Page 39 - Plastics News February 2026
P. 39
FEATURE NEWS
Plastic pollution is growing at concerning rate. designed well, they can capture up to 90% of
beverage containers. More than 50 systems are
"According to the latest Pew Charitable Trust already operating worldwide, with countries like
report, plastic pollution is on track to more Australia, Germany, Norway, and Canada leading
than double in the next 15 years unless action the way and many more joining, highlighting a
is taken. Against this backdrop — and with the strong global shift toward circular economy prin-
EU's PPWR requiring 90% collection of single- ciples for packaging."
use bottles and cans by 2029 — deposit return
systems are rapidly going mainstream. When Source - https://www.plasticstoday.com
A TURNING POINT FOR FLEXIBLE
PLASTICS RECYCLING
tal plastic packaging market.
But what happens after we’re
done with flexible plastic is a
wasted opportunity—tossed
in the trash, destined for land-
fills or incineration. These
materials present one of the
toughest challenges for recy-
cling and circularity. The highly
varied, multimaterial composi-
tion and lightweight nature of
flexible plastic make it difficult
and costly to recycle. Even
lexible plastic recycling is no longer just a when it is recycled, the result-
technical challenge. It has become a busi- ing material struggles to compete on cost with
Fness imperative for brands, retailers and cheaper virgin resin.
their suppliers.
We are now at a crossroads where the conveni-
Plastic film, wraps, pouches and labels are eve- ence of flexible plastic is colliding with the rising
rywhere. Whether used to keep food fresh, cost of its environmental impact. The regulato-
medicines safe or goods protected during ship- ry landscape is shifting fast. States are debat-
ping, flexible plastic packaging has become an ing whether to exclude flexible films and pack-
indispensable part of life, quietly supporting the aging from curbside recycling under extended
modern conveniences we rely on every day. It producer responsibility (EPR) laws, which would
now comprises more than 50 percent of the to- increase costs for producers.
February 2026 PLASTICS NEWS 39
