Nuclear science applied to plastic upcycling and fuel recycling

Advancements in nuclear science are being applied to both environmental waste management and energy efficiency. In the Philippines, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are utilizing the PREx Plastic project to upcycle low-value plastics into durable construction materials. Through irradiation and reactive extrusion, hard-to-recycle plastics are transformed into water-resistant, termite-proof tiles, bricks, and panels. This initiative is part of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) global NUTEC Plastics program.

Simultaneously, researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) are exploring ways to close the nuclear fuel cycle by recycling spent nuclear fuel. Because used fuel often retains over 90 percent of its original energy-producing potential, experts are looking to advanced chemical processes and artificial intelligence to optimize monitoring and recover materials for next-generation reactors. These efforts aim to minimize long-term radioactive waste while maximizing energy output.