Chemical Recycling: More Pollution? Or a Sustainability Solution for Plastic?

THE DEBATE A global crisis of plastic waste is well understood to be threatening ecosystems around the world, with roughly 400 million metric tons generated annually, much of which ends up in the biosphere. But far less understood are a suite of technologies and processes that break down plastics into molecules that can be remade into new plastics or other products. Critics argue that facilities engaging in such “chemical recycling” are not in fact recycling—and through their processes are generating hazardous waste and air pollution.