Production of wood-plastic composites using cedrela odorata sawdust waste and recycled thermoplastics mixture from post-consumer products - A sustainable approach for cleaner production in Cuba

Abstract This research aims to evaluate the application of technological efficiency to industrial waste, in the production of wood plastic composite. The raw materials used were sawdust from Cedrela odorata L., thermoplastic polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polypropylene and calcium carbonate. The boards were obtained by extrusion using different proportions of raw material and their physical-mechanical properties were also evaluated. The investigation detected a directly proportional effect between additional proportions of the additive and the physical properties of these boards, except for their density. In contrast, this effect of the proportions of the additive was inversely proportional to the mechanical properties of the board. Statistical analyzes indicate that thermoplastics have an influence greater than 70% on the physical and mechanical properties of the boards mainly when they are used in proportions greater than 50%. The proportions of wood (sawdust) above 50% tend to decrease the resistance of the boards in relation to its physical properties and in turn result in low mechanical resistance. This study formalizes a preventive environmental strategy for recycling industrial waste, which is integrated into the technological process in the production of wood plastic composite, to increase production efficiency, minimize waste and reduce pollution risks to humans and the environment.