Versatile and made to last, plastics are today found in everything from cars to medical devices to food packaging and much more – including the environment. Public outrage at plastic pollution is mounting, as are concerns about resource scarcity, which have served to increase awareness about the need for better solutions. Preventing the leakage of end-of life plastics into natural systems and ensuring these plastics are collected, preferably to be reused or recycled, has become a priority topic within the ongoing transition to a more circular economic approach. Effective recycling will require designers and producers to radically rethink product and packaging designs if we are to successfully close the plastics loop.