Plastic recycling, a challenge to achieve a circular economy

Authors

  • María José Valarezo Ulloa Laboratorio de Análisis Químico, Universidad Nacional de Loja, Ciudadela Guillermo Falconi. Loja, Ecuador
  • Lazaro Ruiz Virgen Escuela de Ingeniería Química e Industrias Extractivas, Instituo Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional "Adolfo López Mateos", Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero. Ciudad de México, México

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54753/cedamaz.v12i2.1265

Keywords:

Recycling, Plastics, PET, Circular economy

Abstract

The elimination of plastic pollution is one of the bases for the emergence of a circular economy. The high demand for this type of material, per capita growth and a lack of awareness on consumers are leading the planet to an environmental disaster, to the point that microscopic amounts of this material are already present in food chains of the planet. Several solutions to the problem have been presented but it is unknown what measures to follow if we want to achieve environmental conservation and reduce the plastic crisis. All this, together with the lack of public policies and support from the population, as well as the excessive use of plastic in the different industrial sectors means that its production and transport represent one of the largest sources of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Faced with this reality, the recycling of plastics within a circular economy is a promising alternative that will entail the articulation of all: companies, recyclers, governments, NGOs and the population, in order to achieve a solid system and demonstrate that plastic waste has a value, and it is worth the development of new technologies for its recycling.

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Author Biographies

María José Valarezo Ulloa, Laboratorio de Análisis Químico, Universidad Nacional de Loja, Ciudadela Guillermo Falconi. Loja, Ecuador

Chemical Engineer (UTPL-Ecuador) and Agricultural Production Administration Engineer (UNL-Ecuador), Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering (IPN-Mexico) and Doctor of Science in Metallurgy and Materials (IPN-Mexico). Within my postgraduate training I specialized in the development of new polymeric materials, which involve synthesis processes, design, characterization, transport phenomena and degradation processes. I currently work as a research professor at the University (UNL-Ecuador).

Lazaro Ruiz Virgen, Escuela de Ingeniería Química e Industrias Extractivas, Instituo Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional "Adolfo López Mateos", Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero. Ciudad de México, México

PhD student in Nano Sciences and Micro Nanotechnologies from the National Polytechnic Institute - ESIQIE. Within the doctoral work, the study of: "Effect of the localization of functionals in polymeric nanoparticles sensitive to pH and temperature for applications in the oil industry" is carried out. Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from the National Polytechnic Institute - ESIQIE. The thesis work carried out: “Thermodynamic study of the influence of amino and carboxylic groups in highly functionalized polymers”. Degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universidad Veracruzana. Thesis work: “Model and simulation of the polymerization process by transfer addition – reversible fragmentation: Application to a case study.

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Published

2022-12-29

How to Cite

Valarezo Ulloa, M. J., & Ruiz Virgen, L. (2022). Plastic recycling, a challenge to achieve a circular economy. CEDAMAZ, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.54753/cedamaz.v12i2.1265

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2022): CEDAMAZ

Section

Review articles

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