The overarching aim of Recycling Meet 2024 is to convene an interdisciplinary and international community of researchers to cultivate new collaborations and expedite advancements in recycling, upcycling, and redesign. Key topics to be covered include comprehending the scale of the plastic and waste issue from carbon, energy, economic, and pollution perspectives; leveraging innovative methods to recycle and upcycle contemporary plastics; and exploring alternative building blocks to create plastics designed for recyclability. Collaboration, discourse, and synergy among biologists, chemists, engineers, environmental scientists, material scientists, sustainability analysts, and other stakeholders are essential to develop novel solutions, inform evidence-based policies, and ultimately mitigate the influx of plastics into the natural environment and landfills worldwide, all in pursuit of a more sustainable future for our planet.

In addition, we will delve into the principles and practices of the circular economy, examining how they can be applied to transform waste into valuable resources. Discussions will center on strategies for extending product lifecycles, minimizing waste generation, and fostering closed-loop systems that promote resource efficiency. Through this lens, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of how circular economy principles can synergize with recycling efforts to create a more resilient and sustainable global economy.