Sustainable & Recyclable Polymers

Catalog description

This course provides a broad exploration of polymer material recycling and concepts of sustainable plastics. In particular, course provides an overview of polymeric material recycling and sustainability concepts. The components for the class are arranged as: (1) general overview of plastics and size/economics of the industry, (2) historical aspects on recycling of plastics, (3) environmental costs/savings with plastic use, (4) economics of plastics versus alternative materials, (5) mechanical recycling flaws, (6) environmental degradation and contamination, (7) "new" concepts of advanced recycling, (8) ocean plastics: where and how?, (9) microplastics: sources and impacts.