RECOMPENSE stands for REcyclable Catalysts frOM PolystyrENe waStE. The RECOMPENSE project is co-created with chemistry students at UCL and is funded by an RSC Sustainable Laboratories Grant.
The RECOMPENSE project addresses the challenge of recycling polystyrene (PS) waste generated in laboratories, which contributes significantly to global plastic pollution. With only 1% of PS being recycled, the project aims to develop accessible and affordable protocols to upcycle PS into polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSA) resins for reuse as catalysts in organic synthesis.
Key actions of the RECOMPENSE project include:
- Optimising sulfonation processes to obtain PSSA from waste PS
- Testing PSSA’s catalytic efficiency in Organic Synthesis
- Creating a database of applications of PSSA in the literature.
- Sharing findings through this Open Science platform and our YouTube channel
The project promotes sustainability by engaging the Chemistry education and research communities and encouraging further applications of PSSA resins, reducing PS waste and advancing sustainable chemistry practices.
We are always interested in hearing from anyone interested in collaborating or contributing to the project. If you have some feedback or an idea you want to share, please contact us.
RECOMPENSE Project 