| heal.abstract |
The mechanical and chemical degradation of the agricultural plastic waste as well as its soil/moisture contamination, may affect its quality with regard to its exploitation for recycling or for energy recovery. These critical parameters were investigated in an effort to assess and control the quality of the agricultural plastic waste streams in the framework of the European research project Labelagriwaste1. Samples of agricultural plastics from greenhouses, low-medium tunnels, mulching films, bale wrapping films etc (from various cultivations, across Greece and Europe) were collected before and after use as well as after storage in the field and tested in the laboratory for mechanical properties degradation and for moisture-soil contamination. The results obtained indicate that the degree of mechanical degradation of the agricultural plastic waste is highly dependent on a combination of application and material characteristics. Among the dominant factors affecting the quality of the agricultural plastic waste included are the thickness of the film versus the period of exposure, the material composition and additives, the use of agrochemicals and the exposure of the material to contamination by soil during use and handling after the removal. The duration and conditions (location, exposure to the open field conditions) of the storage affect greatly the soil contamination and moisture level. The mechanical degradation tests are to be combined with on-going chemical and thermal analysis tests to establish the technical requirements the agricultural plastic waste should fulfil to be disposed accordingly (mechanical recycling, energy recovery, composting etc). |
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