Could Turning Plastics into Detergents Help with Plastic Pollution?

Plastic pollution is a major issue facing the health of our planet. Plastics do not biodegrade, meaning that, once produced, they stick around forever. The buildup of plastics in the environment has negative implications for the environment, biodiversity, and even human health. Unfortunately, single-use plastics continue to be widely used. These plastics are used once, then thrown away which contributes greatly to the epidemic of plastic Pollution. Single-use plastics can include food packaging, medical equipment, and much more. However, scientists at the University of California at Santa Barbara have recently found an exciting way to re-purpose some of these plastics. 

The team of researchers published a paper in the scientific journal Chem detailing a way polyolefins can be turned into alkylaromatics. Alkylaromatics are crucial components of surfactants. Surfactants are key components of detergents. Currently, fossil fuels are used to produce surfactants. However, the team from UCSB has pointed out that if plastic waste can be repurposed to make surfactants, this decreases the amounts of fossil fuels required by the industry. Additionally, it will give plastics a second life and keep them from entering the environment through landfills. 

The team’s paper details a way of streamlining the process of turning plastic waste into surfactants. Notably, the improvements detailed in the paper cut the amount of time the process required from 24 hours to only a few hours. Although further improvements are needed, the team feels that this is a viable way to reduce plastic waste. 

While the team’s findings are exciting, further investigation is also needed into the environmental impact of this process. Although reusing plastic wastes reduces greenhouse gas emissions from raw materials, the energy costs and emissions of the process itself have yet to be determined. Still, these findings offer a hopeful path for reducing plastic Pollution. 

Sign this petition Urging Countries Around the World to Ban Single-Use Plastics!

Solution Not Pollution by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

Related Content: 

• Glass vs Plastic: 4 Things You Need to Know
• “Plastic-Free Barbie” Hoax Done to Raise Awareness of Famous Doll’s Environmental Impact
• The ‘Chasing Arrows’ Recycling Symbol Faces Replacement
• New Revolutionary Recycling Method for Colored Plastics
• Plastic Pollution on Coral Reefs Found at Crazy Depths

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and essential stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!