| Title |
Chemical upcycling of plastics as a solution to the plastic trash problem for an ideal, circular polymer economy and energy recovery |
| ID_Doc |
11117 |
| Authors |
Shekhar, S; Hoque, ME; Bajpai, PK; Islam, H; Sharma, B |
| Title |
Chemical upcycling of plastics as a solution to the plastic trash problem for an ideal, circular polymer economy and energy recovery |
| Year |
2024 |
| Published |
Environment Development And Sustainability, 26, 3 |
| DOI |
10.1007/s10668-023-03003-8 |
| Abstract |
The fact that the majority of the presently utilized plastics are not 100% recyclable has engendered acute environmental issues, induced significant losses to the global economy, and exhausted finite natural resources. Encumbrances to recycling commodity polymers comprehend segregation, adulterants, and degradation of macromolecular structures, the whole of which can pessimistically influence the characteristics of recycled materials. Capturing the value back from plastic waste has been the holy grail of recyclers. A charismatic alternative is to recover high-valued monomers and purify them for polymerization. The burgeoning of chemical recycling processes could appreciably aid the gradation of the present-day linear model of plastic production and consumption-where finite resources are utilized to build products that have a limited lifespan and are then disposed of-to an ideal, sustainable, circular economy that curtails waste and aggrandize resource use. Herein, we proffer a holistic view for perceiving a circular polymer economy based on the chemical recycling approach for sustainability. We briefly review trailblazing techniques to chemically recycle commercial plastics. Accordingly, selected highlights on significant advancement and the technical and environmental benefits attained in the development of repurposing and depolymerization processes are presented. We conclude by discussing the main challenges concerning the current-day industrial reality that grounds it in relevant polymer science, delivering an academic angle as well as an applied one. This journey toward a new plastic future will optimize resource efficiency across chemical value chains and empower a closed-loop, waste-free chemical industry. |
| Author Keywords |
Plastics; Chemical recycling; Monomer recovery; Sustainability; Life cycle assessment; Green chemistry |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) |
| EID |
WOS:000943019600004 |
| WoS Category |
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Environmental Sciences |
| Research Area |
Science & Technology - Other Topics; Environmental Sciences & Ecology |
| PDF |
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