A collaboration led by researchers from Peking University and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics introduced a pioneering solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique to characterize heterogeneous plastic waste mixtures. The method guides orthogonal catalytic transformations, selectively converting different polymer types within complex plastic blends into valuable chemicals and fuels. This approach marks a significant leap in addressing the global plastic pollution crisis by enhancing recycling efficiency of real-world mixed plastic streams without prior separation.