Plastics Circularity: Origins and New Developments in Recycling

Today's technologies are ready for the recycle and reuse of a variety of post-consumer plastic streams. However, achieving scale and competitive economics are necessary to create a circular economy for plastics and create a significant impact. Join an expert panel as they contribute their perspectives from various parts of the recycling process and offer a primer in the history of recycling and the contemporary efforts to move from a linear plastics economy to a circular one.

First, Mimi Joy Cooper and Kaitlyn Zajkowski of the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority will discuss how they provide environmentally sound and economically efficient integrated waste management as well as the unique challenges that engenders for their team, particularly on football Saturdays at Penn State University. Next Jeff Carbeck of Eastman Chemical will provide an overview of chemical recycling as well as the innovative processes their company applies with PET resin. Finally, Hendrik Dullinger of EFS-plastics Inc. will introduce and explore the state-of-the art mechanical recycling of multiple polymer types.

This ACS Webinar is moderated by Bill Tuszynski of the Science History Institute is co-produced with SHI as part of the Joseph Priestley Society (JPS) series that promotes a deeper understanding of science, technology, and industry, with an emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship.

What You Will Learn:

• What are the critical success factors for collecting and sorting post-consumer recycled plastics
• How chemical recycling allows for the cost-effective production of virgin resin
• How mechanical recyclers meet customer performance requirements