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The Discovery FilesUpcycling with Sunlight
The recycling rate of commonly used plastics is less than one percent, but that accounts for nearly a third of all the waste, in all the landfills, worldwide. Researchers are looking to harness the power of the sun, in a climate-friendly process, to upcycle plastic waste, in hopes of increasing the rate of plastics recycling. Learn more at NSF's "The Discovery Files."
Credit: National Science Foundation
Upcycling with Sunlight
This is The Discovery Files, from the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Ever wondered how much plastic waste could be recycled? The recycling rate of commonly used plastics is less than one percent, but that accounts for nearly a third of all the waste, in all the landfills, worldwide!
Supported by NSF, a team of chemists at Cornell University are looking to harness the power of the sun to upcycle plastic waste, in hopes of increasing the rate of plastics recycling.
They created a climate-friendly process to upcycle polystyrene, commonly used in a variety of consumer products and commercial packaging. Think egg cartons and Styrofoam packing peanuts.
The process uses light and oxygen and an iron-based catalyst to convert the material into benzoic acid.
Benzoic acid is used to carbonate your favorite soda, as a food preservative, an ingredient in insect repellent and topical medications, and even in many perfumes.
The researchers are continuing their work towards increased efficiency for large scale commercial use.
Discover how the U.S. National Science Foundation is advancing research at nsf.gov.
"The discovery files" covers projects funded by the government's National Science Foundation. Federally sponsored research -- brought to you, by you! Learn more at nsf.gov or on our podcast.
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