Happy together: Peroxide binds incompatible polymers for recycling
Polyethylene and polypropylene account for two-thirds of the world's plastics. But the polymers' popularity has an equally large downside. Because they have similar densities and physical properties, the polymers are difficult—and expensive—to separate when mechanically recycled together. What results is a weak, degraded material that really isn't good for anything.
Polyethylene and polypropylene account for two-thirds of the world's plastics. But the polymers' popularity has an equally large downside. Because they have similar densities and physical properties, the polymers are difficult—and expensive—to separate when mechanically recycled together. What results is a weak, degraded material that really isn't good for anything.
