Data point: rethinking recycling

Despite increasing awareness of the scale and impact of plastic pollution, the production of virgin plastics has continued to grow in recent years. Plastic materials are relatively cheap to make, and plastic is a core component in almost everything we use, from consumer goods to construction materials.

Beyond the problem of the prevalence of plastic pollution in the natural environment (and within our own bodies), producing virgin plastics often requires massive amounts of oil and fossil-fuel-based energy. One decades-old solution aimed at addressing plastic pollution and reducing pressure for virgin plastic is plastics recycling. 

But according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), only 14-18% of global plastic waste is recycled.

Even though the concept of recycling is not new, shifting regional policies about acceptable types of recyclable plastic (even if something has the arrow symbol doesn’t mean it can be easily recycled) can make recycling seem unclear and inconvenient to consumers and lead to improper disposal habits. In some cases, even if only a small percentage of a recycling load is contaminated with non-recyclable materials, the whole batch can end up in a landfill. 

New technologies in advanced recycling processes are allowing some of the harder-to-recycle plastics like thin films to live a second and sometimes third life. Recognising the value in plastic waste is critical to strengthening efforts to collect and recycle these materials, keeping them out of our rivers and seas. Advanced recycling technologies hold great potential for addressing the issue. Smart technology placed in waste receptacles can help identify exactly what is and is not recyclable.

Since plastics will continue to be an essential component of global supply chains, it is important that plastic recycling rates are improved to help reduce the flow of plastic waste. This will allow businesses and consumers to continue benefiting from the value of plastics while lowering their adverse environmental implications. Common materials like paper, aluminium and steel are all recycled at a far higher rate of more than 50%. Raising consumer awareness on this issue and introducing policies that encourage plastic recycling can help address the discrepancy. 

The Sustainability Project's "data points" series visualises and contextualises news-worthy and relevant information.

Explore our previous data points:

• Data point: are national net-zero promises enough?

• Data point: harnessing the power of green portfolios

• Data point: climate finance flows

• Data point: electric car market share in Europe, 2015-20