Can Advanced Recycling Solve the Global Plastic Waste Crisis

The global plastic waste crisis has become a major environmental problem, and advanced recycling technologies are being explored as a potential solution. Advanced recycling refers to new technologies that can break down plastic waste into its original building blocks, allowing it to be reused to create new products.


Advanced recycling has the potential to revolutionize the way plastic waste is managed, by reducing the need for new plastics and minimizing the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills or the ocean. It also has the potential to create a new circular economy for plastics, where waste is transformed into valuable resources.



However, there are still many challenges that need to be overcome before advanced recycling can become a viable solution. One of the biggest challenges is the cost of these technologies, which can be prohibitively expensive for many companies.


There are also technical challenges, such as the need to develop more efficient and effective recycling processes, as well as the need for better sorting and collection of plastic waste. In addition, there are regulatory and policy challenges, such as the need for clearer guidelines and incentives to encourage companies to invest in advanced recycling.


Despite these challenges, there is growing interest in advanced recycling technologies, and many companies are investing in research and development in this area. For example, major companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have announced plans to invest in advanced recycling technologies, as part of their efforts to reduce their environmental impact.


Advanced recycling technologies may have the potential to solve the global plastic waste crisis, but there are still many challenges that need to be addressed. Companies can play a critical role in this effort by investing in research and development, collaborating with others, and adopting more sustainable practices. By doing so, they can not only reduce their environmental impact but also create a more positive image for their brand and contribute to a more sustainable future for all.

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Sustainable Packaging just got Bold

The New Plastics Economy is an ambitious initiative led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, bringing together various stakeholders across the plastics value chain. Its aim

Recyclable

 materials or products that can be used again after they have been treated using a special industrial process (Cambridge dictionary)

Industrially compostable

Industrial composting can deal with a broader range of compostable products and operates in a highly controlled setting with specific temperatures and conditions. Industrial composting is able to apply a far higher temperature to the already pre-processed packaging material. The high heat breaks the packaging down even further, hastening the decomposition.