How can we ensure that recycled plastics are free from harmful substances? 
In his master’s thesis, “Determination of Heavy Metal Content in Plastic Regranulate using ICP-OES”, Lucas Eder investigates the presence of heavy metals in recycled plastics and their potential reintroduction into the material cycle.
Plastics often contain additives like stabilizers, flame retardants, or UV filters, which may include toxic heavy metals. During the recycling process, even more additives are required to maintain material properties—potentially increasing contamination levels.
To better understand this issue, Lucas is analyzing 50 samples of plastic regranulate, measuring their heavy metal content using ICP-OES and comparing the results with existing literature on primary and secondary plastics. Beyond assessing contamination levels, he is also investigating which sectors utilize these recycled plastics and in what quantities, aiming to evaluate the possible health and environmental risks associated with their use.
Recycling is key to a circular economy, but ensuring the quality of recycled plastics is just as crucial as increasing recycling rates. Lucas' work aims to shed light on this challenge and contribute to safer, high-quality recycling practices.
Stay tuned for his findings!