Skip Ribbon Commands Skip to main content
 

 Global - Sci - Tech - News - Content

 
​Fluorescent molecule could verify recycled content of plastic products Update: 23-09-2022
While many companies may claim that their products contain recycled (as opposed to 100% virgin) plastic, how can we know if they're telling the truth? According to a new study, a fluorescent molecule could blow the whistle on manufacturers who are lying.

By Ben Coxworth

September 21, 2022

Facebook

Twitter

Flipboard

LinkedIn


Depending on how much simulated recycled plastic is present within them, a series of plastic samples fluoresce in differing colors and intensities (Photo credit: Adapted from ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2022

VIEW 1 IMAGES

First of all, why would companies falsely claim that they were using recycled plastic? Well, for starters, doing so might gain them some sales with eco-minded consumers. Additionally, they could avoid paying taxes that some countries are imposing on plastic products which contain little or no recycled plastic.

In order to thwart such deception, scientists at the University of Manchester looked to a food-safe molecule known as 4,4,-bis(2-benzoxazolyl) stilbene … or BBS, for short.

The researchers added small amounts of BBS to melted high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which was subsequently mixed with virgin HDPE resin in varying ratios. Their end result was a group of HPDE samples which contained anywhere from 0 to 100% simulated recycled content.

When those samples were exposed to 365-nanometer ultraviolet light, the BBS molecules within them reacted by fluorescing. It was found that the intensity, duration and color of the fluorescence varied according to the percentage of BBS-tagged HDPE within each sample.

Therefore, by measuring those parameters, it became possible to accurately gauge how much of the simulated recycled plastic was present in any one of the samples. The technology was also successfully tested on plastics such as polypropylene and PET (polyethylene terephthalate), in which it could quantify simulated recycled content as low as 10% by weight.

According to the scientists, the presence of BBS in single-use plastic products doesn't adversely affect their quality or appearance. It is hoped that ultimately, manufacturers could add the molecule to virgin plastics as they're being recycled, so their content could subsequently be measured in other products made from them.

A paper on the research was recently published in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.

Source: American Chemical Society via EurekAlert

Posts on:
Select a date from the calendar.
 
 

 Video Clip

 
  • The NA Chairwoman - Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan - hosted a reception in Hanoi on Jan 29 for Mr Tsutomu Takebe, the special advisor to Japan - Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, who confirmed his continued contributions to developing 2 countries’ relations
  • The National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has complimented Vietnam’s U23 football team – the runner-up of the Asian Football Confederation U23 Championship (AFC), on their excellent performance and historical achievements at the continental spo
  • Vietnam U23 welcomed home: State PM Phuc welcomed in Hanoi on January 28 U23 Vietnam – the runner - up of the Asian Football Confederation U23 Championship - AFC in China, praising their excellent performance and achievements at the continental tournament
  • U23 Vietnamese football team’s return wows the foreign press: the impressive performances of the red - shirts have left a mark on the international media, as well as on the hearts of millions of football fans not only in Vietnam but all over the region
  • The Asian Football Confederation has an article praising Vietnam’s final game in Changzhou, China; it said the match at the final round wrapped up Vietnam’s memorable journey but it will live forever in the memory of fans in this Southeast Asian country
  •  

     Photo Library