Innovations Toward the Valorization of Plastics Waste

Abstract

Plastics are an extremely important class of materials that are prevalent in all facets of society; however, their widespread use over time, combined with limited end-of-life strategies, has led to increasing levels of waste accumulation. Although currently considered a burden, plastics waste is potentially an untapped feedstock for numerous chemical and manufacturing processes. In this review, we discuss the state of the art of approaches for valorization of plastics waste from a materials research perspective, including previous efforts to utilize plastics waste and recent innovations that have opportunities to add significant value. Although additional progress is necessary, we present several diverse capabilities and strategies for valorization that, when brought together, address end-of-life challenges for plastics at every stage of design and product consumption. In short, a materials research–based framework offers a unique perspective to address the urgent issues posed by plastics, unlocking the potential of polymers and plastics waste.