Study of cellulose extraction from disposable cups for potential application as a reinforcement of engineering polymers

The principal component that can be valorized from waste cups is cellulose fiber since it comprises 95% of bulk. Cellulose can be extracted and processed to obtain high crystallinity degree and improve mechanical properties providing stiffness and strength in polymer matrixes. For this reason, this work contemplates the structural identification of disposable cups, the study of the separation and recovery of components, fiber and polyolefin, while studying three methods (stirring, stirring followed by sonication and grinding) and selecting an optimal method. Poly(ethylene) (PE) and cellulose were structurally identified and recovered by optimal stirring method. Infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis corroborated the extraction of cellulose free of PE coating, which can be processed to obtain a high crystallinity degree and to be proposed for reinforcing bio-, conventional and engineering polymers such as poly (methyl methacrylate)/poly (urethane). Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].