Earlier we looked at the most common sorting technologies for plastics. New technologies can greatly improve the quality and effectiveness of plastics recycling processes. In this video, Peter Rem talks about some of the innovations that are being developed by his department.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS

• One promising new technology changes traditional float sink density separation by creating a density gradient within the liquid. Different types of polymers will float at a different height within that liquid and can therefore be sorted in a single process.
• Another new technology applies micro robots to manipulate plastic flakes in space. Thousands of these robots in a row are able to filter out specific flakes for sorting.
• An important limitation is that the equipment required for these new technologies still needs to be developed.