Finding two breakthrough solutions in plastic waste treatment

Researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in the US have just announced a process for recycling plastic waste that is considered the best ever. This process not only promises to change the way we deal with plastic waste but also helps improve the quality and durability of recycled products.

Unlike traditional recycling methods, which weaken the material through repeated melting, the new process, called 'polymer modification', uses advanced chemical reactions to improve recycled plastic. According to E+E Leader, the process is like renovating a house instead of just tearing it down and rebuilding it. While traditional recycling only produces scraps, polymer modification allows the material to be upgraded and reinforced, resulting in better results.

ORNL's method not only reduces pollution, but also saves energy and creates materials with enhanced functionality. 'This process could have a significant impact, allowing for the degradation and reuse of hard-to-recycle materials like polyurethane and epoxy,' said lead researcher Jeffrey Foster.

Currently, about 450 million tons of plastic waste are generated each year, but only 9% of it is recycled, and plastics in this group can only be recycled 2-3 times before they are no longer usable. ORNL's revolutionary process could increase recycling rates and reduce the impact of plastic waste, especially on marine life.

In addition, a research team at Northwestern University (USA) has also developed a new method that can decompose plastic using only moisture from the air. This method uses a molybdenum-based catalyst and activated carbon to break down the chemical bonds in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic - a common plastic in bottles, food containers and polyester fabrics.

Once the plastic is chemically broken down, moisture in the air triggers a reaction that converts the plastic into valuable monomers, which can be recycled into entirely new plastic or more valuable materials.

This method is not only safer and more cost-effective, but also more sustainable than traditional recycling. It eliminates the need for toxic solvents, reduces energy consumption and releases byproducts into the environment. The system has been tested on a variety of real plastic waste and has proven highly effective, recovering 94% of usable material in just four hours.

This innovation not only has the potential to revolutionize plastic recycling, but also enables the continuous reuse of plastic without any loss of quality. With plastic waste at an all-time high, finding a solution to this problem is more urgent than ever.

Kareem Winters

Update 20 April 2025