PatIntNews

A novel method of recycling plastic bottle waste has been discovered by researchers, N.D. Pingale and S.R. Shukla of Department of Fibres and Textile Processing Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology (Autonomous), University of Mumbai.

They have used microwave energy and several catalysts to recycle poly ethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle waste by using glycolysis, a chemical recycling process in the presence of microwave and several other chemicals. In this method, PET was broken down to bis-(2-hydroxyethylene) terephthalate (BHET) using energy from a 800 watt domestic microwave oven involving ethylene glycol and catalysts and chemicals like zinc acetate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and barium hydroxide.

The yield of BHET, so obtained from PET was nearly the same as that obtained earlier by conventional electric heating reducing time drastically from 8 hours to 35 minutes in completion of reaction.

The research is significant as recycling one plastic bottle saves enough energy to light a 60W light bulb for over 6 hours. Moreover, BHET can also be converted back to the PET production process. This method is not only simple and eco-friendly but also saves in energy and time.