Plastic pollution has reached alarming levels globally, with significant amounts of improperly disposed plastic waste contaminating ecosystems. Microplastics, in particular, pose persistent ecological challenges due to their small size and complex compositions. Various methods for plastic upcycling and microplastic manipulation have been explored, including photocatalytic and electrocatalytic processes that involve hydrogen generation. However, these techniques often come with environmental hazards and limitations in the types of plastics they can effectively treat. To address these challenges, researchers have turned to single-atom catalysts (SACs) for plastic upcycling. A recent study introduced a novel tandem catalytic process that combines microplastic degradation with hydrogen evolution using a hierarchical carbon nitride-supported single-atom iron catalyst (FeSA-hCN). The FeSA-hCN catalyst demonstrated exceptional efficiency in degrading ultrahigh molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) under neutral pH conditions, with high catalytic stability over multiple cycles. The process also achieved a high carboxylic acid product selectivity, paving the way for solar-driven hydrogen production. This innovative approach represents a significant advancement in the realm of plastic upcycling, offering a sustainable solution for managing plastic waste and generating clean fuel.