A comprehensive review of plastic waste reduction technologies:Emerging Solutions and circularity assessments

This review provides a comprehensive analysis and comparison of plastic waste reduction technologies, focusing on chemical recycling methods like pyrolysis and depolymerization, which use chemical and enzymatic processes to break down single polymers and plastic mixtures into reusable monomers and other high-value products. Using circularity indicators, we assess the eco-effectiveness of these technologies, comparing their potential to support a sustainable plastic economy. Unlike conventional reviews, this work includes a global perspective from academia, industry, and policy, on developing and implementing these technologies, examining diverse approaches across regions and the role of engineering education in promoting sustainable practices. Emerging technologies, including plasma gasification and electrochemical depolymerization, are discussed in this work, as well as the corresponding challenges and opportunities for scalability, and integration with existing technologies, providing insights into the pathways for enhancing plastic waste reduction worldwide.