Application of the principles of green chemistry in the plastic recycling industry: a case study

Abstract

The subject of this research was to verify the feasibility of implementing green chemistry principles within the business company „Omorika Reciklaža“ Ltd. situated in Johovac near Doboj, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The objective of this study was to conduct a detailed assessment of the company's facilities and operations, using environmental audits, to identify technological processes (production lines), energy and waste flows, capacities, product range, and other pertinent factors crucial for the application of green chemistry principles. Special emphasis was placed on analyzing each substance that constitutes a raw material, whether used individually or as part of mixtures. The assessment of safety data sheets involved utilizing the CAS registration numbers of substances from the Chemical Abstracts Service, cross-referenced with the ECHA database (European Chemicals Agency). The outcomes, attained through an exhaustive analysis of each substance, were presented as a "chemical inspection" of the company. Through the analysis of all substances and mixtures in the technological process (chemical inspection), as well as the capacity of production flows, energy and resource flows, wastewater, and waste, the potential for enhancing the technological process was identified. This involved reducing dust levels in the workspace, decreasing electricity consumption (utilizing renewable sources), and substituting particularly hazardous chemicals used in the technological process.