Why this Credential?

The circular plastics economy requires skilled workforce who understand details of plastics components, production and processing, classifications, and how to identify and quantify waste plastic compositions. This course will briefly introduce a systems level approach to plastic circularity, including interconnected systems of supply chain and resource flows, government, policy, regulatory frameworks, marketplace, infrastructure, and user practices. It will also discuss the major plastic types and their properties, how they are produced and handled, the major industry producers and their geographical locations, and plastic formulations and roles of additives. 

The majority of this course will focus on characterization techniques required for identification of plastic compositions, additives, contaminants, such as infrared, near-infrared, ultra-violent, Raman, laser-induced breakdown, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies; hyperspectral imaging; mass spectrometry; and density, and evolving standards for waste identification. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in plastic sortation will also be discussed through case studies. We will also include collection (and tracking), identification, and characterization of marine plastics and microplastics. This course will include hands-on demonstrations of characterization techniques, such as chemical spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is appropriate for:

• Scientists/engineers/technicians from the chemical, materials, and waste management industries who wish to increase their knowledge of the plastics circular economy
• Have a B.S. degree in science/engineering/technology (or higher).

Curriculum

Badge 1: Introduction to Plastics Circular Economy

Learning Objectives: To understand basic principles of current plastic recycling processes; the circular economy and how this differs from a linear economy; how waste is currently processed by materials recovery facilities; current uses of recycled plastics; impacts of plastic waste (water, soil); how the current policy and regulatory framework impacts recycling efficacy; and basic ideas on life cycle and technoeconomic analyses as applied to plastics and recycling.

Learning Sessions Include:

• Introduction to Plastic Recycling
• Definition/Models Circular Economy
• Waste Classification, Handling
• Supply Chain and Safety
• Environmental Impacts, Microplastics
• Public Policy Framework
• Regulatory Framework
• Community Outreach
• Intro to LCA/TEA

Badge 2: Polymer Taxonomy and Recovered Material Identification

Learning Objectives: To understand how polymers are classified and produced (and connection to their intended use), and how they can be identified in sorting and separation processes used in materials recovery and recycling facilities.

Learning Sessions Include:

• Polymer Taxonomy
• Overview of Separations and Sorting Process
• Chemical Spectroscopy for Sortation
• Identification of Plastics Waste through Imaging
• AI/ML Methods for enhancing Sortation
• Identification and Characterization of Marine and Microplastics
• Identification and Characterization of Plastics in Soil
• Hands-on Demonstration of Plastic Identification

Badge 3: Measurements and Characterization Tools for Circular Plastics

Learning Objectives: To understand different types and forms of plastics and how this governs their usage.  To understand essential physical properties of plastics (e.g., thermal, mechanical, rheological, structure/morphology) and how these properties enable their use and impact their recycling efficacy. To understand characterization tools used for exploring these properties.

Learning Sessions Include:

• Types and Uses of Plastics
• Polymer Processing
• Morphology and Structure-Property Features
• Rheology and Flow and Impact on Structure/Processing
• Thermal and Mechanical Properties and Impact on Use
• Flims (including multi-layer)
• Advanced Characterization Tools
• Hands-on Demonstration of Characterization Tools

Badge 4: New Frontier of Polymer Recycling and Reuse

Learning Objectives: To understand the next frontier of recycling and methods that go beyond traditional mechanical recycling practices.

Learning Sessions Include:

• Enhanced Mechanical Recycling
• Chemical Recycling
• Pyrolysis/Gasification
• Physical Recycling
• Upcycling
• Compostable Plastics
• Design for Reuse

Badge 5: Valuation, Life Cycle Analysis, and Technoeconomic Analysis

Learning Objectives: To understand valuation principles and business models that govern the use of waste plastics in products, and to understand life cycle and technoeconomic assessments that govern the environmental impact of plastics and their recycling processes. 

Learning Sessions Include:

• Systems Level Analyses
• Valuation of Waste Plastics: Micro Level
• Valuation of Waste Plastics: Macro Level
• Business Models and Case Studies for Plastic Circularity
• Environment, Social, and Governance
• Life Cycle Analysis
• Technoeconomic Analysis
• LCA/TEA Case Studies

Frequently Asked Questions