r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Feb 20 '21
Chemistry Chemists developed two sustainable plastic alternatives to polyethylene, derived from plants, that can be recycled with a recovery rate of more than 96%, as low-waste, environmentally friendly replacements to conventional fossil fuel-based plastics. (Nature, 17 Feb)
https://academictimes.com/new-plant-based-plastics-can-be-chemically-recycled-with-near-perfect-efficiency/
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u/Caffeine_Monster Feb 20 '21
Which is why we really need safe, biodegradable plastic for some purposes (like disposable short life packaging).
Recycling can can be less environmentally friendly than burying, for some materials, once you consider the emissions and energy required to collect, sort and reprocess.