Enhancing Polyelectrolyte Strength of Biopolymers for Fully Recyclable and Biodegradable Plastics

Abstract

Alternatives to conventional plastics are crucial to mitigate environmental pollution, fossil fuel dependence, and the potential risks of microplastics. Single-use packaging, the largest contributor to the growth in plastic production, faces significant recycling challenges. These plastics often persist in the environment for decades or break down into harmful microplastics. In this paper, we introduce a recyclable material created through solid polyelectrolyte complexation of naturally occurring polymers with increased polyelectrolyte strength. The material maintains stiffness comparable to thin commercial plastics even after six recycling cycles, yielding on average 98% of its mass postrecycling. Its natural biodegradability and salt-controlled recyclability support material circularity, offering a promising alternative to synthetic single-use plastic packaging.