Plastic pollution continues to be a pressing environmental issue, but researchers at Northwestern University may have found a game-changing solution. Their new method can decompose plastic using nothing but the moisture in the air, offering a clean and energy-efficient alternative to traditional recycling methods.
Most plastics, especially polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—commonly found in bottles and clothing—don’t break down naturally. While recycling exists, it’s often inefficient, requiring harsh chemicals and high temperatures that result in lower-quality materials. However, the Northwestern team has developed a process that breaks down plastic into its original building blocks using a non-toxic, solvent-free approach.
The breakthrough lies in what happens after the plastic is chemically broken down. Exposure to the moisture in the air triggers a reaction that converts the plastic into valuable components that can be reused to create new products, reducing the need for additional raw materials.
This innovative process is safer, more sustainable, and more cost-effective than current recycling methods. It recovers 94% of usable material within just four hours and works on various types of plastic, even removing dyes from colored plastics.
This discovery could finally offer a way to recycle plastic efficiently and continuously, potentially solving one of the most critical environmental challenges of our time. The researchers now aim to scale up the process for larger-scale use, helping tackle plastic waste on a global scale.