Scientists have proposed replacing the compounds that make up plastic to simplify the process of material recycling

Scientists at the University of Houston have proposed replacing the compounds that make up plastic to make the material easier to recycle. The researchers presented their findings in the pages of the journal Science.

Scientists have proposed developing a new generation of plastic that would be easier to recycle, as well as finding ways to more efficiently recycle existing plastic.

“We believe that we need to get rid of the costly and time-consuming process of sorting different types of plastics, as well as expand technologies that would allow us to recycle the usually non-recyclable polymers – the constituents of plastic,” said study author Megan Robertson.

It is important for scientists to improve the methods of recycling existing plastics. “New materials enter the market slowly. In this case, the most effective is to develop more efficient methods of recycling plastic, which is produced in large quantities today, ”- said Robertson.

A team of scientists has also started developing bio-renewable components for thermosetting materials. The goal of the researchers is to replace hydrocarbon-based polymers with substances that are composed of vegetable oils or other plant materials. In the future, this will make it possible to process a variety of materials consisting of thermosetting polyme

rs. Source: indicator.ru