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

Newly Minted Carolina Alumni Celebrate at Commencement
Country musician and North Carolina native Eric Church delivered the commencement address with his six-string in hand, complemented by a guitar strap featuring an interlocking...
Thu May 21, 2026

UNC’s App Redesign Drives Student Engagement
What was once an underused mobile app at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been rebuilt to serve as a central hub...
Wed May 20, 2026

What's the difference between each UNC merch shop on Franklin Street?
Franklin Street is lined with restaurants, coffee shops and to a large extent, apparel stores. But as a student and longtime University of North...
Sun May 17, 2026

Eric Church delivers 'greatest commencement speech ever' in viral address to UNC graduates
Country music star Eric Church earned praise for delivering the "greatest" commencement speech with his now-viral address to UNC graduates, after working on the piece...
Sat May 16, 2026