• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2017

Pyrolysis characteristics of waste plastic films were investigated by using a thermogravimetric analysis and pyrolyzer-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Thermogravimetric analysis results revealed that the pyrolysis of waste plastic films can be divided into two distinct reactions; (1) the decomposition reaction of starch at between 200 and $370^{\circ}C$ and (2) that of other plastic polymers such as PS, PP, PE at between 370 and $510^{\circ}C$. The kinetic analysis results obtained by using the revised Ozawa method indicated that the apparent activation energy of the pyrolysis reaction of waste plastic films was also changed dramatically according to the different decomposition reactions of two major waste plastic film components. Py-GC/MS results also revealed that the typical pyrolyzates of each polymer in waste plastic films were levoglucosan (starch), terephthalic acid (PET), styrene monomer, dimer, and trimer (PS), methylated alkenes (PP), and triplet peaks (PE) composed of alkadiene/alkene/alkane. The phthalate, used as a polymer additive, was also detected on the pyrogram of waste plastic films mixture.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Resources Recycling Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.116-121
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• 2003

In this study, the thermal degradation process has been investigated at various reaction temperature$(350{\sim}400^{\circ}C)$ and times$(30{\sim}120\;min)$ in order to recycle waste plastic films as solid state wax. Waste plastic films were easily melted by adding a small amount of waxes. The effects of wax addition and nitrogen flow rate on their thermal degradation properties were investigated. FT-IR, GPC and viscometer were used to analyze properties of the solid wax including the structure, molicular weight distribution and melt viscosity. The average molecular weight of solid wax was decreased with increasing the reaction time, temperature and amount of wax added, Also, the viscosity of solid wax decreased with increasing the stirring speed at a constant reaction temperature and time, and its viscosity got close to zero above $390^{\circ}C$.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.19-24
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• 2007

Reefs are the marine structure that can give resting, inhabiting, feeding and nursing spaces for a variety of fishes. Usually artificial reefs are made of cement and steels respectively in Japan as well as in Korea. However since resources deficiency has been getting serious, other materials are taken into consideration for the basic bodies of artificial reefs. About 300 thousand tons of waste agricultural plastic films are generated every yew in Korea, but no effective recycling techniques have been developed. In this sense, artificial reefs made of waste agricultural plastic films are the most representative symbol of the recycled products in the Resource Recycling Era. In particular, since these reefs could be made of the semi-cleaned waste agricultural plastic films that still contain high portion of soil, it is very environmentally friendly not only in manufacturing process but also in using under water. Furthermore they have some evident advantages as follows; 1) high fish swarming effect 2) good initial attachment of the marine growths 3) extremely low corrosion to brine 4) easy adjustment of the gravity 5) economical manufacture, transportation and jettison 6) excellent safety to ecosystem caused by lower elution of toxic substances 7) good recyclable property after application and so on.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1561-1572
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• 2022

Plastic pollution has been recognized as a serious environmental problem, and microbial degradation of plastics is a potential, environmentally friendly solution to this. Here, we analyzed and compared microbial communities on waste plastic films (WPFs) buried for long periods at four landfill sites with those in nearby soils to identify microbes with the potential to degrade plastics. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra of these WPFs showed that most were polyethylene and had signs of oxidation, such as carbon-carbon double bonds, carbon-oxygen single bonds, or hydrogen-oxygen single bonds, but the presence of carbonyl groups was rare. The species richness and diversity of the bacterial and fungal communities on the films were generally lower than those in nearby soils. Principal coordinate analysis of the bacterial and fungal communities showed that their overall structures were determined by their geographical locations; however, the microbial communities on the films were generally different from those in the soils. For the pulled data from the four landfill sites, the relative abundances of Bradyrhizobiaceae, Pseudarthrobacter, Myxococcales, Sphingomonas, and Spartobacteria were higher on films than in soils at the bacterial genus level. At the species level, operational taxonomic units classified as Bradyrhizobiaceae and Pseudarthrobacter in bacteria and Mortierella in fungi were enriched on the films. PICRUSt analysis showed that the predicted functions related to amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism and xenobiotic degradation were more abundant on films than in soils. These results suggest that specific microbial groups were enriched on the WPFs and may be involved in plastic degradation.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.10-20
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• 2008

In order to study the behaviors of inorganic fillers in recycling of the waste agricultural plastic films, the washed PE fluffs from Shihwa and Jungeup Plant belonging to ENVICO were used respectively. First of all, the test pellets were manufactured by adding of inorganic fillers suchlike calcium carbonate and calpet by certain portions to PE fluffs and then the tested sheets were formed. The mechanical and thermal properties of the samples were measured and compared with others. The items measured were tensile, flexural, Izod impact, HDT, MFT, and so on. Morphologies were also investigated for various samples using the SEM. Finally, optimum ratios between recycled PE and inorganic additives were found out for the best products in physical condition as well as in economic point of view.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.131-151
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• 1970

