Fifty Years: Chemical Recycling’s fading promise

Chemical Recycling is the process of converting plastic waste into raw materials to make new plastic, helping reduce the need for fossil fuels - the feedstock of most plastics. Chemical Recycling initially appeared to be a promising solution to the plastic waste crisis, however, concerns are growing about its effectiveness, environmental impacts and economic sustainability.  

The Reality Behind the Technology

Chemical Recycling is proving to be a costly gamble. The most common chemical recycling method, pyrolysis, is very expensive and requires considerable investment and regulations to be used widely. Additionally, the oil produced from this process is often heavily contaminated, making it unsuitable for producing new plastics.

Experts estimate that by 2075, half of the world’s plastics could come from recycled sources. However, around one-third of the materials used in chemical recycling will still come from fossil fuels. A key strategy to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels is to significantly cut back on the consumption of plastics and fertilisers, both of which are major consumers of fossil fuels. 

Conflict of Interest

The chemical recycling industry must take its share of responsibility in combating the plastic waste crisis. The EU and UK have recently signed the Bridge to Busan declaration, a global pledge to reduce the production of virgin (brand new) plastic to meet the broader climate targets of the Paris Agreement. While the EU pushes for systemic change, major chemical companies remain resistant. Many current chemical recycling processes still rely heavily on virgin oils extracted from fossil fuels to produce recycled plastics, contradicting the EU's goal to prioritise waste prevention. 

A Roadmap for Systemic Change

Relying too heavily on chemical recycling risks overlooking the real solutions needed to tackle the plastic waste crisis. To move beyond the fading promises, the Zero Waste Europe report recommends key steps towards combating the plastic waste crisis by:

• Adopting the EU waste hierarchy framework to promote waste prevention.

• Imposing legal limits on the amount of virgin plastics produced.

• Ensuring a safe, non-toxic and transparent recycling process.

• Reallocating public funding away from unproven recycling technologies like pyrolysis.

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For more information contact: info@scarabtrust.org.uk

Image: refinery tower dusk - Photo by Michael Pointner (ST ref:1355)