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Plastic Waste Recycling, Applications, and Future Prospects for a Sustainable Environment

Author

Listed:
  • Ghulamullah Maitlo

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Imran Ali

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Aiwan-e-Tijarat Road, Karachi 74000, Pakistan)

  • Hubdar Ali Maitlo

    (Key Laboratory of Pollution Process and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
    Department of Energy and Environment Engineering, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Safdar Ali

    (Asian Institute of Fashion Design, Iqra University, Karachi 75500, Pakistan)

  • Imran Nazir Unar

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro 76062, Pakistan)

  • Muhammad Bilal Ahmad

    (MOE Key Laboratory of Thermo-Fluid Science and Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China)

  • Darya Khan Bhutto

    (Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Ramesh Kumar Karmani

    (Department of Computer System Engineering, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Shamim ur Rehman Naich

    (Department of Computer System Engineering, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Raja Umer Sajjad

    (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Hazara University Mansehra, Mansehra 21120, Pakistan)

  • Sikandar Ali

    (Department of Basic Science and Humanities, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Muhammad Naveed Afridi

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea)

Abstract

Plastic waste accumulation has been recognized as one of the most critical challenges of modern societies worldwide. Traditional waste management practices include open burning, landfilling, and incineration, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions and economic loss. In contrast, emerging techniques for plastic waste management include microwave-assisted conversion, plasma-assisted conversion, supercritical water conversion, and photo reforming to obtain high-value products. Problems with poorly managed plastic waste are particularly serious in developing countries. This review article examines the emerging strategies and production of various high-value-added products from plastic waste. Additionally, the uses of plastic waste in different sectors, such as construction, fuel production, wastewater treatment, electrode materials, carbonaceous nanomaterials, and other high-value-added products are reviewed. It has been observed that there is a pressing need to utilize plastic waste for a circular economy and recycling for different value-added products. More specifically, there is limited knowledge on emerging plastic waste conversion mechanisms and efficiency. Therefore, this review will help to highlight the negative environmental impacts of plastic waste accumulation and the importance of modern techniques for waste management.

Suggested Citation

  • Ghulamullah Maitlo & Imran Ali & Hubdar Ali Maitlo & Safdar Ali & Imran Nazir Unar & Muhammad Bilal Ahmad & Darya Khan Bhutto & Ramesh Kumar Karmani & Shamim ur Rehman Naich & Raja Umer Sajjad & Sikan, 2022. "Plastic Waste Recycling, Applications, and Future Prospects for a Sustainable Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-27, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:18:p:11637-:d:916928
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Milon Selvam Dennison & Sathish Kumar Paramasivam & Titus Wanazusi & Kirubanidhi Jebabalan Sundarrajan & Bubu Pius Erheyovwe & Abisha Meji Marshal Williams, 2025. "Addressing Plastic Waste Challenges in Africa: The Potential of Pyrolysis for Waste-to-Energy Conversion," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-41, March.
    2. Harrison Appiah & Ezra Bar-Ziv & Jordan L. Klinger & Armando G. McDonald, 2025. "Exploring New Applications of Municipal Solid Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-18, April.
    3. Krzysztof Chmielowski & Wiktor Halecki & Adam Masłoń & Łukasz Bąk & Marek Kalenik & Marcin Spychała & Arkadiusz Niedziółka & Mariusz Łaciak & Michał Roman & Jakub Mazurkiewicz, 2023. "Use of Shredded Recycled Plastic as Filter Bed Packing in a Vertical Flow Filter for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Plants: Preliminary Findings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-14, January.

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