Abstract

Mixed plastics waste (MPW) constitute a material of extreme recycling difficulty due to their heterogeneity and contamination level. As a consequence, a large fraction of MPW is landfilled. It is imperative to find new applications for MPW that bring new value as a raw material, with application in high added-value products. The restrictions on the marketing and application of biocidal products such as the creosote treatment performed on wood railway sleepers, introduced by Directive 98/8/EC, triggered the replacement of several products traditionally produced in wood. Currently, there is a global need to find solutions for replacement of wood railway sleepers for specific railway applications. The present study investigates the application requirements and proposes a new solution based on MPW composites for the production of eco-friendly railway sleepers. The composites are mostly based on MPW and glass fibers. The prototype composite sleepers were produced by intrusion processing and tested in simulated mechanical and environmental operating conditions. Overall this new circularity approach will largely contribute to reduce the deposition of MPW in landfills, responding to a current need of the railway sector, and will contribute to implement circular economy and resource efficiency.