Science to Enable Sustainable Plastics

Plastics are crucial for sustainable development, but their production contributes to industrial CO2 emissions and they have become associated with pollution and disposable culture, necessitating a reevaluation of their life cycles, designs, and uses. 

Technical advancements are required to create plastics with better end-of-life options, with chemistry playing a vital role in achieving this, but it is not the sole solution. Simultaneous progress in waste management, regulation, economics, and behavior is necessary to establish the infrastructure and ecosystems for a sustainable plastics future. The authors highlight the importance of impartial evidence from chemistry experts in policymaking, standardization of plastics, and environmental monitoring and detection to support the transition towards sustainable plastics.