Disposable coffee capsules as a source of recycled polypropylene

Abstract

In this paper was investigated the chemical, physical, thermal, mechanical and morphological characteristics of the recyclable materials obtained of the NESCAFÉ® DOLCE GUSTO® branded beverage capsules, characterizing different resulting compositions. The characterization was made by following techniques: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Water Absorption and techniques for the analysis of mechanical properties (tensile and impact test). The results showed that the body of the capsule and the inner filter, both made of polypropylene, are the most interesting materials to be reused, having good properties, while the materials resulting from the mixtures of all the constituents in the beverage capsules presented decreased mechanical properties.

Keywords:
disposable capsules; polypropylene; recycling; mechanical properties