Analysis and removal of bisphenols in recycled plastics using polyethylene glycol

This study examines the presence of bisphenol A (BPA), S (BPS), F (BPF), and M (BPM) in various recycled plastics readily available on the market (LDPE, HDPE, PET, and PP), in light of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) limits. Twenty samples of different origin are analyzed, cleaning treatments are applied, and the migration potential of these bisphenols into food is studied. BPM is absent in all samples, but a post-consumer recycled LDPE sample reveals high bisphenol concentrations, raising concerns, reaching 8540 ng/g, 370 ng/g, and 29 ng/g of BPA, BPS, and BPF, respectively. Migration tests show substantial migration of these contaminants into food simulants. Using a cleaning treatment with polyethylene glycol (PEG 400) reduces BPA in LDPE, HDPE, PP, and PET samples by 95%, 99%, 97% and 28%, respectively, highlighting the importance of cleaning treatments across various polymers in plastic recycling. These findings not only protect food safety but addressing environmental challenges associated with plastic recycling.