Sebastian Kahlert, Catharina R.

Bening,
Why pledges alone will not get plastics recycled: Comparing recyclate production
and anticipated demand,
Resources, Conservation and Recycling,
Volume 181,
2022,
106279,
ISSN 0921-3449,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106279.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344922001276)
Abstract: Scientific analysis and media coverage of rampant plastic pollution has
taken a toll on the material's reputation in recent years, fueling talk of a
“plastic crisis”. Brand owners have made ambitious pledges to overcome this crisis—
but can voluntary commitments turn the tide? In this paper, we analyze the current
flow of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from production to recycling in the
European Union (EU). We show that the pledged volume for recycled PET (rPET) to be
used in the EU in 2025 amounts to 2.066 m tons, requiring the annual recycling
growth rate to double in the next years compared to 2014–2018. Our results indicate
that even widespread adoption of deposit return systems for bottles will not
suffice, especially when increasing demand from other industries drives the price
above the packaging producers’ willingness to pay. To realize the pledges,
substantial investments and a regulatory framework for the targeted and sensible
use of PET recyclate are necessary.
Keywords: Plastics recycling; Circular economy; Polyethylene terephthalate;
Circular plastics alliance; Recycled content targets