Eco-Friendly Materials for a Zero E-Waste Society: Challenges and Opportunities in Engineering Plastics

Abstract

This review addresses the environmental challenges arising from the proliferation of plastic and electronic waste (E-waste), driven by global economic and demographic expansion. Since the 1950s, the mass production of plastics has seriously threatened global sustainability, lacking effective post-use management. E-waste worsens the issue due to low recyclability and high toxicity. Resolving this requires improving biodegradability. The paper explores eco-friendly biodegradable materials for a zero-e-waste society, focusing on multifunctional plastics in electronics, providing a comprehensive guide to material selection, and illustrating novel concepts through recent trials. The goal is fully biodegradable electronics, but transitioning from conventional material systems is complex. Notably, rendering engineering plastics in electronics biodegradable surpasses simply substituting conventional plastics. Thus, it is delved into various research initiatives focused on biodegradable materials for electronics, highlighting a systematic approach toward creating a fully integrated, biodegradable electronic system. This includes exploring the mechanisms of biodegradation and the integration of printed circuit boards (PCBs), a critical component in electronics. Achieving this represents a challenging but promising step toward a sustainable electronic future.