Collection Overview

Scientific Reports has launched a Guest-Edited Collection on Plastic Processing and Upcycling.

The escalating crisis of plastic waste has emerged as a significant environmental challenge, necessitating innovative strategies for effective waste management and upcycling. As the global reliance on plastics continues to grow, the imperative to develop sustainable solutions is critical to mitigating the detrimental impacts on ecosystems and human health. Advances in polymer degradation, chemical recycling, and mechanical recycling are essential in creating a circular economy, where plastic materials are not merely discarded but transformed into valuable resources. Concerted efforts have been made to address the multifaceted aspects of plastic processing and upcycling, emphasizing the importance of sustainable packaging and waste-to-energy conversion in reducing the plastic footprint.

This will be a Collection of original research papers and will be open for submissions from all authors – on the condition that the manuscripts fall within the scope of the Collection and of Scientific Reports more generally. We are welcoming submissions until 19th March 2026.

Why is this Collection important? 

"The urgency to address plastic waste through sustainable innovation has never been greater. This Collection seeks to showcase transformative research that tackles the plastic crisis head-on, from novel recycling techniques to the development of biodegradable alternatives. We are excited to bring together interdisciplinary insights that advance sustainable materials science and contribute to a circular economy, reducing the environmental footprint of plastics while creating practical, scalable solutions."- Dr. Chang Gyun Kim

"The growing crisis of plastic waste represents one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time, with profound implications for ecosystems, climate resilience, and human health. Addressing this issue is central to advancing sustainable development and materials innovation, making the topic both timely and highly relevant to the scientific community and the wider world. This Collection is particularly exciting because it brings together diverse perspectives and methodologies—ranging from catalytic upcycling and thermoplastic processing to life cycle assessments and biodegradable polymers—that collectively move the field toward practical, scalable solutions. By fostering dialogue across chemistry, engineering, environmental science, and policy, the Collection creates a platform where fundamental advances can translate into real-world impact.
The potential impact of this Collection is substantial: it can accelerate the transition toward a circular economy, inform sustainable packaging strategies, and drive innovations that reduce the global plastic footprint. It will also highlight promising approaches to microplastics reduction, plastic reclamation, and waste-to-energy conversion, areas with direct societal and environmental benefits.
Researchers should consider submitting to this Collection because it offers visibility within a focused, interdisciplinary forum dedicated to solutions for one of the most pressing sustainability challenges. By contributing, authors can engage with a community committed to responsible consumption and production (UN SDG 12) and position their work at the forefront of efforts to transform plastic waste from an environmental burden into a resource for sustainable futures." - Dr. Bharat Kumar Allam

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption & Production.

Why submit to a Collection? 

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by Guest Editors, who are experts in their fields, and In-House Editors and are supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores, and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest. 

Who is involved? 

Guest Editors:

• Bharat Kumar Allam, Rajiv Gandhi University, India
• Sushmita Banerjee, Sharda University, India
• Chang Gyun Kim, Inha University, Korea

Internal Team:

• In-House Editor: Chenyu Wang, Scientific Reports, USA
• Commissioning Editor: Quintina Dawson, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK
• Managing Editor: Eleanor Smith, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK

How can I submit my paper? 

Visit the Collection page to find out more about this Collection and how to submit your article.