The global plastic pollution crisis has been growing for decades, and its effects are being felt on every corner of the globe. But could an old technology be the answer to this problem? Chemical recycling, a process that has been around since the 1960s, may be our best hope at stopping the tide of plastic waste.
Chemical recycling works by breaking down plastic into its chemical components so they can be used in other products or reused to make new plastics. By focusing on unrecyclable plastics—particularly those used to make things such as food packaging and single-use products—chemical recycling offers us a way to put plastics back into circulation and reduce our reliance on new materials.
This technology is becoming more efficient due to modern advancements such as computer-controlled sorting machines and high-precision pumps, which allow for a greater range of materials to be recycled with much less energy spent. In fact, some scientists are optimistic that chemical recycling may soon allow us to recycle almost all types
