Material Circularity: Principle No. 2 to Build a Circular Economy 

The change needed for material circularity

To change our waste story, we need to adopt a circular mindset. Our perception of what end-of-life means for plastic needs to change. Instead of seeing the plastic we’ve used as mere waste, we should recognize its inherent value and reuse it accordingly. Molecular recycling technologies allow us to unlock this value.

The potential of molecular recycling of plastic is immense. By embracing it, we can reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, mitigate the prevalence of plastic waste in our environments and landfills, create value for end-of-life plastics, and transform existing plastic back into molecular building blocks for future products. This transition would create a circular economy, reducing our dependence on natural resources and minimizing our negative impact.

Advantages of Molecular Recycling

• Reduces dependency on fossil fuels
• Mitigates plastic waste in environments and landfills
• Creates value for end-of-life plastics
• Transforms plastic into molecular building blocks for future products
• Promotes a circular economy
• Reduces dependence on natural resources
• Minimizes negative impact

Right now, mechanical recycling is the dominant method for recycling plastic, but it’s limited to certain types of plastic. Others that aren’t recycled or landfilled may be burned for fuel. Mechanical recycling has the lowest carbon footprint and is the most cost-effective and efficient recycling option. Wherever possible, this is the best solution.

But mechanical recycling has limitations, starting with the very narrow range of simple plastics it can process; items such as clear plastic water bottles and clear gallon milk jugs. Also, plastics that are mechanically recycled degrade each time they’re processed, until they can’t be mechanically recycled anymore. Mechanical recycling is finite. Molecular recycling is infinite because the plastics do not degrade, no matter how many times they’re processed. And the vast types and amounts of plastic that cannot be mechanically recycled — colored plastic bottles, eyeglass frames, food containers and polyester carpet are just a few — can be processed by molecular recycling.

Challenges of Mechanical Recycling

• Limited to certain types of plastic
• Plastics degrade with each recycling process
• Finite recycling option

To achieve true material circularity, we need material-to-material molecular recycling. To create a circular economy, we need to invest in better access, collection and sorting within the mechanical recycling system. We also need to build an infrastructure that supports molecular recycling to revolutionize materials.

Steps towards Material Circularity

1. Invest in better access, collection, and sorting within the mechanical recycling system
2. Build an infrastructure that supports molecular recycling
3. Promote a circular economy
4. Reduce dependence on natural resources
5. Minimize negative impact

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
   • Indicator 12.5.1: National recycling rate, tons of material recycled.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
   • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic, and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation, and technology transfer.

3. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
   • Indicator 14.1.1: Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density.

Analysis

The article addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their corresponding targets:

1. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The article highlights the need to adopt a circular mindset and change our perception of plastic waste. It emphasizes the importance of reducing waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse. This aligns with Target 12.5 of SDG 12, which aims to substantially reduce waste generation. The article also mentions the potential of molecular recycling to create a circular economy and reduce our dependence on natural resources, further supporting SDG 12.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

The article mentions that embracing molecular recycling can help reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, which aligns with the goal of SDG 13 to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Target 13.2 of SDG 13 calls for the integration of climate change measures into national policies and planning, which can be achieved by investing in better recycling systems and infrastructure, as mentioned in the article.

3. SDG 14: Life Below Water

The article emphasizes the need to mitigate the prevalence of plastic waste in our environments and landfills, which can contribute to marine pollution. This aligns with Target 14.1 of SDG 14, which aims to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution, including marine debris. The article also mentions the importance of molecular recycling in reducing plastic waste, which can help prevent plastic debris from entering the oceans.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: eastman.com

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