Green Conversion of Polymeric and Textile Waste into Functional Materials
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 28
Special Issue Editors
2. Chemistry Department, University of Turin, V. P. Giuria 7, Torino, Italy
Interests: biopolymer; waste valorization; polymer synthesis and characterization; textile
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
2. Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, V. P. Giuria 7 and 9, Torino, Italy
Interests: starch; dextrin; cyclodextrin; green solvents; NADES; polymer synthesis; characterization and application; molecularly imprinted polymers; hydrogels
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The global waste challenge has become increasingly critical, threatening ecosystems, human health, and the sustainability of natural resources. Among the various waste streams, polymeric and textile wastes pose particularly complex and persistent environmental issues. Each year, millions of tons of textile waste are discarded in landfills or incinerated, contributing to environmental degradation. The recycling and disposal of textile waste are particularly challenging due to the complex composition of fabrics, which often include blends of synthetic polymers, dyes, and chemical finishes. A similar challenge exists with plastic waste. More than 400 million tons of plastic is produced annually, with a substantial proportion ending up in landfills or the natural environment. The accumulation of plastic waste, especially single-use products, contributes to soil and water contamination, marine biodiversity loss, and the release of hazardous substances during degradation or incineration.
Conventional waste management and recycling systems are often ineffective in managing plastic and textile waste. In this context, green conversion technologies are gaining attention as a sustainable approach to transform waste into high-value, functional materials. Typically, functional materials exhibit specific physical or chemical properties that enable them to perform particular functions beyond structural roles. These materials are critical in a wide range of applications, including energy storage, catalysis, sensing, electronics, biomedical devices, and environmental remediation.
In light of these considerations, scientists worldwide are actively exploring innovative pathways—chemical, biological, and physical—for converting plastic and textile waste into materials with applications in energy, construction, agriculture, electronics, and more. This Special Issue, “Green Conversion of Polymeric and Textile Waste into Functional Materials”, aims to provide a platform for researchers and practitioners to share their latest findings, methodologies, and insights in the field of green plastic and textile waste valorization. By showcasing leading-edge studies and pioneering innovations, the Special Issue aims to stimulate novel research directions and enhance the visibility of solutions that are crucial for fostering collaboration, which is essential for achieving a sustainable future.
Dr. Anastasia Anceschi
Dr. Gjylije Hoti
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- green chemistry
- polymer conversion
- textile waste valorization
- plastic management
- resource recovery
- recycling
- upcycling
- functional materials
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
