerations.

LCA Case Studies of Recycling Options and Technologies.

Summary and Learning Outcomes.

References and Further Reading.

Revision Exercises.

Chapter 8: Future Directions: Towards Sustainable Technology.

Introduction.

Improving the Efficiency of Polymerisation: The Principles of Green.

Chemistry.

Design for Recyclability.

Developing New Processing Technologies.

Conclusions: Towards Sustainable Development.

Summary and Learning Outcomes.

References and Further Reading.