Plastic Degradation and Its Environmental Implications with Special Reference to Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

doi:10.3390/polym5010001

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Polymers 2013, 5(1), 1-18; doi:10.3390/polym5010001

Review

Plastic Degradation and Its Environmental Implications with Special Reference to Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Hayden K. Webb, Jaimys Arnott, Russell J. Crawford and Elena P. Ivanova *

Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, P.O. Box 218, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 30 November 2012; in revised form: 18 December 2012 / Accepted: 19 December 2012 / Published: 28 December 2012

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Abstract: With increasing global consumption and their natural resistance to degradation, plastic materials and their accumulation in the environment is of increasing concern. This review aims to present a general overview of the current state of knowledge in areas that relate to biodegradation of polymers, especially poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). This includes an outline of the problems associated with plastic pollution in the marine environment, a description of the properties, commercial manufacturing and degradability of PET, an overview of the potential for biodegradation of conventional polymers and biodegradable polymers already in production.

Keywords: biodegradation; polymers; poly(ethylene terephthalate); environment

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MDPI and ACS Style

Webb, H.K.; Arnott, J.; Crawford, R.J.; Ivanova, E.P. Plastic Degradation and Its Environmental Implications with Special Reference to Poly(ethylene terephthalate). Polymers 2013, 5, 1-18.

AMA Style

Webb HK, Arnott J, Crawford RJ, Ivanova EP. Plastic Degradation and Its Environmental Implications with Special Reference to Poly(ethylene terephthalate). Polymers. 2013; 5(1):1-18.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Webb, Hayden K.; Arnott, Jaimys; Crawford, Russell J.; Ivanova, Elena P. 2013. "Plastic Degradation and Its Environmental Implications with Special Reference to Poly(ethylene terephthalate)." Polymers 5, no. 1: 1-18.

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