Recycled content in plastic material with focus on PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP

In an ideal circular economy, no primary resources shall enter production processes, but only recycled material. The transition towards circular economy includes the optimisation of manufacturing processes in terms of decrease of primary resource consumption shares but increase of secondary raw material shares. Introducing voluntary or mandatory targets for recycled content in specific plastic products for local (plastic) manufacturing industries and procurement policies is a first step towards an implementation. Thereby, the market for recycled raw materials and subsequently collection and recycling of plastic waste will be stimulated.

This report presents an overview over

• some general aspects of recycling,
• the technical state of the art with respect to
• recycled plastic content in products,
• limiting factors, and
• options for action to boost secondary plastic use in the production process