Leveraging biogenic resources to achieve global plastic decarbonization by 2050.

ABSTRACT: There is a rising urgency to decarbonize plastic production given its high carbon footprint and rapid growth in demand. Here, we highlight pathways for carbon uptake and temporary storage (i.e., net-negative greenhouse gas emissions) for plastics on a global scale by 2050. We focus on bio-based plastics and consider potential market replacement, renewable energy integration, and waste management practices. Our analysis reveals that achieving net-negative emissions requires high levels of all three strategies. For example, reaching 60% bio-based plastics still requires 100% renewable energy and 90% recycling, while 40% recycling requires 90% bio-based plastics with 100% renewable energy. Maximizing all three variables could store up to 270 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents

SUBMITTER: Van Roijen E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12361497 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature