Recycling plastic remains a key focus in research, but existing methods often rely on extreme conditions—such as high temperatures, intensive energy use, and harsh solvents—that produce toxic byproducts.
Moreover, catalysts like platinum and palladium are expensive and contribute to the waste problem. Once the reaction is complete, researchers must separate the recycled materials from the solvents—a process that is both time-consuming and energy-intensive
“Instead of using solvents, we used water vapor from air. It’s a much more elegant way to tackle plastic recycling issues,” Kratish said.