From 2030, every plastic packaging placed on the European market must contain recycled plastic raw material. That shouldn’t be a problem – if it weren’t for the plastic recycling paradox: there is plenty of plastic in society and the market is crying out for high-quality recycled raw material. However, the recycling industry mainly produces low-quality plastic products that cannot be used for plastic packaging. An impossible equation for a circular economy.
Mattias Philipsson explains the plastic recycling paradox and what is required for Sweden to achieve its climate goals by making plastic part of the circular economy.