Worldwide plastic production has surged over the past 50 years. In 2016, it reached 335 million tonnes per annum, with Europe alone producing 60 million tonnes. Over the next 20 years, it is expected to double. Plastic packaging is the most important product (26% of the total volume of all plastics used), although it has a short life compared to plastics used in, for example, the construction and car industries. Plastic producers and transformers are keen to highlight the benefits derived from plastic packaging; not only does it deliver direct economic profits, but it also helps prevent food waste and contamination. Further, by lessening the weight of packaging, it can reduce the fuel used in the transport of goods. This is certainly important, but even if these plastics are re-used, they inevitably become waste at some point. If we are to close the loop of the circular economy, this waste needs to be seen as a resource to be plugged back into the life cycle of plastics (PlasticsEurope, 2018). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]