Using sunlight to recycle black plastics: Additive makes materials useful
December 02, 2024
December 02, 2024
ITHACA, New York, Dec. 2 -- Cornell University issued the following news:
Not all plastics are equal some types and colors are easier to recycle than others. Black foam and black coffee lids, which are often made of polystyrene, usually end up in landfills because color additives lead to ineffective sorting. Now, researchers report the ability to leverage one additive in black plastics, with the help of sunlight or white LEDs, to convert black and colored polystyrene waste into reus . . .
Not all plastics are equal some types and colors are easier to recycle than others. Black foam and black coffee lids, which are often made of polystyrene, usually end up in landfills because color additives lead to ineffective sorting. Now, researchers report the ability to leverage one additive in black plastics, with the help of sunlight or white LEDs, to convert black and colored polystyrene waste into reus . . .