Nylon Biodegradation and Chemical Recycling

Abstract

Nylon is a synthetic plastic that is commonly used in a variety of commercial products, including textiles, medical devices, and automobiles. Nylon has been considered non-biodegradable. Since there is currently no way to recycle nylon, its waste is destined to be sent to landfills or incineration.

In this presentation, I will describe multiple approaches our lab has taken to tackle the issue of nylon waste while at the same time ensuring the process has a minimal environmental impact. First, I will describe chemical and physical properties of nylon that hinder easy degradation and recycling. Then I will share two of our recent discoveries: 1) Tenebrio molitor (mealworm)-based degradation of nylon polymers and the potential contribution of their gut microbiome, and 2) non-toxic solvent-based chemical conversion of nylon polymers to monomers, which would allow for the production of second-generation recycled nylon.