Sustainable Alternatives to Nondegradable Medical Plastics

Abstract

In light of the global climate crisis and commitments toward net-zero carbon emissions, this Perspective evaluates the current status of developments in recycling methods and bioplastics to identify long-term sustainable alternatives. The recycling and product application of major medical plastics, including poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), are discussed, and their circular potential is evaluated. Researchers are actively investigating bioplastics to solve present concerns and curb the global increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from petroleum-based plastics. Current recycling methods for PE and PP can be scaled up, and bioversions of plastics, such as bio-PE and bio-PP, can be used as a long-term sustainable solutions to realize their circular potential. As an alternative to PVC and PS, materials with inefficient recycling methods, recent promising bioplastics such as polyurethane (PU) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) have a competitive performance. Our Perspective recognizes the need for further research on issues such as integrated recycling processes and the possibility of commercializing bioplastics.

Recent advances and challenges in recycling and reusing biomedical materials

“…Recycling PVC, as the primarily utilized plastic in terms of volume in medical devices [ 27 , 55 ], is challenging and imposes adverse environmental impacts, especially in the forms of air pollutants and chlorine, which contaminates recycling products and causes equipment corrosion [ 38 ]. These problems are addressed by introducing catalysts, hydrogen chloride inhibitors, or pretreatment processes to increase the efficiency of recycling procedures [ 38 ].…”

Degradable flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator based on two-dimensional barium titanate nanosheets and polylactic acid

“…16,17 Nevertheless, from the perspective of protecting the environment, using toxic inorganic lead-based materials and non-degradable and bio-incompatible polymers endangers the environment and human health and impedes the development of PNGs. 18–20…”

Investigation of gauze and medical bottle co-pyrolysis on the product formation, reactivity, and reaction pathway of char, liquid oil, and gas

“…The quality of pyrolysis products is highly dependent on feedstock characteristics and temperature parameters [ 23 ]. In particular, the complex components and unbalanced proportion of medical waste significantly affect the pyrolysis process and the distribution of products [ 24 ]. In fact, biomass and plastic products account for the largest proportion of medical waste components, more than 60%.…”