Raman spectroscopy for identifying postconsumer packaging plastics for recycling
Authors:
- Letícia Parada MoreiraLMLetícia Parada Moreira
- Amanda SelingerASAmanda Selinger
- Helen Sadauskas-HenriqueHSHelen Sadauskas-Henrique
- Rodrigo Brasil ChoueriRCRodrigo Brasil Choueri
- Paloma Kachel Gusso-ChoueriPGPaloma Kachel Gusso-Choueri
- Marcos Tadeu Tavares PachecoMPMarcos Tadeu Tavares Pacheco
- Landulfo SilveiraLSLandulfo Silveira
- 8 August 2025
- journal article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association
- Vol. 75 (9) , 719-734
Abstract
This study demonstrates the potential of Raman spectroscopy as an effective and accurate tool for identifying and classifying postconsumer plastics, achieving 100% accuracy for plastics classified from types 1 to 6 according to the recycling triangles. The ability to differentiate plastic types, including the detection of dyes commonly used in packaging and labels, can significantly enhance sorting efficiency in recycling facilities. By improving plastic separation, this method can contribute to more sustainable recycling practices, reducing contamination in recycled materials and supporting the development of a circular economy.Keywords
This publication has 60 references indexed in Scilit:
- Valorization of recycled PET for yarn manufacturing and knitwear fabrics used for apparel applicationsPolymer Bulletin, 2022
- Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy2021
- Real-time identification of plastics by types using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopyJournal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 2018
- Identification of black plastics realized with the aid of Raman spectroscopy and fuzzy radial basis function neural networks classifierJournal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 2017
- High-Performance Recycling System for Waste Plastics Using Raman Identification2014
- Interpretation of Infrared Spectra, A Practical Approach2000
- Infrared and Raman spectroscopy of polypropylene1999
- Band intensities in Raman spectra of polyethylene terephthalate and model aromatic complex estersJournal of Applied Spectroscopy, 1990
- Vibrational analysis of polyethylene terephthalate and its deuterated derivativesJournal of Polymer Science: Polymer Physics Edition, 1976
- Infrared spectra and assignments for polyvinyl chloride and deuterated analogsJournal of Polymer Science Part A: General Papers, 1963