Next-generation plastic recycling: Breakthrough developments and the path toward a circular economy

Uddin, Md Bahar and Islam, Md Razibul and Uddin, Md Nazim and halim, Abdul (2025) Next-generation plastic recycling: Breakthrough developments and the path toward a circular economy. World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences, 16 (1). pp. 513-527. ISSN 2582-8266

The increasing amount of plastic garbage is a major global environmental problem that demands innovative and effective recycling strategies. It is evident that traditional mechanical recycling is not sufficient due to its being limited to certain types of garbage and limitation of material quality degradation over time. Thus, development in advanced plastic recycling technology is crucial for moving toward a sustainable circular economy. This detailed research gives an overview of these key advancements. The study investigates some of the newest technologies, such as chemical depolymerization, which breaks down polymers into high-quality monomers; catalytic pyrolysis, which turns mixed plastics into useful feedstocks; and innovative enzymatic treatments, providing gentle and selective degrading routes. This article also highlights some of the most important developments in process innovation and better feedstock preparation, as well as the important trade-offs between these methods' economic and environmental effects. Finally, it gives suggestions for how to move forward with future research, stresses the importance of integrated recycling processes, and lists the policy changes that need to be made to speed up the widespread use of these game-changing solutions. These initiatives will eventually lead to the creation of a truly circular economy for plastics.