Technical properties of the recycled plastic films from protected cultivation

Abstract

In this paper the results of a survey investigating the possibilities to producing a new regenerated film through mechanical recycling, from post-consume agricultural plastic films are analyzed. Four recycled films, made from tunnel and greenhouse covering material, have been extruded and subsequently characterized by mechanical tests and spectro-radiometric analysis. At the same time two new materials made from recycled LDPE and EVA were also tested on their mechanical and spectro-radiometric properties. The results allow the definition of the main engineering properties of these materials, and the possibilities for further investigation in order to have new products as an economic efficient and environmentally friendly alternative.