Environmentally friendly chemical recycling of poly(bisphenol-A carbonate) through phase transfer-catalysed alkaline hydrolysis under microwave irradiation

► A promising and environmentally friendly chemical recycling route of polycarbonate. ► Implementation of a phase transfer catalyst facilitates the alkaline hydrolysis. ► Microwave irradiation is used to achieve relatively mild experimental conditions. ► Surface erosion seems to be the dominant degradation mechanism. ► The method also seems promising for the treatment of wastes based on PC (e.g., CDs).