Plastic waste turned into CO2 capture material

Scientists turn plastic waste into CO2-capturing material.

Why it matters

  • Addresses plastic pollution and climate change simultaneously.
  • Uses PET plastic, a major environmental pollutant.

By the numbers

  • PET plastic is over 60% carbon by weight.
  • Material called BAETA can capture CO2 efficiently.

The big picture

  • Process is gentle and scalable for industrial use.
  • Material is reusable by heating to release CO2.

What they're saying

  • Commenters question efficiency compared to other methods.
  • Hope for real-world implementation.

Caveats

  • Main challenge is securing investment for scaling up.
  • Need to persuade decision-makers to invest.

What’s next

  • Researchers aim to scale up production to tonnes.
  • Plan to make the invention financially sustainable.