I set out to get a PhD in polymer science and engineering in 2011 with the driving force that I wanted to show the world that plastics could be sustainable materials when produced responsibly and recycled. Back then, the terminology ‘circular economy’ was not the buzz word that it is today. Instead, my research focused on fundamental polymer physical chemistry, probing chain dynamics at interfaces. Important work but far removed from what many would consider ‘saving the world’. Although I was motivated by environmental challenges, there were few clear pathways to connect fundamental polymer science with sustainability, and even fewer funding opportunities to support such work.