| Title: | Cascading Polymer Macro-Debris Upcycling and Microparticle Removal as an Effective Life Cycle Plastic Pollution Mitigation Strategy |
| Address: | "Systems Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States. Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1520-5851 (Electronic) 0013-936X (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Plastic pollution caused by material losses and their subsequent chemical emissions is pervasive in the natural environment and varies with age. Cascading the life cycles of plastic losses with solid waste reclamation via re-manufacturing virgin polymers or producing fuels and energy may extend resource availability while minimizing waste generation and environmental exposure. Here, we systematically investigate this cascaded plastic waste processing over other waste end-of-life management pathways by analyzing the environmental consequences of plastic losses across the entire life cycle. Plastic losses can form volatile organic chemicals via photo-degradation and pose non-negligible global warming, ecotoxicity, and air pollution effects that worsen by at least 189% in the long run. These environmental burdens increase by above 9.96% under high ultraviolet radiation levels and participation rates, which facilitate plastic particulate compartment transport and degradation. Cascaded plastic waste processing aided by fast pyrolysis upcycling technologies can effectively cut environmental losses and outperform landfills and incineration in reducing 23.35% ozone formation and 19.91% air pollution by offsetting the external monomer manufacturing and fuels and energy production while saving at least 25.75% fossil fuels" |
| Keywords: | Animals Plastics Polymers Ultraviolet Rays *Volatile Organic Compounds *Waste Management Life Cycle Stages cascaded plastic waste processing end-of-life management life cycle assessment microplastic plastic losses; |
| Notes: | "MedlineZhao, Xiang You, Fengqi eng Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. 2023/04/15 Environ Sci Technol. 2023 Apr 25; 57(16):6506-6519. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08686. Epub 2023 Apr 14" |
