Plastics need a complete redesign to make them easier to recycle, researchers argue

Researchers are calling for global action to address the complex mix of chemicals that go into plastics and for greater transparency on the chemicals that go into them. Identifying and managing chemicals in plastics is going to be key to tackling waste, they argue.

Discussions got underway in December on a global plastics treaty to address the full life cycle of plastics. Negotiators are also currently meeting to work out how to create a science policy panel to advise governments on chemical pollution and waste.

The challenge is the complexity and diversity of plastics, says Zhanyun Wang, whose previous research has helped identify more than 10,000 chemicals that may have been used in polymer production. ‘Maybe we should try to rethink why we are using different kinds of formulations for basically very similar applications – is there a need for the diversity?’ asks his co-author Antonia Praetorius, an environmental chemist at the University of Amsterdam.