If we could split an atom into protons, neutrons and electrons and put them together in another way with the protons, neutrons and electrons from other atoms, we could make everything!
Perhaps it could solve the population problem? It would require huge amounts of energy, but we could just make the pollution itself and trash into food.
Ofc, if it doesn't require so much energy that it makes more pollution to turn the pollution into food or new energy.
But wait... If we could turn them into positrons and antimatter, we could make even more energy. Wonder if it's possible. Then I guess we need to do the same trick with quarks...?
Anyways, in the future we might be using fusion power plants, that might give us enough clean power for that.