The Quest to Recycle the Unrecyclable
Thirty percent of plastic ends up in products that can’t be recycled even if collected. DOE is investing in Spartan research to help fix that.
The plastics problem, like onions, has layers. With a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, Michigan State University’s Muhammad Rabnawaz is starting to peel away some of those problematic layers to make plastics more recyclable.
Rabnawaz’s grant is one of seven awarded by DOE, totaling $13.4 million, to reduce plastic waste and emissions from the plastics industry in the United States.
I’m proud that Michigan’s academic and scientific communities continue to lead the world in research and cutting-edge innovation that has been invaluable in the fight to address climate change,” said U.S. Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan. “Michigan State University is a world-class institution — and I’m excited they will continue to spearhead efforts to reduce plastic waste and create more sustainable environments, making our communities even better places to work, live and raise a family.Muhammad Rabnawaz, MSU Assistant Professor