Next-Generation Polymer Recycling For Circular And Sustainable Plastics

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This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | 02 | Page :
    By

    Nidhi Gupta,

  • Rachit Kumar,

  • Sunil Gupta,

  • Vedant Singh,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, India
  2. Student, Department of Information Technology, Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, India
  3. Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, India
  4. Student, Department of Mechanical Department, VIT Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Plastic waste has emerged as a serious global environmental issue because of the enormous quantities produced over the past several decades. Moreover, the continual rise in plastic production, coupled with low recycling rates, results in the steady accumulation of plastic in the environment each year. In addition, manufacturing new polymers consumes substantial amounts of energy and fossil fuel resources. Although renewable energy can reduce emissions to a great extent, still there is a need to consider the environmental impact of material production. In this review, the latest technologies regarding recycling of polymers have been discussed and also different approaches which aim to minimize the plastic waste. Emphasis is placed on the recycling routes that operate at lower temperatures and use electricity instead of heat. These approaches allow better integration with renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Enzymatic and electrochemical methods are particularly promising because they can recover high purity monomers while consuming less energy. Advanced recycling represents a significant advancement in waste management technology, offering a viable solution to the challenges posed by plastic waste. Overall, this review shows that combining advanced recycling technologies with intelligent sorting systems can support closed-loop plastic recycling, contributing to a low-carbon materials economy and holds the potential to drive meaningful progress towards a more circular and sustainable economy. 

Keywords: Plastic Recycling, Circular Economy, Enzymatic Depolymerization, AI-based Sorting, Sustainable Polymers.

How to cite this article:
Nidhi Gupta, Rachit Kumar, Sunil Gupta, Vedant Singh. Next-Generation Polymer Recycling For Circular And Sustainable Plastics. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
Nidhi Gupta, Rachit Kumar, Sunil Gupta, Vedant Singh. Next-Generation Polymer Recycling For Circular And Sustainable Plastics. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=239795


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
02
Received 12/02/2026
Accepted 05/03/2026
Published 07/04/2026
Publication Time 54 Days
34

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