Routes to greener plastics

Abstract

Polymer Chemistry Plastics are mostly produced from fossil fuel resources and are often discarded after short-term use (see the Editorial by MacArthur). In a Perspective, Hillmyer discusses two routes toward more sustainable plastics: (i) production of the monomer building blocks of commodity polymers from plant resources and (ii) creation of new plant-based polymers that can compete with existing fossil fuel–based products. In a related Perspective, Garcia and Robertson look at why only a small percentage of mixed plastic waste is recycled. They highlight three main steps to more recycling: advances in mixed-plastics recycling, reducing the energy requirements for chemical recycling methods, and exploding the range of plastics that can be recycled. In a third Perspective, Albertsson and Hakkarainen look at the possible roles of degradable polymers in reducing plastic waste. Science , this issue p. [868][1], p. [870][2], p. [872][3]; see also p. [843][4] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aao6711 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aaq0324 [3]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aap8115 [4]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aao6749