In both mainstream news and trade journal news, single use plastics reduction and improving recycling are constantly making headlines. Most recently, the global plastics treaty talks in Paris have brought the issue of global complexity to the forefront. While it is evident that excessive plastics waste and increased use of petrochemicals to create this eventual waste needs to be addressed in many ways, there is no easy plan to be agreed upon and then carried out globally. As a consequence, in this blog, we will elaborate on the problems and solutions of plastic recycling.
What causes global recycling complexity?
The global recycling problems stem from the diverse and often conflicting needs and resources of different regions. During a recent treaty, the discussion around limiting the production of virgin plastic resins led to a breakdown in negotiations. Such a cap could slow economic growth and disrupt businesses.
For instance, in Asia, sachets—small, mostly non-recyclable multilayer packages—are widely used due to limited financial resources and storage space. While banning these sachets might seem like a straightforward solution, it’s impractical given the economic and logistical realities. Some companies are working on ways to recycle these materials, but it remains a challenging process.
In contrast, the U.S. faces different issues, such as the widespread use of single-use shopping bags and beverage bottles. These items are popular because they cater to a culture that values convenience and offers production efficiencies. However, what works in one region might be ineffective or even counterproductive in another.
Blanket bans or uniform recycling policies overlook important complexities. Even within a single country, banning certain plastics or changing consumer and manufacturing behavior can be contentious. Global differences in economic conditions, consumer habits, and industrial practices make universal solutions for plastic waste and recycling difficult to implement.
Effective recycling methods
Addressing the challenges of plastic recycling requires a shift in values that can be implemented through incremental improvements across the entire supply chain. One of the most impactful strategies is the adoption of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a policy tool that makes producers legally and financially accountable for the environmental impacts of their products and packaging.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
EPR shifts the burden of waste management from governments and consumers to the producers themselves, encouraging companies to design products that are easier to recycle and less harmful to the environment. While some EPR programs are already in place, they face significant resistance from powerful consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies. These companies argue that EPR policies can stifle innovation and discourage new competitors from entering the market.
However, the debate isn't straightforward. For example, is it fair to blame companies like Coca-Cola for meeting consumer demand for single-serve beverages, even if these products contribute to plastic waste? Moreover, it's important to consider that recycling infrastructure is not uniformly available or effective across all regions. Studies by ABC News and non-profit organizations like The Last Beach Cleanup have shown that even well-intentioned recycling programs, such as those for shopping bags, often fail. Instead of being recycled, many of these bags end up in landfills, incinerators, or are exported to countries where they are not recycled at all. In response, some advocate for outright bans on certain products, such as plastic bags and Keurig K-Cups, but this approach is controversial and not always practical.
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Incremental improvements through innovation
Despite challenges in plastic recycling, innovation and entrepreneurship are driving progress. New methods now recycle PVC pipes, while small-scale processing sites are tackling multi-layer sachets and pouches, which were previously hard to recycle.
Another promising development is chemical recycling, which is being scaled up to handle large quantities of post-consumer plastic. This process breaks down plastics into their original chemical components, allowing them to be reconstituted into high-quality resin. This resin is often of a higher grade than conventional post-consumer recycled material, making it more versatile for manufacturing new products.
Plastic recycling problems across different industries
Different industries face unique challenges when it comes to plastic recycling, contributing to the broader plastic recycling problem.
Challenges in the Consumer Goods Sector
In the CPG industry, the balance between sustainability trends and functionality is delicate. Companies are focused on reducing unnecessary packaging while ensuring that their products remain attractive, functional, and secure. For example, packaging must protect the product, allow for easy dispensing and resealing, and withstand repeated use. These requirements often lead to the continued use of plastics, albeit in smaller quantities or with a higher percentage of recycled content. The challenge of designing packaging that meets all requirements while being fully recyclable adds to the plastic recycling problem.
Increasing plastic use in healthcare
In contrast, the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries are seeing an increase in plastic usage. The rise of advanced medical devices and home healthcare products, such as injection pens and syringes, has led to better patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. These innovations allow patients to manage their health at home, avoiding frequent visits to doctors' offices. However, this convenience comes with an environmental cost, as more plastic medical waste ends up in landfills. Despite this, the trend towards self-care at home is expected to grow, meaning the industry will continue to contribute to the plastic recycling problem.
How to encourage plastic recycling?
The plastic recycling problem persists due to several factors, including the limited availability of recycling facilities and the challenges associated with recycling certain types of plastics. For example, polystyrene, commonly used in food packaging and protective materials, is cheap and lightweight but difficult to recycle effectively. Explore the various plastics used in food packaging.
Improving recycling rates and efficiency
One way to address this issue is by improving the sorting process at recycling collection sites. Better sorting can reduce the creation of mixed-material bales, which are less valuable and harder to recycle. By increasing the amount of single-type plastic bales, which can be reprocessed into higher-value materials, the overall recycling rate and efficiency can be significantly improved. This would also help in reducing the reliance on virgin plastic resins, thereby addressing a key aspect of the plastic recycling problem.
Additionally, reducing virgin plastic use and enhancing the quality of post-consumer recycled materials are essential steps in this process. Given the complexity of these challenges, a nuanced and adaptable approach is necessary to protect our priceless and irreplaceable natural resources.
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