Closing the Carbon Loop in the Circular Plastics Economy

Abstract

Today, plastics are ubiquitous in everyday life, problem solvers of modern technologies, and crucial for sustainable development. Yet the surge in global demand for plastics of the growing world population has triggered a tidal wave of plastic debris in the environment. Moving from a linear to a zero‐waste and carbon‐neutral circular plastic economy is vital for the future of the planet. Taming the plastic waste flood requires closing the carbon loop through plastic reuse, mechanical and molecular recycling, carbon capture, and use of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. In the quest for eco‐friendly products, plastics do not need to be reinvented but tuned for reuse and recycling. Their full potential must be exploited regarding energy, resource, and eco‐efficiency, waste prevention, circular economy, climate change mitigation, and lowering environmental pollution. Biodegradation holds promise for composting and bio‐feedstock recovery, but it is neither the Holy Grail of circular plastics economy nor a panacea for plastic littering. As an alternative to mechanical downcycling, molecular recycling enables both closed‐loop recovery of virgin plastics and open‐loop valorization, producing hydrogen, fuels, refinery feeds, lubricants, chemicals, and carbonaceous materials. Closing the carbon loop does not create a Perpetuum Mobile and requires renewable energy to achieve sustainability.

Enzymes’ Power for Plastics Degradation

“…However, a large part of plastics is for short-term single-use packaging for food, beverages, etc. Of the ∼460 Mt produced in 2019, 40% was for single-use products composed of PE, PP, and PET. ,,, However, all plastics are not intended for ephemeral use but remain commonplace for a given period of time in our homes, offices, etc. Electronic equipment, car parts, household appliances, shoe soles, sport equipment, food containers, reusable water bottles, pens, textiles, and other objects are all examples of the perennial use of plastics in our daily lives.…”

Tailoring the composition of biocopolyester blends for dimensionally accurate extrusion-based printing, annealing and steam sterilization

“…Furthermore, the use of biopolymers can have a positive impact on the environment if they are produced from renewable feedstocks. PLA, PBAT, and PHA are furthermore biodegradable under specific conditions and can thus counteract uncontrolled littering and landfill 22 . On the other hand, FFF still faces challenges when applied in the professional medical sector: The printed objects must prove stable dimensions and should be autoclavable with a convenient protocol for the use in a sterile environment.…”

Sustainable cycloaliphatic polyurethanes: from synthesis to applications

“…The first global strategy is based on the valorization of plastic waste (PU and others) at the end of life, as follows: (i) conventionally by different types of recycling and (ii) by bioproduction using biotechnology strategies; in this case, the waste is used as a carbon source. [93][94][95] The design of the polymers can be managed to ease the recycling at the end of their life such as in the case of CANs. The second popular global approach is to develop biobased PUs from biomass resources.…”