The LIT Factory at JKU Linz is a partner of R-Cycle, opens an external URL in a new window. The goal of this initiative is, for example, to document packaging properties during production in order to make this information available to the sorting and recycling process at the end of the product life cycle. For this purpose, a digital product passport is created that contains recycling-relevant information for this product.
To make the concept tangible, R-Cycle and the LIT Factory are presenting a show case at the world's largest plastics trade fair, K 2022, opens an external URL in a new window. The basis for this is the internal JKU Recycling Project entitled "Space for better recycling".
To promote awareness of the sustainable use of plastic, 103 classes at 19 schools in Upper Austria collected the stoppers from PET beverage bottles after being encouraged to do so by the LIT Factory. The waste from the stoppers made of high-density polyethylene (PE-HD) with the recycling code "2" was then turned into trendy Frisbee discs at the LIT Factory. There were also attractive prizes to be won by the students, which were provided by our project partners.
1st place: HAK Steyr - Klasse 4EK, opens an external URL in a new window
2nd place: HAK 1 Wels - Klasse 2DHK, opens an external URL in a new window
3rd place: HTL Andorf - Klasse 2AF, opens an external URL in a new window
And the special prize goes to: Don Bosco Schule Vöcklabruck - Klasse 1 bafep, opens an external URL in a new window
Several process steps are necessary from collection to the finished Frisbee. These include sorting and processing of the recyclable materials, shredding, material analysis, recycling of the plastic, and injection molding of the Frisbee.
Finally, the Frisbee is labeled with a JKU label in combination with a QR code.
During the individual process steps, the systems and analyzers record data that is stored in the product passport and can be read out via the QR code.
At the schools, collection boxes and information brochures on proper collection were provided for the individual classes. The students had one month to collect as many caps as possible.
Sorting and processing produces a single-variety PE-HD plastic fraction. Missing discards such as metallic caps or caps made from other types of plastic are removed
After sorting and processing, the sorted individual quantities from the schools were combined into a total quantity and processed together in a Lindner Micromat 1500 shredder into colorful plastic flakes with a homogeneous piece size.
The flakes are then converted to regranulate in an Erema INTAREMA 1108 TVEplus.
Since no sorting of the caps with regard to color was carried out and the flakes are melted, homogenized and granulated in the recycling extruder, a dark gray plastic granulate is obtained in this step.
From the converted recyclable material stream, a new product is finally created on the ENGEL duo 350 injection molding machine, in this specific case the Frisbee disc from the LIT Factory.
The Frisbees are distributed to first-year students as part of the JKU Welcome Week or are available in the JKU Merchandising Shop .