Chemical Depolymerization: Enhancing Sustainability in Plastic Recycling

Waste plastics have been piling up in the environment for decades due to the linear approach to resource usage. Problems with quality decline and value recovery have plagued conventional mechanical recycling and incineration methods. One viable strategy for recovering value from waste plastics is the use of chemical recycling and upcycling processes. These procedures include converting polymers into virgin monomers, liquid fuels, or chemical feedstocks for value-added goods. When contrasted with the present recycling procedures, however, these alternatives are sometimes prohibitively expensive and necessitate extremely strict conditions. With an emphasis on polycarbonates (PCs), polyesters, polyamides (PAs), and polyurethanes (PUs), this chapter reviews the successes of depolymerizing plastics. An in-depth analysis of depolymerization methods for these plastic classes is provided, shedding light on recent developments and their possible uses in the development of a plastic economy that is both sustainable and circular.