Thermal Techniques for the Degradation and Remediation of Microplastics

Microplastic contamination has become a critical environmental concern due to its slow degradation process, which results in its permanence for centuries and millennia. The poor handling and management of microplastic waste results in a large accumulation of persistence within the environment causing adverse effects on human health and complex difficulties for different ecosystems. Thus, novel approaches in research are required to achieve their degradation and cleanup. This chapter presents and focuses on thermal degradation techniques for the remediation and breakdown of microplastics. Furthermore, it examines the various aspects of thermal techniques mentioning their effectiveness, scalability, environmental impact, and feasibility from an economic standpoint. In addition, the mechanism behind the thermal degradation of microplastics and its possible shortcomings are explored to determine a comprehensive strategy that could guarantee the production of non-toxic byproducts and a safe degradation process for the environment. It provides insight into the optimization of thermal techniques addressing various challenges through technological advancements to ensure efficient degradation while minimizing environmental impact, thus helping in building comprehensive waste management strategies. Integrating thermal methods with other approaches might offer more holistic solutions to mitigate microplastic pollution effectively.