Challenges in plastics recycling

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Of the more than sixteen million tons of plastic packaging produced in 2021, only 6.3 million tons were recycled. Recycling thus remains a serious problem. Insufficient recycling increases the amount of waste in landfills, incinerators and nature. At the same time, it also contributes to the formation of microplastics, which threaten entire ecosystems and human health.

To improve the understanding of how external factors affect the recycling of plastic packaging KTU researchers conducted a macro-environmental analysis that examined six key areas.

Outdated waste management regulations

For example the EU's plastic packaging waste system was for a long time governed by the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive adopted 30 years ago, which left it up to countries to decide how to meet the targets. As a result these targets have been difficult to meet especially due to different implementations depending on the individual countries. Last year a regulation was adopted that will soon enter into force and will apply equally to all countries. Thanks to this a clearer and more efficient recycling of plastic packaging will be ensured.

Lower quality recycled plastics

The study highlights that current recycling technologies cannot produce high-quality recycled plastics in a cost-effective manner. As a result recycled plastics are sold at prices two to three times lower than those of virgin plastics on global markets. The problem is also the excessive supply from China and other Asian countries and North America, which reduces the competitiveness of recycled plastics.

Public attitudes to recycling vary

Even though primary sorting where household waste is immediately sorted by type is more efficient than secondary sorting where mixed waste is sorted only at post-sorting centres motivating people to do so remains a challenge. A common myth is that sorted waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated which undermines the public's motivation to recycle.

Recycling composite packaging is challenging

The KTU specialist says that current solutions are often inefficient technologically economically and ecologically which is why more and more attention is being paid to eco-design. "We focus not only on whether the packaging can be recycled but also on its original design which ensures that it can be easily recycled or reused." The use of combined packaging should be limited to cases where it is necessary such as pharmaceuticals while in other areas where it is often chosen for aesthetic reasons it should be discouraged.

Leakage of plastic waste into nature

Microplastics in the environment are the result of improperly loaded plastic waste therefore it is necessary to ensure that during the entire cycle of plastic packaging there is no uncontrolled release of waste into the natural environment. Although reducing plastic waste remains a primary goal recycling is essential to managing plastics that are already in circulation. The EU's goal of recycling 50 percent of plastics by 2025 has not been met. Now the goal is to recycle 55 percent by 2030.

Source:ScienceDaily