Recycling of Wood – Plastic Composite Prepared from Poly (Ethylene Terephthalate) and Wood Sawdust

Abstract

Plastic waste has become one of the humanities and the ecosystem balance serious environmental Challenges. Furthermore, it is the primary source of plastic pollution because it is inexpensive, widely available, and frequently discarded. Using various waste materials and side fractions as part of wood-plastic composites is one way to promote the circular economy (WPC). Several environmental benefits can be realized by using recycled plastic, including extending the usable life of plastic, reducing waste, contributing to the development of trash recycling, and preventing resource depletion. One of the most efficient recycling processes is glycolysis; the (PET) is depolymerized by ethylene glycol in continuous stirring reactors at temperatures between 200 and 220◦C using glycol as solvent. This work concentrates on the experimental investigation of composite materials from DE polymerization PET, Unsaturated polyester, and VV/55 as a matrix and wood sawdust as reinforcement. The composite samples were checked by the Hardness test, water test, and density test. According to the experimental results, the optimum value is at (2%) wood percentage, giving high hardness value, low density, and low water absorption.