Thermal and Physical Performance of Recycled PET and EPS at Different Recycling Levels

The continuous increase in waste production, driven by economic growth and population expansion in Indonesia, highlights the urgent need for a deeper understanding of sustainable waste management practices. This study aims to analyze the impact of different recycling levels on the thermal and physical properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and expanded polystyrene (EPS), both of which significantly contribute to environmental pollution. This research examines recycling frequencies of one, three, and five cycles, utilizing advanced testing methodologies such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) for thermal property analysis and Melt Flow Index (MFI) for physical characterization. The study seeks to uncover the structural transformations that occur in these plastics throughout successive recycling processes and their subsequent implications. The PET test results indicate that an increased recycling frequency tends to elevate the melting point, reduce crystallinity, and enhance melt flowability.