Perspectives on sustainable plastic treatment: A shift from linear to circular economy.

The pervasive presence of plastics in the environment, particularly microplastics, has become a significant global challenge, demanding innovative solutions for their management and upcycling. While traditional methods including landfill and incineration face limitations in environmental impact, emerging technologies offer promising pathways for the conversion of plastics into valuable chemicals and fuels, operating under ambient conditions and often utilizing sustainable energy sources. Considering the current research progress in plastic upgrading, it is necessary to summarize the chemical upcycling of plastic waste. To this end, this review provides an overall examination of current and emerging methodologies for plastic treatment, including pyrolysis, hydrogenolysis, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis. Existing knowledge gaps and future research directions are then proposed. Overall, this review highlights the potential of these novel plastic management approaches in aligning with the principles of a circular economy. [Display omitted] • Chemical upcycling of plastic provides a sustainable method for plastic waste management. • Pyrolysis and hydrogenolysis show promise in depolymerizing plastic but consuming large amounts of energy. • Photocatalysis and electrocatalysis are emerging technologies that leverage renewable energy sources for plastic upcycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]