Tertiary recycling of plastics waste: an analysis of feedstock, chemical and biological degradation methods
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REVIEW
Tertiary recycling of plastics waste: an analysis of feedstock, chemical and biological degradation methods Alicia Lee1 · Mei Shan Liew1 Received: 16 February 2020 / Accepted: 31 August 2020 © Springer Japan KK, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Globally, there is rising awareness of the severity of the plastic waste problem, and the implications of plastics accumulation in the environment. Current methods of waste management are anticipated to be insufficient in mitigating the long-term negative impact on society and the environment. Plastics recycling is one of many solutions that have been proposed, one of the most ecologically-friendly, as well as holding great economic potential by its realization into a circular economy. The technological know-how already exists for a number of different methods for plastic recycling; however, they are broadly uneven in their implementation due to feasibility and cost issues. Here, we review and compare methods of tertiary recycling—that is, complete breakdown of plastics into its chemical component materials—and offer an analysis of the potential obstacles that have to be addressed to increase waste plastic recycling rates. While chemical recycling methods are simpler and are already pilot tested at an industrial level, biological recycling either via microorganisms or biological-derived enzymes are as yet unproven but highly promising technologies. Looking forward, trend shifts towards more ecologically-friendly processes will drive initiatives to close the loop on commercial plastic production. Keywords Plastic degradation · Micro-organisms · Polyethylene terephthalate
Introduction In the century that has elapsed since the invention of the first synthetic plastic, global production and usage of plastics has far outstripped that of almost every other material. Plastics are inexpensive to make, yet lightweight and resilient, and thus have become the default packaging material of choice for all manner of consumer goods. However, these same characteristics also make it convenient to dispose of plastics after a single use; it is estimated that single-use plastic packaging comprises almost 50% of overall plastic waste generated annually [1]. Of the varieties of synthetic plastics, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are the most common, comprising almost 80% of all plastics applications, followed by polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) [2]. There are three main avenues for end-of-life management for plastic products. Of the 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic * Mei Shan Liew [email protected] 1
Taraph Technologies, 32 Carpenter Street, Singapore 059911, Singapore
ever produced, only 9% has been recycled. Around 12% is incinerated, with the overwhelming majority disposed into landfills or simply as environmental litter [1, 3]. It is the latter fate that poses the greatest environmental threat, where the waste often ends up in the oceans, or unmonitored degradation products (i.e. microplastics) contaminating the soil or groundwater. Th
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