From Single Use to Endless Use: Enhancing Service Life and Recyclability of Polymers through Dynamic Chemistry

Abstract

Plastics are everywhere in modern society. Their versatility has made them the materials of choice for many different kinds of products and applications, making possible the advent of an unprecedented single-use economy. Just a few plastic types dominate the world’s plastic consumption and none of these have been designed to be recycled. Today, plastic accumulation in environment is profoundly threatening and disrupting ecosystems around the globe. Mechanical recycling has emerged as a straightforward strategy for recycling plastics. However, it shows limitations, typically when applied for polyolefins. Chemical recycling strategies are emerging and are now opening new possibilities for recycling, but at higher energy costs. Learning from these industrial realities, this chapter draws attention to the opportunities of innovation in polymer science presented by dynamers to design new polymers fit for circular use. Dynamers can be designed to present features such as self-healing and enhanced mechanical and chemical recyclability, thus conferring to plastics long service lives. We present some chemistries and we project how to implement them through the value chain to enhance plastic recyclability. There is no doubt there are challenges to be overcome before their industrialization, however we consider the potential of dynamers to become the material of choice in a circular economy.