(RSIS International, 2025-11-19) Guellout, Aya; Guellout, Ameni; Guellout, Meriem; Gil Bravo, Antonio; Ciencias; Zientziak; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2
The management of plastic waste poses a significant environmental challenge, with large amounts of plastic
ending up in landfills and oceans every year. Traditional recycling methods often fail, especially for complex
plastics like multi-layer films and composites. Deep eutectic solvents (DES), a class of non-toxic and
biodegradable solvents, offer a promising solution for plastic recycling. DES can dissolve and degrade a wide
range of plastics, such as polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), by breaking
polymer chains and transforming plastics into reusable products or valuable monomers. Compared to
conventional recycling methods, DES offer several advantages, including selective dissolution of specific
plastics, low environmental impact, and the potential for recycling at ambient temperatures, which reduces
energy consumption. However, challenges remain, including high viscosity, selective solubility, and the need
for solvent regeneration. The future of DES in plastic recycling lies in the development of improved solvent
systems, their integration into industrial processes, and their use in green chemistry. Ultimately, DES offer a
sustainable solution for enhancing plastic waste management and contributing to a circular economy.
