Quantification of micro stickies

Abstract

The objective of this project was to compare the different methods for the quantification of micro stickies. The hydrophobic materials investigated in this project for the collection of micro stickies were Microfoam* (polypropylene packing material), low density polyethylene film (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE; a flat piece from a square plastic bottle), paper machine wire (polyester), and Tyvek* (Federal Express envelope). A stainless steel frame, built to hold the collecting material, was used to insert each material into the pulp under controlled conditions. Collected micro stickies were measured gravimetrically. In general, the most consistent results using the stickies pulp were obtained from the HDPE and microfoam collection materials. The control pulp with the HDPE collection material had consistent and low results, indicating that the control was clean and that this material was probably the best micro stickies collection material available. This study demonstrated that fibers are associated with both macro and micro stickies and the fibers are a part of the weight gain on the collection material used for the quantification of micro stickies. Findings also indicate the possibility that a cellulase enzyme could alter the surface of the sticky and change its affinity for the hydrophobic surface of the collecting material.

Citation

Doshi, Mahendra.; Dyer, Jeffrey.; Aziz, Salman.; Jackson, Kristine.; Abubakr, Said M. 1997. Quantification of micro stickies. Paper recycling challenge. Appleton, WI : Doshi & Associates Inc., 1997-1998.:p. 119-122 : ill.