Page 40 - Plastics News March 2025

FEATURE NEWS

suitable for recycling. The lack of suitable col- struggle when developing sustainable packages
lection centers and sorting stations means valu-
able recyclable plastics get buried in landfills and
oceans.
2. Economic Viability of Recycled Plastics

Current recycled plastic costs are higher than
virgin plastic prices which makes the use of re-
cycled materials unaffordable for business op-
erations. Recycling technology advancement
needs large capital investments while oil market
changes influence the market position of recy-
cled materials.
3. Quality and Performance Issues

which adhere to international product standards.
Quality degradation occurs during successive
recycling cycles of plastics which prevents their 6. The Complexity of Multi-layered and Mixed
use in high-performance fields including medi- Plastics
cal devices and food packaging. The effort to
achieve standard quality measurements for re- The combination of different plastic layers within
cycled plastics remains difficult. packaging materials makes recycling them into
usable material ineffective. Advanced technolo-
4. Consumer Behavior and Awareness gies needed to separate different polymer types

from one another remain scarce in the market.
The circular economy faces significant challeng-
es because of how people currently behave as Opportunities in the Circular Economy for
consumers. Most people lack knowledge about Plastics
correct recycling practices which leads to dam-
age of recycling materials. The convenience-de- A sustainable future becomes accessible
manding way of life chooses single-use plastics through numerous business opportunities which
instead of reusable alternatives. organizations and individuals and governments
need to implement.
5. Lack of Global Standardization
1. Advancements in Recycling Technologies
Most nations have diverse legal frameworks
about plastic recycling rules and biodegradable Two innovative recycling solutions combine
options leading to major challenges in building chemical recycling with enzymatic breakdown
standardized systems. The absence of stand- processes and blockchain systems for transpar-
ardized global guidelines forces businesses to ent waste tracking systems.
Recycling Method Description Key Benefit
Mechanical Recycling Shredding and remelting plastics Cost-effective and widely used
Chemical Recycling Breaking down plastics into monomers Higher-quality output for reuse
Enzymatic Recycling Using enzymes to degrade plastics Potential for high efficiency
40 PLASTICS NEWS March 2025