Reducing Environmental Plastic Pollution by Designing Polymer Materials for Managed End‐of‐Life

Abstract

AbstractPlastics are widely used synthetic materials in various industries worldwide. The abundance of plastics, which are mainly carbon‐based polymers, has led to a significant accumulation of plastic waste in landfills and the environment due to their durability and affordability. Although plastic pollution of the oceans has been known for many years, there is still limited knowledge about the composition, distribution, impact, and fate of plastic waste in the environment.In this review, the focus is on environmental pollution by plastics, highlighting the source (feedstock) and degradation behavior of these materials. The goal is to provide insights for material design strategies that address the management of plastic waste at the end of its life cycle. The authors argue that the development of materials labeled marine biodegradable or universally biodegradable is not a sufficient solution on its own to address plastic pollution. Instead, it is critical to incorporate practical plans for recovery and treatment into material and product design principles. These plans should be based on existing systems or possibly developed in parallel.In summary, this article highlights the widespread pollution of the environment by plastics and emphasizes the need for comprehensive material design strategies that include not only biodegradability but also practical recovery and treatment methods. By considering the entire lifecycle of plastics, we can work to reduce the harmful impact of plastic waste on our planet.