Green Chemistry in Plastic Recycling and Waste Management: A Detailed Review

Green Chemistry

The environmental challenges posed by plastic waste demand urgent and sustainable solutions. Traditional waste management practices, such as land filling and incineration, have proven inadequate, leading to escalating pollution and resource depletion. This review explores the transformative role of green chemistry in advancing plastic recycling and waste management. Green chemistry principles focused on waste prevention, energy efficiency, renewable feedstocks, and environmentally benign processes offer innovative pathways for addressing plastic pollution. Key strategies discussed include mechanical recycling enhanced with eco-friendly additives, chemical recycling through catalytic depolymerization and solvolysis, solvent-based recycling using green solvents, and the development of biodegradable plastics like polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Emerging technologies such as enzymatic recycling, photocatalytic degradation, and bioaugmentation further expand sustainable recycling options. The environmental benefits of green recycling methods, including reduced carbon footprints and lower toxic emissions, are highlighted through life cycle assessments. Policy interventions, economic incentives, and the integration of circular economy models are essential for scaling green technologies. Overall, this review underscores that green chemistry provides a critical foundation for reshaping plastic recycling and waste management towards a more sustainable and circular future.

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