Plastic waste is everywhere. Oceans, rivers, streets, you name it. More than 23 million tons of plastic enter the planet’s waters each year. But what if there was a new, easier way to break it down?

Science communicator Rachel Rayner recently joined Bec and Asa to explain an exciting new method that could change the game. “This is a new technology that breaks down the plastics mainly with air.”

No, we’re not just blowing on plastic

This isn’t about blowing air on your old Coke bottle. It’s a complex process, but not impossible to understand.

First, the plastic is mixed with a carbon-based solution and a special catalyst. Then it’s exposed to air. This breaks it down into something called monomers. These are like Lego pieces that can be snapped back together to form new plastic.

“You’re pulling out the little parts to build it again,” Rachel said. “It’s part of a circular economy.”

Goodbye sorting, hello lazy recycling

One of the best things about this new method? You don’t need to sort the plastic first.

“You can mix different types of plastic, and the process still works,” Rachel explained. “Perfect for those of us who care about the environment but are a little lazy!”

Traditional recycling methods can only reuse plastic a limited number of times. For example, a plastic water bottle might only be recycled 8 times before it’s useless. But this new method keeps the materials useful again and again.

Why not just burn it or send it into space?

It may seem easier to burn plastic or shoot it into space. But that’s not a good idea.

“Burning plastic releases toxic smoke,” Rachel said. “And shooting it into space? That takes enormous energy and the plastic would just orbit the sun forever.”

Plus, plastic is made from resources on Earth. Tossing it into space wastes those resources. The smarter move is to recycle what we’ve already made.

Is it safe and scalable?

The answer is yes, at least in the lab.

“This process doesn’t use toxic chemicals,” Rachel said. “It uses small amounts of water from the air, which makes it safer and more efficient.”

The big challenge now is scaling up. Scientists from Northwestern University and partners in India are working on moving from lab tests to industrial use.

“It all depends on partnerships and investment,” said Rachel. “But this could become a global solution.”

What’s next?

The research was published in the journal Green Chemistry. Scientists are now testing it on a larger scale.

Rachel will be keeping an eye on the progress and so will we.

“There’s a lot to be excited about,” she said. “This could really help us clean up our act.”

Listen to the full conversation below.