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A review of the pathways, limitations, and perspectives of plastic waste recycling
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This review compares conventional and emerging plastic recycling technologies—including mechanical recycling, pyrolysis, gasification, hydrocracking, and solvent-based methods—evaluating their technical performance, environmental impacts, and economic viability, while advocating for region-specific strategies and AI-assisted sorting to improve recycling outcomes globally.
Abstract The valorisation of plastic waste through diverse recycling technologies offers a strategic response to the escalating global plastic crisis, combining waste reduction with resource and energy recovery. This review critically examines both conventional and emerging methods—including mechanical recycling, incineration for energy recovery, pyrolysis, gasification, hydrogenation, hydrocracking, and solvent-based treatments—focusing on their technical efficacy, environmental footprint, and economic feasibility. Mechanical recycling remains the most widely adopted method, involving collection, sorting, grinding, washing, drying, and granulation processes. However, challenges such as polymer degradation, contamination, and incompatibility among mixed plastics limit the quality and applicability of recycled products. Advanced sorting technologies, including Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and electrostatic separation, are increasingly employed to enhance recycling outcomes. Incineration provides energy in the form of electricity, heat, or steam while significantly reducing waste volume, yet it raises environmental concerns due to the release of toxic gases and particulates. Chemical recycling emerges as a critical pillar of the circular plastic economy, enabling the breakdown of polymers into valuable chemical feedstocks. Techniques such as pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrocracking produce valuable by-products, including char, syngas, and bio-oil. The review underscores the potential of integrating incineration with carbon capture technologies to mitigate emissions and improve sustainability. It advocates for region-specific strategies supported by comprehensive techno-economic and environmental assessments. This work provides a comparative framework to inform the selection of recycling technologies, guide policy development, and identify research priorities in advancing plastic waste valorisation.
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This review surveys mechanical, chemical, and energy recovery methods for plastic waste recycling, examining challenges such as polymer degradation across cycles, the role of fillers, and advanced chemical techniques like pyrolysis and gasification. It provides practical guidance on the current state and future directions of plastic recycling across major polymer types including PET, HDPE, PP, and PS.
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This comprehensive review evaluates mechanical and chemical recycling strategies for plastic waste, noting that mechanical recycling is widely used but limited by polymer degradation, while chemical recycling offers higher quality recovery but at greater energy and financial cost. The study highlights emerging technologies including AI-assisted sorting, nanotechnology, and biodegradable polymer development as promising approaches for building a more circular plastics economy.
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This review examines cutting-edge approaches to plastic waste recycling beyond conventional mechanical methods, covering chemical recycling, biological degradation, and AI-enhanced sorting systems. Each technology is evaluated for its potential to address the growing global plastic waste crisis. Together, these advances point toward more efficient and scalable pathways for recovering value from plastic waste streams.
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This review examines the current landscape of plastic recycling technologies -- including mechanical, thermal, chemical, and biological depolymerization methods such as pyrolysis -- evaluating their readiness for circular economy integration. It concludes that while recycling rates remain below 10% globally, emerging technologies offer pathways toward closed-loop plastic supply chains, though full-scale implementation requires further development and performance assessment.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.