Closing the PET plastic recycling loop: A sustainable transformation from plastic to fiber

Abstract

Universities and colleges are becoming models for the rest of the world in sustainability initiatives. A Dubai-based university has taken action by collaborating with two industry entities in the application of the 3 R Model to promote sustainability. This article aims to investigate each phase of this collaboration, which includes a waste management company to collect the community’s mixed plastic; a material recovery facility to segregate the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic; and a sustainable manufacturing solutions entity called DGrade to sustainably transform the PET plastic into fibers that produce over 200 types of fabrics. DGrade synthesizes clothing and supplies from these fabrics that are sold back to the University. This process uses 76 % less energy, 20 % less water (remaining 80 % is recycled back), and lowers carbon emissions by 79 %. Giving PET plastic a second life provides a practical solution to the challenges posed by the global plastic waste crisis and successfully closes the loop on the recycling of PET plastic.