ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Scientists at Sandia National Labs are working on a new concept to recycling plastics; recycling these plastics from the inside out.
According to research from the Environmental Protection Agency, once in the environment, plastics take between 100 and 1,000 years to decompose. Currently, recycling methods often involve melting or shredding plastic to reform it into new objects. Sandia organic materials scientist Brad Jones says most research in the field focuses on creating mixtures and compounds that break down plastics and placing plastics in a reactor with these compounds.
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The scientists at Sandia are researching a different concept of breaking the plastics down from the inside. This idea involves creating the plastics with some of these compounds already built in, so the plastics will decompose themselves over time. The research team has tested its idea and had positive results on a form of plastic which is a widely used synthetic rubber. Researchers says the next step involves reaching out to manufacturers as partners and further developing the idea. For a complete breakdown on the project and research, click here.