Seriously, solving the plastic problem is not a simple thing. It requires complicated coordination of effort. With all the plastic already on earth in the environment and landfills combined with the amount of new plastic manufactured every year in greater and greater amount, it will take a complex multi-faceted approach of individual actions, government policies, corporate innovation, and improved waste management systems to make a dent in the problems we face. Current mechanical recycling programs cannot address even 10% of the plastic manufactured every year.
“Have We Finally Solved The Plastic Problem?”
Undecided with Matt Ferrell’s YouTube episode of November 11, 2025 investigates the situation:
“Have We Finally Solved The Plastic Problem? What if every piece of plastic waste, like bottles, bags, even clothes, could be rebuilt from scratch, no sorting required? Not just melted and reshaped, but broken down to pure chemical building blocks and made new again. That’s what a new wave of recycling tech promises. Northwestern University has built a catalyst that can zero in on a single type of plastic in mixed waste and break it down. No sorting, no problem. In South Korea, a 2,000°C hydrogen plasma torch is cracking mixed plastics in milliseconds, turning them into valuable building blocks for brand-new plastics. And in France, an enzymatic recycling plant is transforming previously unrecyclable polyester textiles back into virgin-quality plastic feedstock. We’ve been sold the recycling dream for decades, but the reality? Most plastic still ends up in landfills or the ocean. Could these breakthroughs finally turn recycling from marketing lie into working reality? “
Ultimately, the plastics plastics solution goal is to transition from the existing linear single use plastic “utilize and dispose” model to a circular economy. Plastics then are reduced, reused and recycled or effectively upcycled to create products of higher quality or value than the original. Over the last couple of years advanced or chemical recycling has gained a lot of traction within the scientific community but also in greenwashing marketing promises of petrochemical companies. IngeniousVortex blog articles wrote about this situation back on 09.03 & 09.04…
“Greenwashing or is it Defamation?” https://srplus.wordpress.com/2025/09/03/greenwashing-or-is-it-defamation/ “Fight It Out OR Start Working Together?” https://srplus.wordpress.com/2025/09/04/fight-it-out-or-start-working-together/

As it stands now this is a battle in the courts that has yet to be decided. Nobody wins in that scenario.
California filed a greenwashing deceptive advertising lawsuit against ExxonMobil September 23, 2024. The California Attorney General alleged that ExxonMobil engaged in a decades-long campaign of deception about the recyclability of its plastic products, thereby exacerbating the global plastic pollution crisis. The ExxonMobil claims, ESPECIALLY the ones touting the wonders of Chemical Recycling that promise the end of the plastic pollution and proliferation problems (as presented in that YouTube presentation “Have We Finally Solved The Plastic Problem?”) show great Promise. However, scaling is necessary and a very small number of Chemical Recycling facilities needed do not yet exist. In theory if Chemical Recycling replaces Mechanical Recycling as is done now, a great hurdle will have been reached. However, the idea that we are well on our way to solving the problems is still a myth.
ExxonMobil has countersued and answered California with a defamation lawsuit that is unique as a strategy to prevent other states from suing them for their exaggerated claims. Their corporate advertising has switched a little to show more of what they are beginning to achieve in Texas where the defamation case is filed than in California. The promise of chemical recycling is there. But, it is going to be up to the courts to decide who is right and will prevail in this war of words. ExxonMobil is one of the world’s biggest virgin plastics suppliers. And, they are manufacturing and selling quantities of plastic never before dreamed of. I am doubtful that ExxonMobil will cut its production sufficiently and invest the billions needed to build out sufficient plants to end mechanical recycling in California or the U.S. The promise and hope of Chemical Recycling solving the plastics problem entirely or even substantially is a long long way into the future.
It is interesting to see what is going on in Europe in this area. Please listen to this PodCast to get some insight. Sounds like there is a more environmentally coordinated approach between government and businesses with support for realistic regulations and progress toward set goals and objectives.
“How can European chemical recycling scale up in 2025?”
“Valentijn De Neve, CEO of BlueAlp, a company specializing in pyrolysis and chemical recycling technology, joins the podcast with S&P Global Commodity Insights editors Daniel Pelosi and Dias Kazym for a discussion on the European chemical recycling landscape in 2025. Topics include technology advancements, advanced recycling competitiveness against virgin polymers and what is needed among stakeholders to drive the chemical recycling market forward.”
There is no magic or instantaneous solution.
Educate yourselves. Wake up.
Speak up. Be heard.

Choose to make a difference. Be the difference.
Move Beyond Plastics!
© 11.12.2025 stevendphilbrick sr+ for Sustainable Resources https://OurBlueOrb.Org
