Abstract
The current surge in plastic waste generation from human activities has led to environmental hazards associated with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), from mismanaged polymeric waste and its derived free plastic debris. Chemical recycling enables the effective end-of-life (EoL) of plastic wastes and debris by transforming them into value-added chemicals, reducing their offsite manufacturing's environmental and social risks related to SDG 13 (Climate Action) while mitigating plastic pollution associated with SDG 6, SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Herein, this work examines the recent research progress, technological advancements, and policy implications on the chemical recycling of plastic waste and derived debris from macro to micro levels and implications for achieving SDGs. We identify three primary research challenges related to plastic pollution mitigation: 1. Understanding the extent of plastic pollution and consequences by sources originating from human activities; 2. Exploring the sustainable material life cycle of plastics with minimum waste generation, free debris exposure and pollution related to SDGs 14 and 15, and carbon emissions aligned with SDG 13; 3. Indicating the necessary local and global efforts to deploy plastic production, use, and waste management as per sustainable plastic life cycle concepts associated with SDG 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption). Future perspective directions lie in mitigating plastic pollution on both the sources identified by plastic waste and derived debris generation from individual human activity and the sinks associated with free debris exposure to natural environments. Reducing plastic use, waste reuse, repurposing, and recycling can fully mitigate these negative externalities but also generate greenhouse gas emissions, which requires decarbonization under climate commitments.
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