A new method of plastic film coating has been investigated to extend storage life of apples. The film coating was effected by dipping fresh apples in a plastic emulsion. The effect of plastic film coating on the preservation of freshness, respiratory activities and chemical components during storage, has been investigated on four leading varieties of apples. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The effect of film coating on storage life of apples was apparent, resulting in delay of after-ripening, shriveling, softening or physiological impediment as well as reducing consumption of reserve materials and waste fruits. 2. Change in the partial pressure of gas, i.e., increase in carbon dioxide and decrease in oxygen in apple tissue was resulted by the plastic film coating, suggesting that the film deposited on the fruit interfered with the diffusion of gases formed therein. 3. The effects of plastic film coating on the fruit storage varied with the type of plastic emulsions, coating temperature, varieties of apples and degree of fruit ripening. As regard to apple varieties, good results were obtained with PVA 217 for both American Summer Pearmain and Jonathan, and PVC 443 for McIntosh. 4. Reduction in the diminution rates of L-malic acid, ascorbic acid and soluble pectin etc. during storage of apples may account for the improved storage life of the fruits treated with plastic films.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.691-709
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• 2007

Concerns on environmental waste problems caused by non-biodegradable petrochemical-based plastic packaging materials as well as consumer's demand for high quality food products has caused an increasing interest in developing biodegradable packaging materials using annually renewable natural biopolymers such as polysaccharides and proteins. However, inherent shortcomings of natural polymer-based packaging materials such as low mechanical properties and low water resistance are causing a major limitation for their industrial use. By the way, recent advent of nanocomposite technology rekindled interests on the use of natural biopolymers in the food packaging application. Polymer nanocomposites, especially natural biopolymer-layered silicate nanocomposites, exhibit markedly improved packaging properties due to their nanometer size dispersion. These improvements include increased mechanical strength, decreased gas permeability, and increased water resistance. Additionally, biologically active ingredients can be added to impart the desired functional properties to the resulting packaging materials. Consequently, natural biopolymer-based nanocomposite packaging materials with bio-functional properties have huge potential for application in the active food packaging industry. In this review, recent advances in the preparation and characterization of natural biopolymer-based nanocomposite films, and their potential use in food packaging applications are addressed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.452-459
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• 2018

Objectives: We aimed to examine whether dental waste was being managed adequately at different types of dental institutions in City D in South Korea. Methods: The staff responsible for disinfection at 101 dental offices and clinics (six dentistry departments of general hospitals, 12 dental hospitals, and 83 dental clinics) was interviewed. Results: Solid suction pump waste was handled appropriately at four of the general hospital dentistry departments (66.7%), six dental hospitals (50.0%), and 15 dental clinics (18.1%). Solid spittoon waste was handled appropriately at four general hospital dentistry departments (66.7%), seven dental hospitals (58.3%), and 14 dental clinics (16.9%). Developer and fixer were handled appropriately by a subcontractor at two general hospital dentistry departments (100.0%), five dental hospitals (100.0%), and 24 dental clinics (75.0%). Impression materials were handled appropriately at four general hospital dentistry departments (66.7%), six dental hospitals (50.0%), and 11 dental clinics (13.3%). The plastic covers of intra-oral radiography films were handled appropriately at five general hospital dentistry departments (100.0%), eight dental hospitals (72.7%), and 22 dental clinics (30.1%). Conclusion: South Korea must implement detailed and specialized guidelines for the disposal of solid and general medical waste from dental institutions. Moreover, waste disposal training should be provided annually, and not only once every three years.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.24-32
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• 2010

In the present work, a new separation system with rotating rakes has been developed to separate the film-based plastics from the recyclable materials, and environment assessment is also carried out during operation of the device. Capacity of the device was about 5.3 ton/hr at a rakes rotation speed of 26.0 rpm (the number of rakes in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trials were 39, 52 and 48, respectively) and a belt conveyor speed of 38.5m/min, which satisfied the initial design capacity (5.0 ton/hr). Recovery ratio and purity of the plastic films were 92.6% and 96.5%, respectively at a rotation speed of 28 rpm. The levels of noise, vibration and particulate emission were below material standard regulatory limits. Plastic refused fuel (RPF) was also prepared with the recovered films. The calorific value and chlorine content of the prepared RPF were 9,740 kcal/kg and 0.18%, respectively which satisfy the first grade quality specification of the Korean RPF standard. As a result of this work, recovery of energy resources from the municipal solid waste is possible by adopting the developed separation device.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2018

Paper packs, glass bottles, metal cans, and plastic materials are classified according to packaging material recycling groups that are Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). In the case of waste paper pack, the compressed cartons are dissociated to separate polyethylene films and other foreign substance, and then these are washed, pulverized and dried to produce toilet paper. Glass bottle for recycling is provided to the bottle manufacturers after the process of collecting the waste glass bottle, removing the foreign substance, sorting by color, crushing, raw materializing process. Waste glass recycling technology of Korea is largely manual, except for removal of metal components and low specific gravity materials. Metal can is classified into iron and aluminum cans through an automatic sorting machine, compressed, and reproduced as iron and aluminum through a blast furnace. In the case of composite plastic material, the selected compressed product is crushed and then recycled through melt molding and refined products are produced through solid fuel manufacturing steps through emulsification and compression molding through pyrolysis. In the recycling process of paper packs, glass bottles, metal cans, and plastic materials, the influx of recycled materials and other substances interferes with the recycling process and increases the recycling cost and time. Therefore, the government needs to improve the legal system which is necessary to use materials and structure that are easy to recycle from the design stage of products or packaging materials.