Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a durable plastic used throughout the world for bottles, food packaging, and even clothing fibers. While its durability has led it to be the worlds most widely used plastic, that very same durability makes it difficult to efficiently recycle.
Published in the journal Chem, Georgia Tech researchers have developed a novel mechanical technique which can rapidly convert PET back into its basic building blocks without the need for heat or harsh chemicals. The “mechanochemical” method utilizes mechanical forces such as collisions to drive reactions.
"We're showing that mechanical impacts can help decompose plastics into their original molecules in a controllable and efficient way," said Professor Carsten Sievers of Georgia Tech's School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. "This could transform the recycling of plastics into a more sustainable process."
By harnessing mechanical energy instead of heat and harsh chemicals the technique could provide a faster, more energy-efficient recycling method that also avoids downcycling the valuable polymer.
"This approach could help close the loop on plastic waste," Sievers added. "We could imagine recycling systems where everyday plastics are processed mechanochemically, giving waste new life repeatedly and reducing environmental impact."
"With millions of tons of PET produced every year, improving recycling efficiency could significantly reduce plastic pollution and help protect ecosystems worldwide," concluded postdoctoral researcher Kinga Gołąbek.