A Systemic Circular Model for innovative sustainable recycling of thermoplastics

Abstract

Sustainable recovery and recycling of plastics is becoming an increasingly important global issue. Waste from the plastics industry has seen an exponential increase, which is expected to continue in the future. Currently, the majority of the plastic waste generated is discarded and the gap between the amount of plastic waste discarded and incinerated compared to recycled is huge. Closing this gap requires addressing many systemic issues in the value chain through a more holistic, complex systems approach that better understands the different values, norms and behaviours intrinsic in patterns of relations between key stakeholders. Taking a complex systems perspective necessitates the advancement of new innovations and a more circular model for the recycling industry. It highlights specific innovations that provide disruptive ways to design and develop processes and products that go beyond traditional recycling technologies and systems to find new cost-competitive uses for plastic waste streams that are currently too expensive or not convenient to process. The work outlines a circular model for the plastics value chain to support these innovations. On the one hand, it focuses on increasing the level of global awareness and changing the mindset of society to move away from plastics and towards more innovative solutions. And on the other hand, it promotes legislation and financing that motivates companies in the plastics value chain to scale and grow these innovations. Such a circular model will not only ensure more sustainable production and consumption of plastics but provide a paradigm for addressing other global challenges.