A review on value-addition to plastic waste towards achieving a circular economy

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2024-04, Vol.921, p.171106-171106, Article 171106
• Main Authors: Kumar, Manish, Bhujbal, Sachin Krushna, Kohli, Kirtika, Prajapati, Ravindra, Sharma, Brajendra K., Sawarkar, Ankush D., Abhishek, Kumar, Bolan, Shiv, Ghosh, Pooja, Kirkham, M.B., Padhye, Lokesh P., Pandey, Ashok, Vithanage, Meththika, Bolan, Nanthi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fuels and chemicals; Plastic char; Plastic valorization; PW (PW); Value-added products
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171106

Plastic and mixed plastic waste (PW) has received increased worldwide attention owing to its huge rate of production, high persistency in the environment, and unsustainable waste management practices. Therefore, sustainable PW management and upcycling approaches are imperative to achieve the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Numerous recent studies have shown the application and feasibility of various PW conversion techniques to produce materials with better economic value. Within this framework, the current review provides an in-depth analysis of cutting-edge thermochemical technologies such as pyrolysis, gasification, carbonization, and photocatalysis that can be used to value plastic and mixed PW in order to produce energy and industrial chemicals. Additionally, a thorough examination of the environmental impacts of contemporary PW upcycling techniques and their commercial feasibility through life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economical assessment are provided in this review. Finally, this review emphasizes the opportunities and challenges accompanying with existing PW upcycling techniques and deliver recommendations for future research works. [Display omitted] •Plastic and mixed plastic waste (PW) has raised up global apprehension.•PW typically end up in incinerators or landfills, leads to environmental pollution.•Recycling of the PW is a conventional approach to reduce its impact.•The sustainable way of PW management is upcycling to generate high end products.•Effective recycling and upcycling of PWs can close the loop of circular economy.