Plastic vaporising process could recycle bags and bottles indefinitely

Press/Media: Expert comment

Description

A new process uses cheap catalysts to break down polyethylene and polypropylene into their building blocks, enabling common plastic objects to be turned into new products.

Period29 Aug 2024

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitlePlastic vaporising process could recycle bags and bottles indefinitely
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletNew Scientist
    Media typePrint
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date29/08/24
    DescriptionCressida Bowyer at the University of Portsmouth, UK, says that even when we have a process that can split waste plastic into constituent parts and withstand additives, there are still additional concerns. “Toxicity and disposal of recycling end products [such as catalysts and additives] must be taken into account. These could outweigh any perceived benefits of recycling technologies,” she says. “Recycling should not be seen as any kind of solution or rationale to maintaining or increasing production of single-use and unnecessary plastics and continuing the current prevailing take-make-waste culture.”
    Producer/AuthorMatthew Sparkes
    URLhttps://www.newscientist.com/article/2445331-plastic-vaporising-process-could-recycle-bags-and-bottles-indefinitely/
    PersonsCressida Bowyer