Plastics previously had a linear economic structure: raw material acquisition, production, and use. On the other hand, the adverse effects of their disposal, such as natural accumulation from unauthorized dumping, air pollutant emissions from incineration, and ecosystem destruction from ocean discharge, have created considerable concern. The quantity of recycled plastic has been increasing gradually, but it is still only 6% of total production. Recently, the Korean government has been promulgating various regulations in line with China's plastic import ban policy, starting with the 'Comprehensive Recyclable Waste Management Plan' in 2018 and announcing 'Plastic Abolition Measures' in 2020 and 2022. On 30 December 2021, the 'Korean-Circular Economy Implementation Plan' was announced. In addition, it was announced that the circular utilization rate (actual recycling rate) of plastics will be increased from 56% in 2021 to 60% by 2030 and 95% by 2050. Furthermore, the amount of waste plastic generated will be reduced by 20% by 2025 compared to 2021.
This study confirmed the possibility of closed-loop recycling of plastics generated from waste electrical and electronic products through Korea's EPR system by examining the types, possible amounts, and physical properties of recycled plastic among plastics generated from waste electrical and electronic products as of 2021. The standard processing volume of company S in the metropolitan area was used as a case of large electronic waste products. In the case of small and medium-sized electrical and electronic waste products, the amount of plastic generated was examined using data from company M in the metropolitan area. The actual production volume of company C, an actual recycled plastic producer, was used as an example. The actual amount of recycled plastic used was investigated. The basic properties of plastic were determined by taking measurements using a hydrometer (ALFA MIRRAGE EW-300SG), a universal material tester (QM100T-2T from QMERSYS), and an IZOD impact tester (QM700A from QMERSYS). The physical properties of the recycled products were compared with those of new materials. The possibilities were confirmed by comparison (actual customer specification requirements). The greenhouse gas reduction effect of using recycled plastic compared to new materials was investigated from a life cycle assessment perspective.
As a result, the types of recycled plastic that could be generated from large-sized electrical and electronic waste products were ABS, PP, and PS, and the estimated amount generated was 29270, 7853, and 4498 tons, respectively. In the case of small and medium-sized electrical and electronic waste products, the types of recycled plastic that could be generated were ABS, PP, and PS at 9289, 2492, and 1427 tons, respectively. The physical properties met the specifications of new materials and producers.
In the case of recycled plastics generated from waste electrical and electronic products, the range of physical properties is limited to match the physical properties of new materials used in electrical and electronic products. In addition, all generated ABS, PP, and PS plastics can be recycled through close-loop recycling if a management strategy is established through screening and inspection of recycling companies and recycled plastic producers for hazardous substances and additives that affect the physical properties of the recycled plastic. Therefore, closed-loop recycling is the best method because it supplies recycled plastics to manufacture new electrical and electronic products. The recycling method was appropriate and the first to confirm the amount of recycled plastic that can be generated in Korea's institutional system. The data obtained can be used as basic data for policies to expand recycled plastic.