Plastic is everywhere in our lives, but what about its recycling? For years, the plastic industry has claimed that recycling solutions are in place. However, a recent report by INRAE (source: : https://www.inrae.fr/actualites/finir-idees-recues-plastique ) raises serious questions about the actual effectiveness of plastic recycling.
1. Key Figures: Limited Recycling
Plastic recycling isn’t performing as well as promised. According to the INRAE report, only 1 to 2% of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles—one of the most common types of plastic—are truly recycled. And this figure applies to just one kind of plastic, while most others don’t have any viable recycling solution.
Why? Because most plastics are "downcycled", meaning they are turned into lower-quality products. For example, used plastic films are often converted into clothing, furniture, or flower pots. These items then degrade further, releasing micro- and nanoplastics into the environment.
2. Recycling Challenges: An Overlooked Reality
Polymers, which make up most plastics, cannot all be mechanically recycled. Moreover, the recycling process inevitably deteriorates the physical and chemical properties of the plastic. Additives like plasticizers and dyes further complicate recyclability.
Another key issue: recycled plastic is always of lower quality than virgin plastic. This means it’s impossible to recreate products of equal quality using recycled material—a major limitation, especially for applications like food packaging or other sensitive uses.
3. Be More Ambitious
We must recognize that the solution lies not only in improving recycling, but also in reducing plastic consumption. Wouldn't it be more logical to seek truly sustainable alternatives? Why continue investing in a system that, despite its efforts, remains largely insufficient?
Source reduction—such as reusable packaging—is the path forward if we want to stop repeating the same mistakes.
Key Quote from Nathalie Gontard, research director at INRAE: "Only PET bottles—1 to 2% of plastics—are truly recycled.".
Plastic Recycling: Myth or Reality?