Plastics recycling is a critical strategy for reducing environmental impacts and managing waste. Plastics, though lightweight and durable, are widely used in disposable packaging and other short-lived products, leading to significant environmental challenges. Over 4% of global oil and gas production is used for plastics, with additional 3–4% for manufacturing energy. Much of the plastic produced is used for single-use items, which are discarded within a year, contributing to waste accumulation in landfills and natural environments. Recycling is essential to reduce oil use, carbon emissions, and waste, and is a key part of the plastics industry. It can be categorized into mechanical recycling, feedstock recycling, energy recovery, and landfill. Mechanical recycling is the most common, involving the reprocessing of plastics into new products. Feedstock recycling involves chemical processes to recover polymer components, while energy recovery involves burning plastics for fuel. Recycling is also part of industrial ecology, aiming to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. Recycling systems vary by region and plastic type, with significant progress in packaging recycling. However, challenges remain in sorting and processing mixed plastics, which often contain multiple polymer types. Advances in sorting technologies, such as optical and laser sorting, improve the efficiency of recycling. Current trends show increasing recycling rates, driven by public awareness, policy initiatives, and economic incentives. The environmental benefits of recycling are substantial, with studies showing significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. Despite these benefits, challenges such as contamination, low collection rates, and economic viability of recycling persist. Effective recycling requires improved collection systems, better sorting technologies, and policies that encourage the use of recycled materials. Overall, recycling is a vital strategy for sustainable plastic management, reducing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency.Plastics recycling is a critical strategy for reducing environmental impacts and managing waste. Plastics, though lightweight and durable, are widely used in disposable packaging and other short-lived products, leading to significant environmental challenges. Over 4% of global oil and gas production is used for plastics, with additional 3–4% for manufacturing energy. Much of the plastic produced is used for single-use items, which are discarded within a year, contributing to waste accumulation in landfills and natural environments. Recycling is essential to reduce oil use, carbon emissions, and waste, and is a key part of the plastics industry. It can be categorized into mechanical recycling, feedstock recycling, energy recovery, and landfill. Mechanical recycling is the most common, involving the reprocessing of plastics into new products. Feedstock recycling involves chemical processes to recover polymer components, while energy recovery involves burning plastics for fuel. Recycling is also part of industrial ecology, aiming to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. Recycling systems vary by region and plastic type, with significant progress in packaging recycling. However, challenges remain in sorting and processing mixed plastics, which often contain multiple polymer types. Advances in sorting technologies, such as optical and laser sorting, improve the efficiency of recycling. Current trends show increasing recycling rates, driven by public awareness, policy initiatives, and economic incentives. The environmental benefits of recycling are substantial, with studies showing significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. Despite these benefits, challenges such as contamination, low collection rates, and economic viability of recycling persist. Effective recycling requires improved collection systems, better sorting technologies, and policies that encourage the use of recycled materials. Overall, recycling is a vital strategy for sustainable plastic management, reducing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency.