Leveraging blockchain concepts as watermarkers of plastics for sustainable waste management in progressing circular economy

• Published in: Environmental research 2022-10, Vol.213, p.113631-113631, Article 113631
• Main Authors: Bhubalan, Kesaven, Tamothran, Arularasu Muthaliar, Kee, Seng Hon, Foong, Shin Ying, Lam, Su Shiung, Ganeson, Keisheni, Vigneswari, Sevakumaran, Amirul, Al-Ashraf, Ramakrishna, Seeram
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blockchain technology; Plastic circular economy; Sustainability; Waste management
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113631

Blockchain-integrated waste management and circular economy are emergent concepts that target minimising waste generation and fluctuations of resource commodity. Blockchain can support a circular economy and green principles by enabling information transparency, reliability and automation. Redesigning plastics by molecular tagging is the way forward to ensure synthetic plastics are kept in an infinite loop and support closed-loop recycling. The involvement of major corporations in product development and blockchain-integrated closed-loop recycling has resulted in several successful green chemical approaches toward circular plastic economy projects. Government policies and legislations are progressively supporting plastic redesigning for improving the plastic circular economy. Nevertheless, a systematic approach is required in addressing blockchain technology and plastic redesigning to effectively leverage circular economy initiatives. •Blockchain-integrated waste management and circular economy are emergent concepts that target minimising waste generation.•Plastic waste management by adopting blockchain technology could achieve circular economy model closed-lopped recycling.•Blockchain implementation in plastics will increase the use and specification of recycled grades to replace virgin plastic.