Circular Economy of Polymers: Topics in Recycling Technologies

Advancing technologies to deliver a circular economy for polymers

Over the last 70 years, plastic usage has spread into nearly every corner of modern life and all geographies. For much of this time, plastics have been disposed of at the end of their first life. While recycling and reuse have increased, these have been limited by the need for clean, single-material streams as feedstock for mechanical recycling and the development status of advanced recycling technologies. By enabling the use of more mixed-waste streams, technologies will not only cut down on plastic waste landfilling, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This work presents developing plastic recycling technologies, from feedstocks to final products, and various waste valorization vectors that will enable the eventual transition to a fully circular economy of polymers.