Rabobank; Unwrapped: Plastic Packaging Matters reportIncreasing the amount of waste that is recycled will require a number of changes, including improving collection infrastructure and promoting separate collection streams; designing for recycling, i.e. making sure packaging is easy to recycle following guidelines including but not limited to use of light colours and increasing monomaterial packaging; and designing for correct collection – amongst others through the harmonisation of labels between packaging and waste containers.
And viable options for end-of-life plastic packaging must be provided once it reaches consumers’ recycling bins.
In the US, the low rate of plastic recycling rates has been attributed to such factors as consumer behaviour, population growth in areas where recycling is not offered and low landfill disposal rates. And in Europe, the report writes, while mechanical recycling is an established industry, the high prices of recyclates when compared to their virgin counterparts has led to low recycled material content in packaging. Increasing the recycling rates and availability of recyclates is likely to help make recyclates more affordable for packaging producers.
The report takes a brief look at the potential of chemical recycling as a solution for hard-to-recycle plastics packaging. It notes that: “Unbiased life cycle assessments should be carried out to determine the best alternative for the treatment of plastic packaging waste, taking into account end-of-life treatment and the degradation of plastic caused by different treatments, as well as their impact on circularity.”
Higher and more affordable availability of recyclates alongside regulatory changes are likely to increase the use of recycled content in packaging.