Rinke Altink

1 Introduction With only 10% of all plastic waste ever produced being recycled, leading to environmental problems, including the formation of micro- and nanoplastics, the recycling rates should be improved [1]. In addition, we want to gradually move away from the current fossil based economy and move toward a more circular economy and keep the carbon in the loop, as recently outlined for designing the so-called refinery of the future [2].

Johan H. van de Minkelis Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands Search for more papers by this author

Introduction Plastic-based products have become an integral part of our daily lives, but unfortunately the extensive use of plastics has resulted in an enormous amount of plastic waste, even leading to the formation of micro- and nanoplastics, which may end up in the environment and our food chain. It is estimated that only 2 % of the produced plastics is recycled globally, while 32 % leaks into the environment with all its negative consequences.