Scientists estimate that only about nine percent of plastic produced globally is recycled, with much of it contaminated by food waste and other materials, making the recycling process difficult and expensive. However, Guoliang “Greg” Liu, a chemistry professor at Virginia Tech, has developed a groundbreaking technique to recycle waste plastic into a useful ingredient for soap.
Plastic, particularly polyethylene and polypropylene, is challenging to recycle, but Liu’s method breaks down its molecules using heat, isolating an oil nearly identical to an ingredient commonly used in soap production. Liu believes that turning plastic waste into products used in daily life could provide the necessary economic incentive for the recycling industry to scale up.
This method is a more environmentally friendly version of advanced recycling, which typically emits pollution. Liu’s approach has the potential to reduce plastic waste while contributing valuable raw materials to industries such as soap and detergent manufacturing.
The study, published in Science, marks a significant step in addressing the global plastic waste crisis. Liu and his team are now seeking partnerships with investors and the detergent industry to explore the profitability of this innovative recycling method.
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