Plastic pollution is not a recent concern. Before synthetic plastics, natural polymers like rubber and cellulose were widely used. However, the invention of Bakelite by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland in 1907 marked the beginning of large-scale plastic production.
By the mid-20th century, global plastic manufacturing reached approximately two million tonnes annually. Today, this number exceeds 400 million tonnes, and if current trends persist, it is projected to reach an astonishing 1100 million tonnes by 2050.
Despite recycling efforts, only about 10 per cent of the seven billion tonnes of plastic waste produced globally has been effectively recycled. Since plastic does not naturally decompose, it breaks down into microplastics, contaminating air, water, and soil – even in remote locations like Antarctica.
Plastic recycling primarily relies on mechanical and chemical processes. Mechanical recycling, which involves sorting, washing and grinding waste into raw materials, is widely used due to its cost-effectiveness. However, its limitations include quality degradation with each cycle and difficulty processing mixed or multilayered plastics. Chemical recycling, which breaks plastics down into their molecular components for reuse, can handle mixed waste but is costly due to high energy demands and infrastructure requirements.
Radiation technology, particularly using gamma rays and electron beams, is transforming plastic recycling with a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable approach. Unlike conventional methods that rely on energy-intensive processes and chemical additives, irradiation modifies the chemical structure of plastics at the molecular level, improving their recyclability and compatibility. This method enables the processing of mixed plastics without extensive sorting and facilitates the production of high-performance materials, such as durable tiles, bricks, and construction boards.
Another key advantage of irradiation technology is its role in developing bio-based plastics from renewable sources like agricultural waste and biomass. These eco-friendly alternatives often lack mechanical strength, limiting their industrial use. However, irradiation enhances their structural properties, making them viable for broader applications. Blending irradiated plastic waste with natural fibres, such as rice husk or bamboo, produces superior strength and thermal resistance composites, benefiting industries like packaging, automotive and construction.
Irradiation also improves sorting by refining polymer identification, leading to higher purity and better-quality recycled plastics. It enhances chemical recycling methods like pyrolysis, where plastic polymers break down into fuel or raw materials for new products without requiring virgin plastics. Beyond conventional recycling, irradiation enables innovative applications, such as blending plastic waste with other materials to create high-performance products.
In the Philippines, irradiated plastics have been successfully used to enhance mechanical properties like tensile strength and abrasion resistance in construction materials. Similarly, in Indonesia, irradiated plastic waste has been used as a compatibilizer for thatch made from recycled plastic and rice husk.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is spearheading the fight against plastic pollution through its NUTEC Plastics initiative, which leverages nuclear science and radiation technology to tackle plastic waste at its origin and in marine environments. By integrating innovative recycling techniques and scientific monitoring, this programme aims to reduce plastic pollution's environmental and health impacts while promoting sustainable waste management solutions.
A key aspect of NUTEC Plastics is improving recycling efficiency and increasing the use of upcycled plastics. Traditional recycling methods face challenges due to contamination, mixed polymers, and material degradation. The IAEA is addressing these issues through radiation-assisted recycling, which restructures plastic polymers, allowing for the processing of previously non-recyclable materials. This technique enhances durability, strength, and usability, expanding applications in industries such as construction, automotive, and packaging.
In addition to recycling advancements, NUTEC Plastics tackles plastic pollution in marine environments. Plastics that escape waste management systems enter rivers and oceans, threatening marine ecosystems. Nuclear techniques, such as radiotracer technology and neutron activation analysis, allow scientists to trace, monitor and analyse plastic pollution – particularly microplastics – providing valuable data to identify pollution sources, assess impacts, and develop mitigation strategies.
To scale up these efforts, the IAEA has partnered with nine countries across Asia, Latin America and Africa to establish radiation-assisted pilot plants. These facilities serve as innovation hubs for refining and expanding radiation-based recycling on an industrial scale, demonstrating its effectiveness and encouraging broader adoption by governments and industries. By supporting these projects, the IAEA is empowering developing nations to utilise nuclear technology in tackling plastic pollution while fostering expertise in nuclear science applications.
Through NUTEC Plastics, the IAEA is driving scientific and technological innovations that bridge the gap between plastic waste management and nuclear science. By addressing plastic pollution at its source and in marine environments, this initiative plays a crucial role in environmental conservation, marine protection, and sustainable recycling solutions. The collaboration among participating countries signals a growing global commitment to harnessing nuclear technology for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The role of irradiation in tackling plastic pollution will be a key topic at the Third International Conference on Applications of Radiation Science and Technology (ICARST 2025), scheduled to take place in Vienna this month. This conference, organised by the IAEA, will bring together experts from diverse fields such as radiation physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering. The event aims to highlight the latest advancements in radiation technologies and their applications in sustainable plastic recycling. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss how nuclear techniques, including gamma and electron beam irradiation, can be utilised to enhance plastic waste management, improve polymer properties, and support the development of circular economy models. To ensure accessibility, the conference will offer a livestream option, allowing global audiences to participate in the sessions remotely.
Beyond ICARST 2025, two other significant international events in 2025 will focus on advancing NUTEC Plastics, an initiative that integrates nuclear science and technology into plastic waste management and marine pollution monitoring.
In October, the Republic of Korea will host an event featuring IAEA tools for circular economy assessment and technological maturity evaluation. This gathering will emphasise how radiation technology can support the sustainable management of plastic waste by improving recycling processes and assessing material lifecycle impacts. Experts will present case studies demonstrating the successful implementation of radiation-assisted recycling technologies and discuss strategies to integrate these innovations into industrial applications. The event will also explore public-private partnerships as a means to drive large-scale adoption of nuclear-assisted plastic recycling solutions.
In November, the Philippines will host the first high-level international forum on NUTEC Plastics, which will focus on the initiative's recycling and marine monitoring components. This forum will bring together policymakers, nuclear scientists, environmental organisations, and industry leaders to discuss the role of radiation-based techniques in addressing plastic pollution in oceans and coastal environments. Special attention will be given to radiotracers and neutron activation analysis, which are being used to track plastic waste dispersal in marine ecosystems.
The forum will also provide insights into the progress of radiation-assisted recycling pilot plants in various regions, including Asia, Latin America and Africa. These pilot projects are critical in demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of nuclear technology in plastic waste management and will inform future policy decisions and investment strategies.
The upcoming conferences in 2025 underscore the importance of international collaboration in advancing radiation-assisted plastic recycling. By bringing together experts from multiple disciplines, these events will facilitate knowledge exchange and drive the development of innovative technologies for sustainable plastic waste management. As nuclear-assisted recycling continues to gain recognition as a viable solution to plastic pollution, these forums will help shape the global approach to waste reduction and circular economy initiatives.
Through collaborative efforts, the IAEA and its partners are working towards a future where plastic waste is effectively managed, environmental impacts are minimised and sustainable practices become the standard in industries worldwide.
The writer is a professor of physics at the University of Karachi.