Due to their unique set of properties, plastics are found in virtually every industry and are an integral part of our daily lives. However, for many years now, there has been concern about the consequences of excessive use of short-lived products and the improper disposal of plastic waste. This has led to a distorted public perception of plastics as a material. This book addresses the debate surrounding the use of plastics from a scientific perspective and highlights the political and economic conditions that companies involved in plastic production, processing, and recycling face. Another key focus of this book is the technologies that make it possible to produce high-quality recycled materials and the research approaches currently in place.