Abstract

Polymers are one of the most versatile materials because of their excellent cost to performance ratio and durability. These reasons have driven the extensive usage of polymers in many common applications, and often, their lifespan exceeds the needs of the application. This generates streams of polymer wastes which retain a substantial amount of their original properties and, therefore, could be recycled. Mechanical, chemical, and thermal recycling can be used for polymer recycling, although in the latter case, the polymeric component is lost by thermal degradation (energy recovery). This article reviews the recycling strategies which allow producing new polymeric materials from waste and the current research trends that could enable new opportunities for creating high -value polymeric products from what is now considered as waste.