Hazardous properties of plasticisers that may hinder the recycling of plastics

Plasticisers transform rigid polymers, especially PVC, into flexible and useful material, typically at 10-35% concentration. Four phthalate plasticizers are now banned in the EU (maximum concentration products of 0.1%). Are other plasticisers, used concentrations that make a product waste, unsafe? The hazardous properties plasticisers (Plastic Additives Initiative list) were collected from ECHA registration site. Eight (=12% 69) either skin sensitizers (2 substances) under evaluation by (7 substances), with potential ban end for persistence, bioaccumulation toxicity (PBT), endocrine disruption (ED) as substances very high concern (SVHC). Seventeen (=25% makes plastic when it becomes waste. sorting management options these additivated plastics discussed. recycling wastes is not prohibited. In short-term phase modern industrial plants, there low emission additives, which controlled occupational safety environmental regulations. On hand, long-term low-quality such littering (with weathering fragmentation) landfilling degradable case phthalates) scatter substances. containing “legacy” additives must be phased out. But compounds should recycled loop. They managed risk approach, like they new will become.