In the context of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, low⁃carbon utilization is the main development trend of the waste plastic processing industry. Pyrolysis can convert hydrocarbons in waste plastics into high⁃value⁃added carbon⁃containing products, avoid greenhouse gas emissions caused by waste incineration and landfill, and realize high⁃value utilization, helping to build a green and low⁃carbon recycling industrial system. Based on advanced pyrolysis technologies, this paper reviews the progress of research on the life cycle carbon footprint of waste plastics. Firstly, this paper introduces the characteristics of waste plastic raw materials and pyrolysis products from the perspective of carbon transfer and transformation, and then summarizes the current domestic and international pyrolysis carbon sequestration ideas for the preparation of solid carbon products from waste plastics from the perspective of carbon life cycle. By introducing the methodology and steps of the life cycle carbon footprint of the waste plastic pyrolysis system, expounding on the carbon footprint assessment index and connotation. The research status of the life cycle carbon footprint of the waste plastic pyrolysis system is summarized and reviewed from the perspective of carbon sequestration by different waste plastic pyrolysis technologies, focusing on the difficulty in comparing the carbon footprint results of different studies due to inconsistent system boundaries and data sources, and emphasizing that the current life cycle carbon footprint research of the waste plastic pyrolysis system needs to build a multi⁃scale model, deeply explore the interrelationship between different scale data, increase data transparency, and clearly describe the calculation results of different scales, so that the research results can be compared and have extensive reference value. Finally, we put forward the development prospects of the life cycle of waste plastics, in order to provide a theoretical reference for the future development of the waste plastic pyrolysis industry. © 2024 Cailiao Daobaoshe/ Materials Review. All rights reserved.
