Summary

Plastics, with their affordability, long-lasting nature, and adaptability, have become indispensable in modern society. However, they also bring significant ecological and financial challenges. In 2015, a staggering 79% of the 6,300 million tons of plastic waste produced was either dumped in landfills or ended up in the environment. A mere 9% was recycled into lower-quality items, underscoring the urgent need to address the ineffectiveness of current waste management methods. The proliferation of microplastics and nano plastics, tiny fragments of plastic from consumer products and environmental damage, is a growing concern. They are infiltrating ecosystems and the human food chain, posing a serious threat to food safety, agriculture, and acting as carriers of pollutants and diseases.

Moreover, plastics play a significant role in climate change, as their emissions throughout their life cycle are projected to increase significantly by 2050. The existing recycling methods are expensive, inefficient, and ecologically detrimental, highlighting a pressing requirement for innovative and sustainable technology. This project aims to identify and assess catalysts that can break down widely used polymers like polyethene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. This will be achieved through a methodical approach by carrying out reactions and testing using sophisticated analytical techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography and spectroscopy. The ultimate goal is to enhance the degradation process and thoroughly analyze the resulting byproducts. This project seeks to align with Oman’s environmental policies by improving waste management and recycling technology. It aims to give a regional solution to polymer waste, effectively reducing environmental impacts and establishing scalable and sustainable practices.

Objectives

1- Determining Appropriate Catalysts for Polymer Degradation

2- Degradation Studies with the Selected Catalysts

3- Examining the Degradation Products

Funding Agency:

MOHERI