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.

塑料中有意添加了多种化学品，以增强其性能并有助于制造。然而，即使对于供应链内的人员来说，这些材料累积的化学成分基本上也是未知的，更不用说消费者或回收商了。随着公众越来越关注塑料相关化学品对环境和人类健康的影响，最近关于增加塑料产品中回收含量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。在本视角中，我们为塑料制造商提供跨部门合作的指导，并严格评估其添加化学品的使用情况。最终目标是使用更少、更好的添加剂来促进循环塑料经济，同时将对人类和环境的风险降至最低。