A diversity of chemicals are intentionally added to plastics to enhance their properties and aid in manufacture. Yet the accumulated chemical composition of these materials is essentially unknown even to those within the supply chain, let alone to consumers or recyclers. Recent legislated and voluntary commitments to increase recycled content in plastic products highlight the practical challenges wrought by these chemical mixtures, amid growing public concern about the impacts of plastic-associated chemicals on environmental and human health. In this Perspective, we offer guidance for plastics manufacturers to collaborate across sectors and critically assess their use of added chemicals. The ultimate goal is to use fewer and better additives to promote a circular plastics economy with minimal risk to humans and the environment.

有意将多种化学物质添加到塑料中，以增强其性能并帮助制造。然而，这些材料积累的化学成分基本上是未知的，即使是供应链中的人也不知道，更不用说消费者或回收商了。在公众日益关注塑料相关化学品对环境和人类健康的影响之际，最近增加塑料产品中回收成分的立法和自愿承诺凸显了这些化学混合物带来的实际挑战。在此观点中，我们为塑料制造商提供跨行业合作的指导，并严格评估他们对添加化学品的使用。最终目标是使用更少、更好的添加剂，以促进循环塑料经济，同时将对人类和环境的风险降至最低。