The challenging past has instilled a habit of cherishing resources, even as living conditions have improved.

It is particularly crucial to prioritize ecological conservation and uphold green development in the current era of high-quality development.

Against the backdrop of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, the efficient utilization of waste materials holds significant importance. In the context of carbon neutrality, the focus is shifting from merely encouraging recycling to being demand-driven.

Taking the example of plastic waste recycling, various countries have mandated the inclusion of recycled plastics in plastic products, prompting consumer brands to make commitments to incorporate recycled plastics. For instance, sportswear giant Nike stated in its 2019 Impact Report that 76% of its footwear and apparel used recyclable materials. Nike has converted over 7.5 billion plastic bottles collected from landfills and other sources into usable materials since 2010.

However, transitioning from everyday consumer plastic waste, such as PET bottles, to materials for producing shoes and clothing that circulate back to consumers in the market, poses several challenges within the circular economy.

Accelerating the development of a recycling system for waste materials contributes to elevating the level of resource recycling. The vast quantity and broad scope of waste materials have traditionally been treated as garbage, leading to contamination and loss of reuse value. Ordinary waste disposal facilities and personnel often lack the specialized capability for comprehensive and efficient handling, hindering the full and efficient recovery of waste materials.

The use of processing aids can address technical challenges during the recycling process, enhancing the efficiency and quality of plastic recycling. For instance, certain surfactants aid in ink and label removal, defoamers simplify the washing process, and dehydrating agents facilitate energy and time savings in the drying process.

According to calculations by a chemical company, these processing aids contribute to a roughly 5% increase in the volume of recycled plastics.

For plastics that are unsuitable for mechanical recycling, the chemical industry is researching various chemical recycling technologies. For example, a company is developing a methanolysis process to promote the recycling of highly polluted PET waste.

This technology allows for the recovery of valuable raw materials from heavily soiled, colored, and additive-laden discarded plastics. The feasibility of this technology has been confirmed in the laboratory, and efforts are underway to explore its scaled application.

However, achieving the true circular value of plastics requires upgrades and innovations across various stages of the industry chain, and collaborative value chain partnerships have become a consensus.

Expediting the construction of a recycling system for waste materials contributes to enhancing resource security capabilities. In terms of resource utilization, extravagance is not permissible, and one must maximize utility, exercise precision, and minimize waste. By fully tapping into the potential of recycling waste materials, significant resource savings can be achieved, holding profound significance for enhancing resource security capabilities.