Infinitely Recyclable Plastic on the Horizon with Next-Gen Polymers Apr 30, 2021 We humans are addicted to an almost indestructible substance that is all around us. Globally, humans create 380 million tons of plastic annually. Despite the recycling symbol on the bottom of any such package, the vast majority of plastics end up in landfills, waste incineration plants or our oceans. Numerous problems have long plagued what manufactures call recyclable plastic - but there is hope on the horizon. A team at Lawrence Berkeley National Labs created a new plastic called poly(diketoenamine), or PDK, that is truly recyclable. After first issuing a report on it two years ago, this month Berkeley Lab released a study that concludes PDK-based plastic could be an economically viable alternative for companies.