Recycling Centers: The Plastic Stockpile Problem

Plastic recycling rates are low across the world. In 2018, the United States recycled 5% of its household plastic waste, while the global recycling rate was 8.7%. In 2019, the EU recycled 6,56 million tonnes of plastic waste out of a total of 16,13 million tonnes produced. The main issues complicating plastic recycling are the quality and price of the recycled product, compared with their unrecycled counterpart.

The recycling rate of PET bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018

In 2018, the recycling rate of PET bottles and jars was 29.1%. This was a similar rate to that of HDPE natural bottles, which was 29.3% in the same year.

Although the recycling of some specific types of plastic containers is more significant, overall the amount of recycled plastics is relatively small. In 2018, the recycling rate of plastics was 8.7%, with three million tons of plastic recycled.

The United States, the world's largest plastic polluter, recycles only 5% of its household plastic waste. In the EU, the situation is slightly better, with 6.56 million tons of plastic waste recycled in 2021. However, the volume of plastic packaging waste generated per inhabitant increased by about 29% between 2010 and 2021.

The low share of plastic recycling in the EU means significant losses for the economy and the environment. In 2019, about 22 million tonnes of plastic ended up in soils, rivers and oceans, and plastic leakage is projected to double by 2060.

The US recycles 5% of its household plastic waste

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) says 60% of plastic collected for recycling worldwide in 2019 was actually recycled. However, this is only 15% of all plastic waste. Many say only 5-9% of plastic is recycled, while the rest is sent to landfills.

Salt Lake City’s recycling program claims to have even better numbers, with 99% of the plastics it collects for recycling actually being recycled instead of burned for fuel or sent to landfill. However, this is not the case for most recycling centres, which generally do not like sending things to landfills because it means they are selling less recycled material.

The US doesn't have the capability to recycle all of its own plastic, and plastic waste exports have decreased as countries such as China have begun ceasing to accept America's waste.

The EU generated 16.13 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2021

In 2021, the EU generated 16.13 million tonnes of plastic waste. This was an increase of 29% from 2010, when the figure was 8.1 kilos per person. While the amount of plastic waste generated in the EU has increased, so has the amount of plastic waste recycled. In 2021, 6.56 million tonnes of plastic waste were recycled in the EU. This is a relatively small amount compared to the total amount of plastic waste generated, but it is an improvement on previous years. For example, in 2018, the recycling rate for PET bottles and jars was 29.1%, and the rate for HDPE natural bottles was 29.3%.

Despite these improvements, the low share of plastic recycling in the EU means significant losses for the economy and the environment. In 2019, about 22 million tonnes of plastic found its way into soils, rivers and oceans, and plastic leakage is projected to double by 2060. By 2060, emissions from the plastics lifecycle are set to more than double, reaching 4.3 billion tonnes of GHG emissions.

The main issues complicating plastic recycling are the quality and price of the recycled product compared to their unrecycled counterpart. The United States, the world's largest plastic polluter, recycles only 5% of its household plastic waste. Around the world, 91% of plastic waste is incinerated, landfilled, or mismanaged (e.g. dumped into the ocean).

The recycling rate of HDPE natural bottles was 29.3% in 2018

In 2018, the United States recycled 5% of its household plastic waste, and globally, 91% of plastic waste is incinerated, landfilled or mismanaged. In 2018, 27 million tons of plastic went to landfill, and 5.6 million tons were combusted.

The EU has been recycling more plastic waste, but it also generates more of it. In 2021, the average person in the EU generated 36.1 kilos of plastic packaging waste, and the total plastic waste produced in the EU that year was 16.13 million tonnes. Of this, 6.56 million tonnes were recycled.

91% of plastic waste is incinerated, landfilled or mismanaged

Recycling centres are only able to recycle a small amount of plastic waste. In 2018, the United States recycled 5% of its household plastic waste, while the global recycling rate was 8.7%. In 2019, the EU recycled 6,56 million tonnes of plastic waste out of a total of 16,13 million tonnes.

Despite growing awareness of the world's plastic waste challenges, 91% of plastic waste is still incinerated, landfilled or mismanaged. This is due to the quality and price of recycled plastic compared to unrecycled plastic. In 2018, 27 million tons of plastic were sent to landfills, and 5.6 million tons were combusted. This is projected to increase, with plastic leakage set to double by 2060.

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