Economic and logistical modeling for regional processing and recovery of engineering thermoplastics

The economics of processing and recovering engineering thermoplastics from electronic products is not well understood. This is in part due to uncertainty as to the optimum system for collection and processing, and the ongoing challenges in consolidation, identification and sorting of plastics. This paper presents the results from the development of an economics and logistics model for a regional resin processing facility. This work is being conducted in conjunction with the Tufts University Stakeholder Dialogues on Recycling Engineering Thermoplastics. The model focuses on thermoplastics from electronics, and looks at both post industrial waste from molders and OEMs as well as post consumer waste. The approach considers a material flow that returns recovered thermoplastics back into electronic products as well as into alternative applications. Input and participation by companies along the supply chain including OEMs, recyclers, and resin suppliers has been key to the validity of the models.