Flexible film recycling enablers identified

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste has published a report outlining five critical circularity enablers for flexible plastic packaging recycling in Europe and North America.

The report, titled 'The Challenges and Solutions for Flexible Plastic Packaging Waste,' identifies segregated waste collection, advanced secondary sorting, end-market demand for recycled material, de-risking investment and design-for-recyclability guidelines as the key drivers needed to improve flexible film recycling rates and recyclate quality.

Flexible plastic currently accounts for more than 50 percent of the total plastic packaging market globally, a volume expected to rise with increasing consumer demand. However, the material remains particularly difficult to collect and recycle due to its lightweight nature and frequent use in multi-material packaging formats.

'Delivering materials circularity for flexible plastics is complex but achievable,' said Jacob Duer, president and CEO of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste. 'Combined with industry action and regulatory momentum, there is a real opportunity to improve the rate and quality of flexible films recycling in an accelerated timeframe.'

The report takes a whole-of-life view of flexible plastic waste management and classifies end-of-life pathways according to their environmental and economic impact, including open- and closed-loop recycling, refill and reuse systems and materials substitution.

Among the policy mechanisms highlighted, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and mandatory post-consumer recycled (PCR) content targets are identified as critical for developing end markets and justifying investment in recycling infrastructure.

The Alliance is now developing a Flexibles Thematic Program in Europe and North America aimed at demonstrating integrated recycling systems. The program focuses on market mapping, demonstration projects and enabling replication across geographies where foundational recycling infrastructure is already in place.