The plastic pollution crisis is deeply intertwined with the energy crisis, with projections indicating that by 2050, approximately 20% of fossil fuel consumption will be devoted to plastic production, contributing nearly 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions—double that of the aviation sector. To address these challenges, comprehensive systemic transformations are essential to decarbonize the U.S. plastic industry. This involves integrating bio- and waste-based supply chains and creating a circular economy loop for plastics through innovative recycling techniques. Leading these efforts is the Bio-Optimized Technologies to Keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (BOTTLE™) Consortium, a multi-organization initiative spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The consortium is dedicated to developing new chemical upcycling strategies for existing plastics while designing future plastics with inherent recyclability. This presentation will highlight flagship technologies from the BOTTLE Consortium, including low-energy plastic deconstruction methods, novel upcycling approaches for waste intermediates, and the creation of recyclable-by-design (RBD) polymers poised to transform the plastic industry. Topics will also cover integrated economic and life cycle modeling efforts and proposed methods to account for the impact of microplastics in the plastic carbon life cycle.