“Plastics pervade almost every aspect of modern life, but once they have served their purpose, it’s tough to get rid of them. That’s because the polymers degrade very slowly in landfills or the environment, and recycling is inefficient.”
“Now researchers reporting in ACS Central Science have developed a catalyst that can transform polyethylene — the type of plastic used to make grocery bags and other packaging — into high-quality liquid products, such as motor oils and waxes.”
“Hundreds of millions of tons of plastic are produced worldwide each year, and the majority of these materials are discarded after a single use. Most end up in landfills or the environment.”
View the whole story here: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-10/acs-upp101819.php