Aug 2: Chemical recycling is emerging as a promising technology to tackle hard to recycle plastics but experts say its future depends on stronger policy support, clear regulations and improved economic viability.
An opinion published in Chemistry World noted that despite improvements in overall recycling rates, more than 70 per cent of plastic waste in Europe and nearly 90 per cent in the United States is still either incinerated or sent to landfill.
Chemical recycling, also known as advanced recycling, breaks down plastic waste into raw materials that can be used to manufacture new plastics. Technologies such as pyrolysis and depolymerisation offer potential solutions for recycling mixed plastics and soft packaging that cannot be processed through conventional mechanical recycling.
However, chemically recycled plastics accounted for less than one per cent of Europe’s recycled plastic production in 2024. Several pilot scale recycling plants in Europe and the United States are struggling financially, with some shutting down due to poor economic returns, while others have faced regulatory action over pollution and hazardous waste management.
Environmental groups argue that chemical recycling should not replace efforts to reduce overall plastic production and improve product design. They contend that producers should prioritise recyclable packaging and minimise the use of mixed materials that complicate recycling.
The report notes that upcoming European regulations aim to encourage recycling and promote packaging designs that are easier to recycle. However, uncertainty over policy implementation has slowed investment with companies hesitant to commit to large scale recycling infrastructure without a stable regulatory framework and long term market demand.
Experts say the future role of chemical recycling will depend on whether governments can provide policy certainty encourage investment and integrate the technology into broader strategies for achieving a circular economy and reducing plastic pollution.