The prticipants of this course took a deep dive into the chaotic and wondrous world of polymers. They developped an understanding of the production of polymers and composite structures and how to influence their many properties. A main aspect of the work was to look at plastics under the aspect of their sustainability. The participants learned how even a classical mass product like PVC might be produced from renewable resources. They isolated and modified cellulose from wood and tested a modern upcycling method of microfiber production called electrospinning. To demonstrate one of the many problems of plastic waste, the participants stained microplastic particles with a fluorescent marker and were able to detect particles in water that had been stored in plastic bottles past their expiration date.