100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Redefining Sustainable Polymers

TLDR

Staudinger’s early work on macromolecules foreshadowed their vast potential, yet the current 6.3 billion‑ton plastic waste crisis underscores the need for sustainable polymer chemistry. The authors advocate prioritizing chemical recycling and routine life‑cycle assessment to guide the polymer community toward a closed‑loop economy. A literature review shows growing interest in sustainable polymers, largely centered on biomass feedstocks, while end‑of‑life considerations remain underexplored.

Abstract

Although Staudinger realized makromoleküles had enormous potential, he likely did not anticipate the consequences of their universal adoption. With 6.3 billion metric tons of plastic waste now contaminating our land, water, and air, we are facing an environmental and public health crisis. Synthetic polymer chemists can help create a more sustainable future, but are we on the right path to do so? Herein, a comprehensive literature survey reveals that there has been an increased focus on "sustainable polymers" in recent years, but most papers focus on biomass-derived feedstocks. In contrast, there is less focus on polymer end-of-life fates. Moving forward, we suggest an increased emphasis on chemical recycling, which sees value in plastic waste and promotes a closed-loop plastic economy. To help keep us on the path to sustainability, the synthetic polymer community should routinely seek the systems perspective offered by life cycle assessment.