PET Waste Upcycling with Polysaccharides: Promising Alternative for Sustainability─Review

The accumulation of plastic waste is a challenge in today's society owing to the several adverse effects on the environment caused by it. Among plastics, poly-(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a polymer that stands out as a significant source of pollution due to its extensive use in disposable packaging. Strategies involving PET upcycling can significantly contribute to the reduction of plastic waste. This perspective presents a recent trend in PET upcycling, focusing on the combination of PET waste with polysaccharides to obtain high-value-added materials. The influence of adding different types of polysaccharides and various preparation methods on the properties of recycled PET (rPET)-based membranes is thoroughly discussed. In addition, the relationship between the properties and applications of the rPET/polysaccharide membranes is addressed. In addition to demonstrating the potential and versatility of these materials, this review identifies challenges related to their industrialization, sustainability, and circularity, while also proposing future research directions for PET upcycling with polysaccharides.