The constant generation of plastic wastes and their disposal generates environmental probl
ems along with economic loss. In particular, mixed waste plastics are difficult to recycle bec
ause of their inferior characteristics. In this work, the scale-up triboelectrostatic process for
separation of various plastics from PVC has been studied. The separation efficiency of the m
ixed acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene (ABS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics considerably
depended on the electrode potential (>25 kV), the air velocity (15 m/s), the relative humidity
(<40%), and the splitter position (-10 cm from the center) in a scale-up triboelectrostatic se
parator unit. At this time, a ABS grade of 99.5% and a recovery of 93.6% have successfully
been achieved. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) of over 9
9.7 grade from PVC were obtained and also general purpose polystyrene (GPPS), high density
polyethylene (HDPE) and homo-polypropylene (HOMO-PP) grade of over 98.2% and a recovery
of over 88.2% could be obtained.