Headlines

Issues

Solution

• Researchers at Imperial College London are researching how we can reduce the amount of plastic leaked into the environment. However we need:

1. more research into how molecular science can improve recyclability;
2. new policies, better commercial and civic practices, and increased public awareness of resource efficiency. Although there is no “silver bullet” to address the complex problem of plastic pollution, making plastic products more reusable and recycling friendly through novel material combinations, processing methods and overall design can make a significant contribution.

• New technologies are being developed that can recover polymers and monomers (the building blocks that make up plastic) as a way to exclude impurities and improve recyclability in future.
• It is worthwhile for stakeholders to rethink how we can manufacture plastics in future – helping to reduce toxicity and increasing the amount of material that can be recovered via recycling.