Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emission plastics by a circular carbon economy

Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 374(6563), P. 71 - 76

Published: Sept. 30, 2021

Reducing net emission The great majority of plastics in current use are sourced from fossil fuels, with additional fuels combusted to power their manufacture. Substantial research is focused on finding more sustainable building blocks for next-generation polymers. Meys et al . report a series life cycle analyses suggesting that even the varieties commercial monomers could potentially be manufactured and polymerized no greenhouse gas emissions. relies combining recycling plastic waste chemical reduction carbon dioxide captured incineration or derived biomass. —JSY

Language: Английский

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The fundamental links between climate change and marine plastic pollution

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 806, P. 150392 - 150392

Published: Sept. 17, 2021

Plastic pollution and climate change have commonly been treated as two separate issues sometimes are even seen competing. Here we present an alternative view that these fundamentally linked. Primarily, explore how plastic contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the beginning end of its life cycle. Secondly, show more extreme weather floods associated with change, will exacerbate spread in natural environment. Finally, both occur throughout marine environment, ecosystems species can be particularly vulnerable both, such coral reefs face disease through climate-driven increased global bleaching events. A Web Science search showed studies ocean often siloed, only 0.4% articles examining stressors simultaneously. We also identified a lack regional industry-specific cycle analysis data for comparisons relative GHG contributions by materials products. Overall, suggest rather than debate over importance or pollution, productive course would determine linking factors between identify solutions combat crises.

Language: Английский

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The world of plastic waste: A review

Cleaner Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11, P. 100220 - 100220

Published: Jan. 28, 2024

People discover various materials from time to that break the boundaries of traditional materials. Plastic is a revolutionized material, and referred as "a material with 1,000 uses". This review summarized up-to-date research on plastic its waste pollution. has domain throughout human life versatile properties such lightweight, high durability, flexibility, low production cost. article describes applications, benefits, production, consumption, classifications plastics. commercialization began Second World War grew all over world within less than century. The global annual more 359 million tons. Despite plastics cause severe environmental public health issues. Accordingly, this study addresses major issues environment health. Plastics can degrade into micro nano sizes, those fine particles are spreadable in air, water, soil. Therefore, both terrestrial aquatic animals go through negative impacts ingestion, entangling, ulcers, reproduction, oxidative stress. Microplastics also due cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, birth defects, cancer, etc. closing contains developed end-of-life options (e.g., recycling reprocessing, incineration energy recovery, modification reuse, value addition, landfilling) biodegradable non-biodegradable wastes. Several international, regional/national level legislations policies/concepts trade, 3R policy, circular economy) available manage generation. management discussed offering practical insights real-world scenarios. Solutions challenges effective guide create sustainable environmentally responsible approach. Finally, highlights importance judicious decisions involvement stakeholders overcome crisis.

Language: Английский

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Why is Recycling of Postconsumer Plastics so Challenging?

ACS Applied Polymer Materials, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 3(9), P. 4325 - 4346

Published: Aug. 23, 2021

The ubiquitous use of plastics has been driven by their combination low cost and properties, but these attributes directly challenge waste management schemes for plastic recycling. Some postconsumer recycling programs are now nearly 50 years old, a significant fraction still finds landfills or other dumping strategies at end life. With the growing concern regarding waste, especially ocean plastics, there is need innovation alternative economic translation to valued product(s) that will promote efficient circular utilization. This review first describes technical hurdles associated with then it focuses on providing an overview emergent recover through new polymer design, processes, chemical transformations value-added products. Specific challenges discussed include sorting separations, product variability including additives, high efficiency/low in which existing petrochemical industry can produce virgin polymers, particular polyolefins. Although wide variety have demonstrated both mechanical means, commercial success different generally limited either performance, large variance key metrics, economics where products match performance materials process expensive. Successful capture likely depend incentives government regulations.

Language: Английский

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Chemical Recycling of Polystyrene to Valuable Chemicals via Selective Acid-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation under Visible Light

Journal of the American Chemical Society, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 144(14), P. 6532 - 6542

Published: March 30, 2022

Chemical recycling is one of the most promising technologies that could contribute to circular economy targets by providing solutions plastic waste; however, it still at an early stage development. In this work, we describe first light-driven, acid-catalyzed protocol for chemical polystyrene waste valuable chemicals under 1 bar O2. Requiring no photosensitizers and only mild reaction conditions, operationally simple has also been demonstrated in a flow system. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigations density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate singlet oxygen involved as reactive species degradation process, which abstracts hydrogen atom from tertiary C–H bond, leading hydroperoxidation subsequent C–C bond cracking events via radical process. Notably, our study indicates adduct acid catalyst might be formed situ, act photosensitizer initiate formation oxygen. addition, oxidized polymer may play role production light.

