Plastic Waste Management

As a critical discipline within Environmental Engineering, Plastic Waste Management applies systematic engineering principles to manage the entire lifecycle of plastic materials, from their generation to final disposal. This field encompasses a hierarchy of preferred strategies, including source reduction, reuse, and various forms of recycling such as mechanical and advanced chemical processes that break down polymers into new feedstocks. It also involves the engineering of waste-to-energy systems and the design and operation of sanitary landfills for residual waste, with the overarching objective of minimizing environmental pollution, conserving resources, and transitioning towards a circular economy by transforming plastic waste from a liability into a valuable resource.

1. Introduction to Plastics and Plastic Waste
   1. Fundamentals of Polymers
      1. Definition and Basic Chemistry
      2. Monomers and Polymerization
      3. Polymer Structure and Properties
      4. Additives and Fillers
      5. Thermoplastics vs. Thermosets
   2. Common Types of Plastics
      1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
         1. Properties and Characteristics
         2. Common Applications
         3. Waste Stream Sources
      2. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
         1. Properties and Characteristics
         2. Common Applications
         3. Waste Stream Sources
      3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
         1. Properties and Characteristics
         2. Common Applications
         3. Waste Stream Sources
      4. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
         1. Properties and Characteristics
         2. Common Applications
         3. Waste Stream Sources
      5. Polypropylene (PP)
         1. Properties and Characteristics
         2. Common Applications
         3. Waste Stream Sources
      6. Polystyrene (PS)
         1. Properties and Characteristics
         2. Common Applications
         3. Waste Stream Sources
      7. Other Plastic Types
         1. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
         2. Polycarbonate (PC)
         3. Polylactic Acid (PLA)
         4. Engineering Plastics
   3. Sources of Plastic Waste Generation
      1. Municipal Solid Waste
         1. Household Packaging
         2. Single-Use Items
         3. Consumer Products
      2. Industrial and Commercial Waste
         1. Manufacturing Scrap
         2. Packaging Materials
         3. Distribution Waste
      3. Construction and Demolition Waste
         1. Pipes and Fittings
         2. Insulation Materials
         3. Building Components
      4. Agricultural Plastics
         1. Mulch Films
         2. Greenhouse Materials
         3. Irrigation Systems
      5. Medical and Healthcare Waste
         1. Disposable Medical Devices
         2. Pharmaceutical Packaging
         3. Personal Protective Equipment
   4. Global Plastic Waste Landscape
      1. Production Statistics
      2. Consumption Patterns
      3. Waste Generation Rates
      4. Regional Variations
      5. Major Contributing Sectors