article · Journal of applied science and environmental management
Plastic materials support extensive product innovation and daily convenience, yet their durability and slow natural degradation present persistent environmental challenges. Catalytic chemical recycling offers a route to manage post-consumer plastic waste by converting discarded polymers into valuable secondary resources, notably fuels and chemical monomers. By using specific catalysts, these processes break down polymer chains into smaller constituent molecules, thereby cutting reliance on virgin fossil fuel feedstocks. A synthesis of existing research identifies several emerging catalytic techniques, including microwave-assisted, plasma-assisted, supercritical water, and photocatalytic conversion methods. Each of these technical approaches demonstrates potential for generating high-value chemical products. Advancing catalytic recycling systems could reduce overall plastic pollution, conserve natural resources, and support more sustainable materials management globally.
Plastic waste accumulates in the environment because it degrades exceptionally slowly. Instead of discarding these durable materials into landfills or natural ecosystems, catalytic recycling processes transform waste polymers back into useful fuels and chemical components. This approach reduces overall pollution while lowering industrial demand for new fossil fuel extraction.
The findings are relevant to chemical recyclers, waste management companies, and petrochemical producers seeking alternative feedstocks. The methods surveyed, including microwave, plasma, supercritical water, and photocatalytic conversion, could enable commercial generation of fuels and monomers from waste plastics. Because the work is a literature review of emerging methods, it reflects an early to intermediate stage of research rather than a direct commercial deployment.
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The objective of this paper is to provide a critical review of Catalytic Chemical Recycling of Post-Consumer Plastics using data from online and in-library resources. The adaptability of plastic has significantly contributed to numerous product innovations and everyday convenience and the waste poses a significant environmental challenge due to its durability and slow degradation rate. Catalytic chemical recycling seen as a promising approach by converting plastic waste into valuable products like fuels and monomers. This process involves breaking down plastic polymers into smaller molecules using catalysts, reducing the need for fossil fuel-based feedstocks. The study explored various catalytic methods, including microwave-assisted, plasma-assisted, supercritical water, and photocatalytic conversion, which can yield high-value products. By promoting catalytic chemical recycling, we can reduce plastic waste, conserve resources, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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DOI: 10.4314/jasem.v28i12.39
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