Medical plastic waste (MPW) has become a major environmental concern due to its massive production in clinics and hospitals, and the limited recycling options, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, thermochemical technologies represent a promising approach to simultaneously reduce and valorize this waste by producing three main streams of value: a gaseous, a liquid, and a solid stream. In this study, the thermochemical conversion of four representative categories of MPW (non-woven medical textiles, FFP2 face masks, Pasteur pipettes, and natural latex gloves) was experimentally evaluated under different operating conditions. The experiments were conducted in a laboratory-scale fluidized-bed reactor at temperatures between 750 and 850°C using N2 at 8 NL min−1 or N2 plus steam (6 NL min-1N2 + 2 NL min−1 steam) as the process atmosphere, in order to compare predominantly pyrolytic and steam gasification conditions. These conditions correspond to nominal freeboard residence times of approximately 2.4–2.6 s. The results revealed a strong influence of both feedstock composition and operating conditions. The gas composition varied significantly with the type of MPW, leading to H2 and CO contents reaching up to 30 vol% and 20 vol%, respectively, both for FFP2 face masks under N2 and at 750°C. Carbon conversion to the gas phase achieved a maximum of approximately 45%. Steam addition significantly reduced carbon retention in the char fraction, while the unaccounted carbon fraction remained substantial under several steam gasification conditions. Tar analysis showed that benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) compounds predominated for polypropylene- and polyethylene- based MPW, whereas natural latex gloves exhibited a greater tendency towards the formation of substituted aromatic compounds, naphthalene derivatives and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of thermochemical conversion to recover valuable products from selected MPW fractions and provide an experimental basis for identifying suitable feedstock-specific operating conditions. Further development towards industrial implementation will require consideration of process efficiency and environmental performance.
The European Union generates an estimated 58 million tonnes of food waste annually, with significant environmental, social, and economic implications. To address this issue, the EU has established a monitoring framework and introduced binding food waste reduction targets. This article presents the latest version of the Food System Material Flow Analysis (FS MFA) model, a detailed tool for estimating food waste generation in EU Member States, and compares FS MFA model estimates with Member State-reported data, revealing a good degree of similarity, despite differences in methodology and data sources. However, discrepancies highlight the need for model refinement and improved data collection and harmonization. The article recommends that Member States enhance data robustness through primary data collection, industry collaboration, and novel technologies like blockchain and mobile crowdsensing. An improved understanding of food waste generation and the development of effective measurement and reporting tools can support the reduction of food waste in line with Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, thus enabling the transition to a sustainable food system.
