Nature, Published online: 03 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10606-4

An analysis of post-sorting plastic packaging shows that target polymer purity is similar across source-separation and post-sorting pathways, but post-sorted plastics contain more contaminants that need to be removed before recyclate production.

Nature, Published online: 03 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01759-3

Recovering plastic packaging from mixed domestic waste, as well as collecting plastic waste already sorted by households, increases recycling volumes but raises contamination and safety risks. Policies that support the sorting of plastics from mixed waste at central facilities should have strict quality standards and investment in advanced purification systems to ensure safe recycling outcomes.