How can you reduce plastic waste through recycling programs?

The most important prerequisite to mobilize post-consumer waste is to understand the source of the materials i.e. the communities that generate it, their socio-economic situation. This will determine the type of infrastructure and appropriate CEPA (Communication, Education and Public Awareness) measures. And not only to collect it for recycling. But ideally to even avoid some of the materials in the first place.

There is a poor understanding of recycling first of all. In fact there is a poor understanding of the waste itself. What can be recycled and what cannot, what is biodegradable and what is not. Segregation at source in most countries is still very poor. Then there are these forwards that talk about things like eco-bricks- one kind of plastic stuffed into a bottle. Both become non-recyclable. If the producer incentivises the consumer, like the producer extended responsibility, then a lot of plastic waste can be managed and there can also be resource saving. Single-use plastic, despite all the bans, etc are still in circulation throughout the world. Unless we own our waste and like our waste we are not going to be able to become responsible.

Even if one finds a way not to produce any plastic products and hence stop the generation of plastic waste, management of the plastic waste that currently exists on planet earth has to be dealt with. Only 10-15 percent of the waste generated is recycled. What about the remaining 85 percent that is still there in the world. It is impossible to stop the generation of plastic waste. Reducing, recycling, reforming, are some of the ways of dealing with the plastic waste.

Plastic waste recycling is wishful thinking and its just a waste of time and resources. If you really want to create a meaningful impact, tackle the problem at the source, not at the end.

It seems we are very concerned about recycling, reducing, LCAs, Circular economy, Decarbonization, Audits etc....rather than "Source Segregation" which is an effective tool & best practice in Waste Management. If there is no source segregation in the future we will then have a fate to remain with only 2 options Burn or Bury. Coming to plastics is there any alternative feasible & affordable solution is the question.

Aus meiner Sicht sollten die Ver?nderungen im Recycling VOR dem Einsatz der sp?ter zu recycelnden Produkte beginnen. Automatisierung und KI werden immer schneller und besser - Warum sollte nicht jedem Produzenten auferlegt werden, 1. auf einen bestimmten wiederverwendbaren Kunststoff aus einem Pool von 20 bis 30 Varianten zurückzugreifen (oder eine Abgabe zu zahlen) 2. dann seine Produkte so zu codieren, dass eine moderne "Abfallsortierung" diese entsprechend Punkt 1 separieren und der Wiederverwertung zuführen kann

As an integrated full service environmental service provider and recycler, we of course see the priority in mechanical recycling. However, other technologies such as chemical recycling need to play their role within the circular economy as well since mechanical recycling also faces its challenges when it comes to certain material streams. The most important part is that technologies will be treated complementary to each other. On top of that, we believe that the three pillars: reduce, reuse and recycle need to be set up so that they can work as a clockwork together.

If the plastic waste is segregated, it can go for mechanical recycling or solvolysis. Segregated PET waste can go for monomer recycling to make new bottles or fibres. Ironically, 90% of plastic waste is not segregated, hence it can be recycled only through advanced or chemical recycling via pyrolysis or gasification.

It is cheap to 'produce plastic from crude oil and dumping or burning plastic waste' compared to 'using end-of-life plastic waste and turning it into petrochemical naphtha to produce circular plastics'. Policies like carbon tax and plastic tax will create the necessary viability gap funding required for enabling, advanced or chemical recycling of plastic waste at large.

An EPR scheme can significantly improve plastic waste recycling efficiency by shifting the responsibility for managing end-of-life products back to the producers. Here is how it can help 1.Enhanced Collection and Recycling: Producers are responsible for collection and management of their products after their use. 2.Financial Incentives: Provides a financial motivation for effective recycling. 3.Reduced Environmental Impact: EPR can help minimize the environmental impact of plastic waste by promoting recycling and reducing the amount of plastic that goes to landfills. An EPR scheme can create a more sustainable, closed-loop system where producers take responsibility for waste management and efficient recycling systems.

No matter how many policies and practices we implement, the scale at which plastic is being produced and used, it is impossible to track implementation of those. I truly believe that the real solution lies within us - the consumers. Plastic is actually a wonder material that has served us for so many years. But, then, excess of anything is bad and the same goes with plastic. So, unless we change our approach towards using plastic, recycling can never take us to the finish line. Only a combination of efforts of consuming responsibly while recycling sincerely will get us there.

We have a long history in sorting and recycling technologies and are committed to extend our engagement in this industry and along the value chain. Operating one of the EPR schemes in Germany and being active in multiple associations or working groups on EU level we strive to create increasing awareness with regard to improved sortability and recyclability. Furthermore closing individual loops for a B2B context is one of our major pillars of activity. Cooperation is key and we value our partners along the value chain and listen to individual prerequisites to boost circular activities at scale.

Life-cycle analysis of the recycling programmes every year is a must. Every year, the packaging and FMCG companies should look at how their packaging can be made easy to recycle. Every year, polymer-producing companies should interact with more and more start-ups in the business of converting plastic into circular naphtha for the production of circular plastics.

Undergoing a neutral assessment on own processes and activities is a crucial pillar in current fastly evolving times like today. Hence we regularly control our operations in all business units on a regular basis. If we detect potential improvements we run an internal assessment on how to improve productivity, technology etc. and we adapt. Being agile in this industry will be one of the more important characteristics in the coming years with PPWR and other regulations gaining momentum.

The plastic recycling problem is a cross-value chain collaboration problem. Any innovation that encourages collaboration between plastic waste, segregates, recyclers, and FMCG companies will accelerate plastic circularity.

The world is facing significant challenges in Plastic waste management. Recycling offers a crucial solution and helps to enable a circular economy. Recycling helps divert plastic waste from landfills and reduces the demand for virgin plastic, contributing to resource conservation and economic benefits.?By investing in innovative recycling technology and research & development, we can easily deal with challenging plastic waste like mixed plastics and multilayer packaging and also explore innovative technologies like chemical recycling that can break down plastics into building blocks for reuse in new products.

Continuous improvement is within our DNA, our laboratory for instance or our think tanks regularly work on new development of products or solutions. Overall, we are committed to question ourselves regularly and to define a future proof strategy for the individual business units in the group because is process is necessary to have long-lasting systems and success.

Celebration and communication of milestones is an important part of a businesses culture, however one should not stop here. It will be important to work on the next chapter. Moving forward is necessary to continuously grow as a company but sharing our successes with the value chain is necessary to show our commitment to shaping circularity.

Reduce plastic waste through recycling programs by: Establishing clear guidelines and labeling. Providing convenient recycling infrastructure. Educating and engaging the community at all levels. Particularly small shops and mandies. Investing in recycling technology. Supporting recycling markets. Promoting source reduction and reuse. Collaborating with stakeholders. Strong monitoring and evaluating program effectiveness.

I think every recycling program should start with a genuine effort of making real changes in our mindset - an absolute requirement for changing consumer behaviour. As individuals cultivate a more eco-conscious perspective, they will become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their choices. A positive mindset will instill a sense of responsibility, empowering individuals to contribute proactively to a sustainable future. This shift will go beyond mere adherence to recycling guidelines, involving the adoption of a lifestyle that minimizes plastic consumption and maximizes recycling efforts. People will come to view recycling not just as an obligation but as a proactive step toward environmental stewardship.

A Recycling company has to be in proximity to the City of consideration. This will bridge the gap of distance impeding the effort of transporting every collected samples. Incentives has to be attached to the effort either by individuals or government. Incentives will wake the consciousness of people to control and gather all plastics because there's a little benefit.