Plastic pollution is a global threat on our lands and seas. Since World War II, we have created over 9 billion cubic tons of it, yet its recycling remains extremely limited. As part of our "Breakthroughs" series, Miles O'Brien looks at new ideas and innovations, such as chemical recycling and urban mining, that may enable better recycling in the future.

Recently a team of researchers led by the biochemistry professor John Ralph PhD’82, based in the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), in Wisconsin has been awarded a patent for a method to synthesize paracetamol— also known as acetaminophen — from a molecule found on the lignin from poplar trees. This new method offers a renewable alternative to the present manufacturing process that uses chemicals from coal tar.

Over the past few years, a group of scholars, engineers, and economists have puzzled together a powerful thesis that explains why America and the world are decarbonizing—and how they can get better at it. UW–Madison's Greg Nemet adds his perspective to the topic.