The viability of the thermornechanical recycling of postconsurner milk pouches [a 50 : 50 low-density polyethylene/linear low-density polyethylene (LDPE-LLDPE) blend] and their use as polymeric matrices for coir-fiber-reinforced composites were investigated. The mechanical, thermal, morphological, and water absorption properties of recycled milk pouch polymer/coir fiber composites with different treated and untreated fiber contents were evaluated and compared with those of virgin LDPE-LLDPE/coir fiber composites. The water absorption of the composites measured at three different temperatures (25, 45, and 75 degrees C was found to follow Fickian diffusion. The mechanical properties of the composites significantly deteriorated after water absorption. The recycled polymer/coir fiber composites showed inferior mechanical performances and thermooxiclative stability (oxidation induction time and oxidation temperature) in comparison with those observed for virgin polymer/fiber composites. However, a small quantity of a coupling agent (2 wt '%) significantly improved all the mechanical, thermal, and rnoisture-resistance properties of both types of composites. The overall mechanical performances of the composites containing recycled and virgin polymer matrices were correlated by the phase morphology, as observed with scanning electron microscopy. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.