A “Polymer to Polymer” Chemical Recycling of PLA Plastics by the “DE–RE Polymerization” Strategy

Plastics recycling has become an important issue based on the principle of sustainability and circular economy. Therefore, the development of a valuable chemical recycling method, to achieve the recycling process of end-of-life polylactide (PLA) waste without loss of material properties, meets unprecedented opportunities. In this regard, we propose a "DE–RE polymerization" strategy to achieve the recycling process from end-of-life PLA plastic waste to new virgin-quality PLA materials in a "polymer to polymer" mode. This approach improves the efficiency of PLA recycling and promotes the development of plastics reutilization.