Language: Английский

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The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health

Annals of Global Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 89(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Plastics have conveyed great benefits to humanity and made possible some of the most significant advances modern civilization in fields as diverse medicine, electronics, aerospace, construction, food packaging, sports. It is now clear, however, that plastics are also responsible for harms human health, economy, earth's environment. These occur at every stage plastic life cycle, from extraction coal, oil, gas its main feedstocks through ultimate disposal into The extent these not been systematically assessed, their magnitude fully quantified, economic costs comprehensively counted.The goals this Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Human Health examine plastics' impacts across cycle on: (1) health well-being; (2) global environment, especially ocean; (3) economy; (4) vulnerable populations-the poor, minorities, world's children. On basis examination, offers science-based recommendations designed support development a Global Treaty, protect save lives.This report contains seven Sections. Following an Introduction, Section 2 presents narrative review processes involved production, use, notes hazards environment associated with each stages. 3 describes ocean potential enter marine web result exposure. 4 details health. 5 first-order estimate health-related costs. 6 examines intersection between plastic, social inequity, environmental injustice. 7 Commission's findings recommendations.Plastics complex, highly heterogeneous, synthetic chemical materials. Over 98% produced fossil carbon- oil gas. comprised carbon-based polymer backbone thousands additional chemicals incorporated polymers convey specific properties such color, flexibility, stability, water repellence, flame retardation, ultraviolet resistance. Many added toxic. They include carcinogens, neurotoxicants endocrine disruptors phthalates, bisphenols, per- poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), brominated retardants, organophosphate retardants. integral components many environment.Global production has increased almost exponentially since World War II, time more than 8,300 megatons (Mt) manufactured. Annual volume grown under Mt 1950 460 2019, 230-fold increase, track triple by 2060. More half all ever 2002. Single-use account 35-40% current represent rapidly growing segment manufacture.Explosive recent growth reflects deliberate pivot integrated multinational fossil-carbon corporations produce manufacture plastics. reducing fuels increasing manufacture. two principal factors decreasing demand due increases 'green' energy, massive expansion fracking.Plastic energy-intensive contributes significantly climate change. At present, estimated 3.7% greenhouse emissions, contribution Brazil. This fraction projected increase 4.5% 2060 if trends continue unchecked.The three phases: disposal. In carbon feedstocks-coal, gas, oil-are transformed energy-intensive, catalytic vast array products. Plastic use occurs aspect results widespread exposure contained plastic. constitute largest portion followed fibers construction.Plastic inefficient, recovery recycling rates below 10% globally. 22 waste enters year, much it single-use gigatons accumulated 1950. Strategies controlled uncontrolled landfilling, open burning, thermal conversion, export. Vast quantities exported year high-income low-income countries, where accumulates landfills, pollutes air water, degrades vital ecosystems, befouls beaches estuaries, health-environmental injustice scale. Plastic-laden e-waste particularly problematic.Plastics plastic-associated pollution. contaminate aquatic (marine freshwater), terrestrial, atmospheric environments destination found throughout ocean, including coastal regions, sea surface, deep sea, polar ice. appear resist breakdown could persist decades. Macro- micro-plastic particles identified hundreds species major taxa, consumed humans. Trophic transfer microplastic within them demonstrated. Although themselves (>10 µm) undergo biomagnification, hydrophobic bioaccumulate animals biomagnify webs. amounts fates smaller nanoplastic (MNPs <10 poorly understood, but harm worrying given mobility biological systems. Adverse pollution multiple levels molecular biochemical population ecosystem. MNP contamination seafood direct, though well chemicals. Marine endangers ecosystems upon which depends food, oxygen, livelihood, well-being.Coal miners, workers field who extract suffer mortality traumatic injury, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary lung cancer. risk leukemia, lymphoma, hepatic angiosarcoma, brain cancer, breast mesothelioma, neurotoxic decreased fertility. Workers producing textiles die bladder interstitial disease rates. toxic metal poisoning, neuropathy, Residents "fenceline" communities adjacent sites experience risks premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, childhood cancer.During disposal, release additives residual monomers people. National biomonitoring surveys USA document population-wide exposures disrupt function births, neurodevelopmental disorders, male reproductive defects, infertility, obesity, renal cancers. Chemical-laden MNPs formed degradation can living organisms, Emerging, albeit still incomplete evidence indicates may cause toxicity physical toxicological effects acting vectors transport bacterial pathogens tissues cells.Infants womb young children populations high plastic-related effects. Because exquisite sensitivity early hazardous children's unique patterns exposure, linked prematurity, stillbirth, defects organs, impairment, impaired growth, Early-life non-communicable diseases later life.Plastic's We 2015 exceeded $250 billion (2015 Int$) globally, alone disability caused PBDE, BPA DEHP $920 Int$). (GHG) emissions equivalent 1.96 dioxide (CO2e) annually. Using US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) cost metric, we annual GHG be $341 Int$).These costs, large they are, certainly underestimate full losses resulting negative All costs-and costs-are externalized petrochemical manufacturing industry borne citizens, taxpayers, governments countries around world without compensation.The adverse economy evenly distributed. disproportionately affect disempowered, marginalized workers, racial ethnic communities, Indigenous groups, women, children, whom had little do creating crisis lack political influence or resources address it. Plastics' harmful keenly felt South, small island states, disenfranchised areas North. Social justice (SEJ) principles require reversal inequitable burdens ensure no group bears disproportionate share those benefit economically bear fair currently costs.It clear sustainable societal injustices.The driver worsening exponential accelerating production. further magnified long persistence environment.The plastics-monomers, additives, processing agents, non-intentionally substances-include amongst number known disruptors, neurotoxicants, persistent organic pollutants. planetary leach out plastics, pollution, disease. efforts reduce must chemicals.To at-risk populations, put end 2040, supports urgent adoption nations strong comprehensive Treaty accord mandate set forth March 2022 resolution United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).International measures needed curb because transcend national boundaries, scale, well-being people poorest nations. Effective implementation will international action coordinated complemented interventions national, regional, local levels.This urges cap targets, timetables, contributions central provision Treaty. recommend inclusion following provisions:The needs extend beyond microplastics litter plastics.The banning severely restricting unnecessary, avoidable, problematic items, items manufactured microbeads.The requirements extended producer responsibility (EPR) make producers, manufacturers products legally financially safety end-of-life management materials sell.The reductions complexity products; health-protective standards additives; requirement non-toxic materials; disclosure components; traceability components. International cooperation essential implementing enforcing standards.The SEJ remedies fill gaps community knowledge advance both distributional procedural equity.This encourages calling exploration listing least pollutants (POPs) Stockholm Convention.This interface Basel London Conventions enhance slow exports least-developed countries.This recommends creation Permanent Science Policy Advisory Body guide Treaty's implementation. priorities would Member States other stakeholders evaluating solutions effective consumption, enhancing recycling, curbing generation waste. assess trade-offs among evaluate safer alternatives monitor transnational export coordinate robust oceanic-, land-, air-based monitoring programs.This investment research crisis. need determine cost-effective context particular proposed solutions. Oceanographic better measure concentrations µm understand distribution fate Biomedical elucidate MNPs.This finds boon stealth threat enormous benefits, linear pay attention design safe near absence recovery, reuse, grave damage, injustices. worsening.While there remain about uncertainties magnitude, available today demonstrates unequivocally severity intervention Manufacture continue. However, reckless ever-increasing unnecessary products, curbed.Global against failure act immense.

