Investigating the Applicability of Blockchain Technology and Ontology in Plastics Recycling by the Adoption of ZERO Plastic Model

Abstract

As the plastic industries aim at minimizing the environmental impact caused by mass production, growing consumption and relatively short utility span of materials and products related to plastics, they focus on circular economy (CE) principles as a feasible solution. To facilitate enhanced recycling rates and circularity of plastics, herein, we propose a model named ZERO, to implement the recycling of plastics through the emerging blockchain technology and ontology. We believe these proposed strategies will be key in building a circular economy for the plastic industries and sustainable development.