Chemical recycling: a game-changer for the plastic waste crisis?
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By Becky Mckay
Chemical recycling is considered one of the most innovative solutions to our plastic pollution problem. Taking used plastic and chemically converting it into raw materials allows us to create entirely new plastic products without using fossil fuels.
But with an estimated 300 million tonnes of plastic waste being produced every year across the globe, is chemical recycling the key to the problem? Or is it simply another emissions-heavy process?
Some recent studies have raised concerns that this way of chemically recycling waste plastic may be more harmful to the environment than producing new (or ‘virgin’) plastics.
In this article, we’ll look at the chemical recycling process, finding out what it involves and the many benefits and opportunities. We’ll also ask, is this the solution our planet needs to combat plastic pollution, or is there more to be considered?
What is chemical recycling?
Chemical recycling is a waste management process that can convert various plasti...
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