End-of-life options include:
- Thermal recycling: Energy recovery in waste-to-energy facilities
- Chemical recycling: Glycolysis or hydrolysis to recover polyol components (developing technology)
- Physical recycling: Grinding for use as filler in new polyurethane products
- Landfilling: Last option due to slow decomposition
The industry is developing improved recycling technologies, and some manufacturers offer take-back programs. PU’s long service life delays disposal concerns by decades.
