Poster title: Assessing Biobased and Recycled Polymers for a More Sustainable Toilet Flush System Design
• Author(s):
Paula S. S. Lacerda 1,*, Tatiana Zhiltsova 2,3, Mónica S. A. Oliveira 2,3, Andreia Costa 4, Andreia F. Sousa 1
• Affiliation(s) (e.g., institution)
1 CICECO—Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
2 TEMA - Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
3 LASI - Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal.
4 OLI-Sistemas Sanitários, S.A. Travessa de Milão, Esgueira, 3800-314 Aveiro, Portugal.
• Abstract (as plain text)
Conventional plastics play a crucial role in our daily life due to a set of versatile properties, including lightweight, high durability, flexibility and low production costs. However, the massive production of polymers, reaching 413.8 Mt in 2023,[1] combined with their fossil-origin and low recycling rates, is causing severe environmental and public health issues. Therefore, finding sustainable solutions is essential. This includes using alternative bio-based polymers and implementing interventions at both the manufacturing stage and end-of-life phase, with a strong emphasis on reuse and recycling.
The project “OLIpush - Redesign for greater circularity and a smaller environmental footprint” focuses on finding more sustainable polymers to use in flush toilet system components. As part of the project, a comprehensive survey of commercially available bio-based polymers able to replace the fossil-based acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) was conducted. An in-depth evaluation of the physical and mechanical properties of these alternative polymers was carried out to ensure they meet the necessary properties requirements for toilet flush production.
Another key strategy involved studying the end-of-life materials from toilet flushes systems, namely poly(propylene) and poly(oxymethylene) waste. Their structural and thermal properties was analysed to assess their potential re-incorporation into the production process, supporting a more circular and sustainable approach.
Acknowledgements
Study developed under Project “Agenda ILLIANCE” [C644919832-00000035|Project nº 22], financed by PRR—Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência under Next Generation EU from the European Union. Also under CICECO-Aveiro University, UIDB/50011/2020 (DOI 10.54499/UIDB/50011/2020), UIDP/50011/2020 (DOI 10.54499/UIDP/50011/2020), LA/P/0006/2020 (DOI 10.54499/LA/P/0006/2020), financed by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) and under the project/support UID/00481 – Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA). PSSL acknowledges “Agenda ILLIANCE” for research contract.
Bibliography
[1] Plastics Europe. Plastics the Fast Facts 2023; 2023. https://plasticseurope.org/knowledge-hub/plastics-the-fast-facts-2024/