https://www.nature.com/articles/s44296-024-00024-w
"Increasing plastic waste is a critical global challenge to ecological and
human health requiring focused solutions to reduce omnipresent plastic
pollution in the environment. While recycling has been touted as one solution
to counter plastic waste and resource utilization, it has been largely
ineffective in offsetting the impact of rising global plastic production of
more than 400 million metric tonnes annually, due to low global recycling rates
of only 9%. Over three decades since implementing plastic resin codes,
recycling has favoured thermoplastics, neglecting thermoset plastics. There is
a constant need to enhance overall recycling efficiency by exploring advanced
methods, as enormous gaps exist in fully unlocking the potential of plastic
recycling. We identify critical gaps associated with plastic waste recycling
and its potential environmental impacts. We discuss substantial progress in
recycling technology, designs-for-recyclability with controlled chemical use,
and economic incentives to expand markets for recycled plastics and to curb
plastic leakage into the environment. Additionally, we highlight some emerging
strategies and legally binding international policy instruments, such as the
Global Plastics Treaty that require further development to reduce plastic waste
and improve plastic recyclability."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
