Author: Ahmad Saylam
Document type: Preprint / Technical Paper
Year: 2026
Zenodo record: https://zenodo.org/records/19438550
Plastic waste represents a persistent global environmental challenge due to its durability, accumulation in ecosystems, and contribution to microplastic pollution. Conventional mechanical recycling methods face significant limitations when processing mixed, contaminated, or degraded plastic streams, necessitating alternative approaches.
This paper provides a structured overview of chemical recycling technologies as a complementary strategy for plastic waste management. Key processes—including pyrolysis, gasification, and depolymerization—are examined in terms of their operational principles, treatment conditions, feedstock suitability, and product outputs. These methods enable the conversion of plastic waste into fuels, monomers, and chemical intermediates, supporting material recovery within a circular economy framework.
The analysis highlights the potential of chemical recycling to process complex waste streams and produce high-quality outputs comparable to virgin materials. However, challenges related to energy demand, process efficiency, feedstock contamination, and economic scalability remain significant barriers to widespread implementation.
Overall, chemical recycling is best understood as part of an integrated waste management strategy that combines technological innovation, policy support, and sustainable resource utilization. Continued research and system optimization are required to enhance its environmental and economic viability at industrial scale.
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Saylam, A. (2026). Advancements in Chemical Recycling of Plastic Waste: A Sustainable Path Forward. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19438550