Role of Nanotechnology in Reducing Plastic Pollution

Abstract

Plastic pollution has grown into one of the most significant environmental burdens for the 21st century, with growing concerns associated with its impacts on both ecosystems and human health. The available methods and technologies in the realms of traditional waste management and recycling increasingly prove impossible to cope with the enormous scope of plastic waste created every day by human beings. In this respect, nanotechnology holds great promise as a new transformative approach to plastic pollution mitigation. This research work focuses on how nanotechnology assists in plastic pollution, focusing on three important areas: enhancing plastic degradation, improving methods for recycling, and developing alternative materials. The work looks at how nanotechnology can degrade plastics more quickly by using nano catalysts. Examples are nano-catalysts of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which have the capability to degrade plastic polymers into less harmful by-products under varying environmental conditions. The review thereafter summarizes recent development in effectiveness and efficiency of such nano-catalysts in making a considerable impact on plastic waste persistence in the environment