Life cycle assessment (LCA) of wood plastic composite (WPC): Identifying end-of-life option / Zakiah Hani Ab Rashid

Wastes and scraps from wood based and plastic industry can contribute to
environmental harm if no appropriate handling methods are taken. Combinations
of both wood and plastic wastes are able to produce wood plastic composite. The
objective of this research was to observe the LCA of the WPC and to determine
the physical and mechanical properties of WPC after recycle process. Three
different filler loadings (50%, 70% and 90%) were used. Blending of
polypropylene with sawdust took place in the dispersion mixer for I hour at 180
°C before hot pressed and old pressed. Next, testing on bending, tensile, water
absorption and thickness swelling were done. Results shown that there was a
significant effect of different amount of loadings and recycle of filler loadings on
the wood plastic composite. 70% of polypropylene with 30% of wood filler
showed the highest percentage mechanical properties for tensile and bending
MOR. While for the recycling process, first recycle showed the highest strength of
tensile and bending. Thermoplastic composite boards were then tested for tensile,
bending, water absorption are according to ASTM standard