Work

Exploration of Weak Acid Solvent Usage in the Separation of Aluminum (Al) from Multilayer Plastic Waste

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Multilayer plastic waste is difficult to biodegrade, causing environmental problems. An alternative to processing multilayer plastic waste is to separate aluminum from the polymer using a delamination process with acid solvents. In this study, a combination of chemical (acid solvents), thermal (90oC), and mechanical (stirring at 300 rpm) methods was employed to evaluate the efficiency of delamination of multilayer plastic packaging. Several weak acid solvents, including acetic acid, citric acid, and formic acid, were tested at a concentration of 30% and a reaction time of 10 minutes. The method involved immersing cut multilayer plastic samples into acid solutions under controlled conditions, followed by filtration and drying to recover the aluminum layer. The best result was obtained using 30% formic acid, which successfully separated and recovered 0.940 g or 87% of aluminum from a 1.08 g multilayer sample. This process demonstrates an effective, relatively low-cost approach to enhance the recyclability of multilayer plastic waste, contributing to a more sustainable plastic waste management strategy.

Source: Indonesian Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability

DOI: 10.26554/ijems.2025.9.3.98-104

Authors: Selpiana Selpiana, Nina Haryani, Rizka Wulandari Putri

Institution: Sriwijaya University

Language: English

Topic: Recycling and Waste Management Techniques

Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $50