Comprehensive overview of key principles, innovative techniques, and environmental implications of plastic chemical recycling

Abstract The global increase in plastic waste presents a significant environmental challenge. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and similar plastics are commonly recycled mechanically but repeated processing degrades their physical and chemical properties, ultimately rendering them unfit for reuse and leading to landfill disposal. Chemical recycling offers a promising alternative, employing advanced techniques to convert plastic waste into basic chemicals, monomers, and feedstocks, thus bridging the petrochemical industry and waste management. However, knowledge of suitable chemical recycling methods for all seven categories of recyclable plastics remains limited. This review critically examines the effectiveness of various chemical recycling approaches across different plastic types, integrating fundamental principles with recent research developments. The economic and environmental impacts of these technologies are also assessed. Finally, the study discusses current challenges and future opportunities for scaling up chemical recycling to support a sustainable, climate‐neutral circular economy.