The impact of plastics in municipal waste incineration was evaluated in this study. Switzerland has probably the most extensive experience now from plastic waste incineration because no landfill is admitted and plastics have to be recycled either by material or by energy recovery. It is observed that the incineration of PVC, including its additives, in a municipal incinerator is nowadays without impact on the environment. The equipment of modern incinerators is indeed able to avoid (...)

The long-term behaviour of various PVC products was investigated in laboratory-scale landfill simulation while leachate samples from various true landfill sites were analysed for phthalate degradation products. No degradation of PVC polymer was observed. The plasticisers (phthalic acid esters) found partially lost from PVC products would in fact be eliminated through bio-degradation. A preliminary assessment of the environmental impact for PVC products in landfills was performed and the (...)

The study examined the formation of dioxins, PCBs, benzene, polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAH) and other substances from combustion of plastic particles and newspaper in an experimental incinerator. The quantity of PCDD/F and PCBs in terms of TEQs were comparable to blank levels for nylon, ABS and negligible for polyethylene (PE) , polypropylene (PP) and PET. Higher levels for PVC were considered due to the influence of Cl content but the values are several orders of magnitude lesser when (...)