Facts about Plastic Recycling

Less than ten percent of all plastic ever produced has been recycled. Many plastic products are designed for single use and made from multi-layered materials, which makes them particularly difficult to recycle. If at all, plastic gets downcycled, but mostly it ends up in landfills or incinerators. Recycling, whether mechanical or chemical, is not a solution to the plastic crisis. The only answer is to reduce plastic production.

Cover of "Zero Waste City Manual"

Zero Waste City Manual

The main aim of the Zero Waste Cities Manual is to provide a practical guide for the implementation of a zero waste system that emphasises decentralisation, source segregation, resource recovery, and informal sector inclusion. The vision for a zero waste system is to minimise movement of solid waste generated to disposal sites or facilities.

Website Screenshot "We Choose Reuse"

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We Choose Reuse

The campaign pushes for ambitious and robust reuse solutions to the plastic pollution crisis. They engage with decision-makers, businesses, municipalities and the wider public to advocate for a future where reusable packaging is scaled up and robust reuse systems are put in place.

Cover of "Chemical Recycling: A Dangerous Reception (2023)"

Chemical Recycling: A Dangerous Reception (2023)

This report addresses the plastic industry’s claims that chemical recycling, also known as “advanced recycling,” can play a significant role in reducing global plastic pollution. The science and data currently available do not support this claim and actually point to the conclusion that chemical recycling would support expansion of plastic production, while potentially causing unacceptable levels of environmental and social harm.

Cover of "Better Alternatives 3.0 - A Case Study on Bioplastic Products and Packaging (2023)"

Better Alternatives 3.0 - A Case Study on Bioplastic Products and Packaging (2023)

Promising research continues to emerge around alternative materials to single-use plastic. However, labels like “compostable” and “biodegradable” are misleading. The case study offers greater transparency around these novel materials, their behavior in the environment, and other concerns.

Cover of "100% Greenwash? Green Claims on PET Beverage Bottles in Europe"

100% Greenwash? Green Claims on PET Beverage Bottles in Europe (2023)

This report explores the current state of PET-based bottle recycling in Europe, as well as its potential for improvement, alongside analysis of common claims made to consumers on bottle labels relating to recycling.

Cover of "Unbottling Greenwashing"

Unbottling Greenwashing: Lifting the lid on plastic bottle recycling claims (2023)

Plastic water bottles are one of Europe’s most frequently purchased consumer products, a well-recognised source of plastic pollution and other environmental harm. Yet they remain widely promoted through claims relating to recycling. These claims are either vague, factually inaccurate, or otherwise not substantiated.

Cover of "Leaky loop “recycling”: A technical correction on the quality of pyrolysis oil made from plastic waste (2023)"

Leaky loop “recycling”: A technical correction on the quality of pyrolysis oil made from plastic waste (2023)

This report examines the widely promoted pyrolysis method in plastic waste management, shedding light on its inherent limitations. Pyrolysis has been hailed as a solution by industry, but this study reveals significant drawbacks.

Cover of Disposable paper-based food packaging: the false solution to the packaging waste crisis (2023)

Disposable paper-based food packaging: the false solution to the packaging waste crisis (2023)

In the ongoing negotiations of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, the realities of disposable paper-based food packaging should not be ignored. Legislators must seize the opportunity to curb the growing levels of packaging waste driven by overreliance on single-use products.

Cover of "Chemical Recycling: Distraction, Not Solution"

Chemical Recycling: Distraction, not Solution (2020)

Drawing on the Chemical Recycling technical assessment released in June 2020, this briefing unveils various technologies referred to as “chemical recycling” and addresses toxicity, climate implications, technology readiness, financial viability, and circularity of the processes.

The Plastic Problem - A PBS NewsHour Documentary - PBS NewsHour

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The Plastic Problem

The documentary looks at plastic and how it’s impacting the world and what potential alternatives or solutions are out there.

The Plastic Atlas: Facts & Figures about the World of Synthetic Polymers - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

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Plastic Atlas (2021)

The Plastic Atlas has the hard facts, data and figures to prove that the story of plastic that industry is telling us is a myth.

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