Preliminary communication

https://doi.org/10.37023/ee.12.1-2.6

PRELIMINARY RESEARCH ON SEPARATION OF ALUMINIUM FROM PLASTICS FROM FOOD PACKAGING WASTE

Edela Uswah Dien-Muhammad ; Faculty of Mining, Geology, and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia *
Gloria Oluchukwu Ekwulugwo ; Faculty of Mining, Geology, and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Otgonzaya Khurelsukh ; Faculty of Mining, Geology, and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Sasid Mushmika Patikiri Arachige ; Faculty of Mining, Geology, and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Gordan Bedeković ; Faculty of Mining, Geology, and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Packaging is a huge problem in waste management, and food packaging stands out in particular. This article
presents the results of preliminary research on the separation between aluminium and plastic from yogurt cup wastes as a
sample of food packaging waste. Two different separation methods were used: eddy current and electrostatic separation. It
has been shown that an eddy-current separator can be used for the separation of larger particles, where it is possible to obtain
a concentrate with an aluminium content of 65.5% and recovery of 92.3%, while an electrostatic separator is more appropriate
for the separation of finer particles, whereby a concentrate with an aluminium content can be obtained of 73.3% with recovery
of 96.9%.

Keywords

Waste Management; Eddy-Current Separation; Electrostatic Separation; Aluminium Recycling; Food Packaging Waste

Hrčak ID:

341608

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/341608

Publication date:

18.12.2025.

Visits: 252 *