Language: Английский

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Towards circular plastics within planetary boundaries

Nature Sustainability, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(5), P. 599 - 610

Published: March 6, 2023

Abstract The rapid growth of plastics production exacerbated the triple planetary crisis habitat loss, plastic pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Circular strategies have been proposed for to achieve net-zero GHG However, implications such circular on absolute sustainability not examined a scale. This study links bottom-up model covering both end-of-life treatment 90% global boundaries framework. Here we show that even circular, climate-optimal industry combining current recycling technologies with biomass utilization transgresses thresholds by up four times. improving rates at least 75% in combination CO 2 can lead scenario which comply their assigned safe operating space 2030. Although being key unquantified effect novel entities biosphere, enhanced cannot cope demand predicted until 2050. Therefore, achieving requires fundamental change our methods producing using plastics.

Language: Английский

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Oxidation and fragmentation of plastics in a changing environment; from UV-radiation to biological degradation

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 851, P. 158022 - 158022

Published: Aug. 12, 2022

Understanding the fate of plastics in environment is critical importance for quantitative assessment biological impacts plastic waste. Specially, there a need to analyze more detail reputed longevity context degradation through oxidation and fragmentation reactions. Photo-oxidation debris by solar UV radiation (UVR) makes material prone subsequent fragmentation. The fragments generated following exposure mechanical stresses include secondary micro- or nanoparticles, an emerging class pollutants. paper discusses UV-driven photo-oxidation process, identifying relevant knowledge gaps uncertainties. Serious exist concerning wavelength sensitivity dose-response photo-fragmentation process. Given heterogeneity natural irradiance varying from no sediments full floating, beach litter air-borne plastics, it argued that rates degradation/fragmentation will also vary dramatically between different locations environmental niches. Biological phenomena such as biofouling further modulate radiation, while potentially contributing and/or independent UVR. Reductions UVR many regions, consequent implementation Montreal Protocol its Amendments protecting stratospheric ozone, have consequences global heterogeneous manner across geographic zones. interacting effects warming, ozone are projected increase at surface localized areas, mainly because decreased cloud cover. complexity uncertainty future conditions, this currently precludes reliable predictions persistence on scale.

Language: Английский

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Kinetics of microplastic generation from different types of mulch films in agricultural soil

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 814, P. 152572 - 152572

Published: Dec. 23, 2021

Language: Английский

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Photocatalytic Conversion of Plastic Waste: From Photodegradation to Photosynthesis

Advanced Energy Materials, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(22)

Published: April 21, 2022

Abstract Plastic waste remains a global challenge due to the massive amounts being produced without satisfactory treatment technologies for recycling and upcycling. Photocatalytic processes are emerging as green promising approaches upcycle plastics into value‐added products under mild conditions using sunlight energy source. In this review, recent advances in plastic conversion through photocatalysis have been comprehensively summarized. Special emphasis is placed on photocatalytic mechanism selective CC CH bond transformations of access fuels, chemicals, materials. Finally, challenges perspectives establishing new paradigm toward sustainable circular economy also put forward.

Language: Английский

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