UNC Researcher Seeks to Reduce Plastic Waste Through Molecular Changes

Posted Sep 21, 2023
Frank Leibfarth, a University of North Carolina chemistry professor, says one of his lab’s goals is to make the plastics economy more sustainable. His research studies the materials that make up plastics, specifically polyethylene and polypropylene. Those are byproducts of refining crude oil and can be found in everything from packaging to bottles to toys. (Chapelboro.com)

Related: Campus Connections

Here are 5 things I love about Carolina
Rameses at Home - One of my favorite experiences in the community is when I drive past the Hogan family farm and I catch a...
Sat Mar 28, 2026

Famous sports broadcaster, UNC alum Jim Lampley retires to Chapel Hill after an unusual career
Muhammad Ali once babysat Jim Lampley’s daughter during a boxing awards dinner in 1991. That may tell you a lot of what you need to...
Thu Mar 26, 2026

From UNC Student Reporter to Olympics Writer
An interview with a UNC student-reporter must have felt like looking in a mirror. Sean Cavanaugh ’17, a reporter for the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS)...
Tue Mar 24, 2026

AI research at Carolina
From computer science to journalism, health sciences to social work, researchers are applying AI to the world’s problems. Carolina already boasts a deep knowledge of...
Sun Mar 22, 2026