Chemical Recycling: A Beginner's Guide
In 2022, 55% of UK generated plastic packaging waste was recycled. Of this, 46% was exported for recycling. By reprocessing materials like plastic, we reduce the need for raw resources, which plays a vital role in fostering sustainability. Currently, the UK’s recycling efforts predominantly depend on mechanical recycling. Although this traditional recycling method is able to reprocess a range of plastic materials, it cannot handle every type of plastic. This is either due to the design of the product, the level of contamination or the recycling process itself.
Chemical recycling bridges a crucial gap and can work with mechanical recycling to help us to achieve a circular flow of resources. Read more to uncover how the adoption of chemical recycling can significantly increase the circularity of plastics.
- What is mechanical recycling?
- What is chemical recycling?
- What types of technology is involved in chemical recycling?
- Why is chemical recycling important for sustainability?
- Is chemical recycling the solution to recycle all plastic?
- What is preventing chemical recycling in the UK?
- In what industries is mass balanced used?
What is mechanical recycling?
It’s likely that the contents of your household recycling bins are sent for mechanical recycling. Mechanical recycling is widely adopted and involves reprocessing plastic waste through various mechanical processes.
This method is pivotal in recycling popular plastics like polyethylene (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP). The process involves collecting, sorting, shredding, washing and melting plastic before extruding it back to a plastic pellet. By sorting plastics by their material type, mechanical recycling enables us to repurpose used plastics into a variety of new applications.
Although there is a wide range of products able to take recyclate from mechanical recycling facilities there are some limitations on where the recyclate can be used. For example, due to food contact regulations, mechanically recycled materials are only permissible in select food contact applications, such as PET and HDPE milk bottles. However, this presents an exciting opportunity to explore alternative recycling technologies that could enable the inclusion of recycled content in other products.
What is chemical recycling?
Chemical recycling focuses on breaking down the chemical bonds that form the material's structure. Imagine a chain of people linked by holding hands. In the context of mechanical recycling, this line of individuals would be repositioned, yet the connections would remain intact because they continue to hold hands.
In chemical recycling, each person would let go of their neighbour’s hand. By breaking these bonds, plastics can be deconstructed into their most fundamental building blocks. These building blocks can then be utilised to create new material identical to virgin materials, but instead is made from a recycled feedstock. This enables the recycled content to be used in a wider variety of products, including contact sensitive or highly engineered products.
(Click here to watch our short video on chemical recycling).
What types of technology is involved in chemical recycling?
Chemical recycling refers to an array of technologies that enable plastics to be transformed back into their raw material building blocks or monomers. It is important to note that this process also known as advanced recycling (AR) or non-mechanical, is distinct from energy recovery or incineration as new plastic products are produced.
The following four methods can be described as chemical recycling:
- Depolymerisation
- Pyrolysis
- Gasification
- Hydrothermal Treatment
Why is chemical recycling important for sustainability?
This innovative recycling method enables us to convert items which previously could not be mechanically recycled into high-quality, virgin-grade materials. These materials are perfect for manufacturing products essential to healthcare, food, and other critical sectors, all while adhering to UK regulatory safety standards. Furthermore, chemically recycled material is versatile enough to be utilised in the production of advanced products, including airplane components and car parts.
Is chemical recycling the solution to recycle all plastic?
No, it is an exciting developing technology, but it needs to work alongside mechanical recycling. Mechanical recycling presents an economical and environmentally friendly approach to recycling, making it the ideal choice whenever possible.
Chemical recycling is there to deal with the material which cannot be mechanically recycled. It serves as an important complementary technology, designed to expand the variety of plastics that can be recycled. Its primary goal is to enhance recycling rates rather than divert material away from mechanical recycling facilities. It also provides a less environmentally impactful end of life option for plastic than energy from waste or landfill.
What is preventing chemical recycling in the UK?
- Need for feedstock (plastic film)
Local councils do not collect soft plastics, leading to their frequent disposal as waste. A number of UK supermarkets have set up collection points for these plastics in hopes to enhance their recycling rates. However, to effectively ensure that a higher number of plastic bags and other plastic films can be given a new life, it's essential that the government implement kerbside collection for these valuable plastics. Chemical recycling facilities have the capability to process highly contaminated films, and these provide valuable feedstock for chemical recycling. Confidence in feedstock is key for investment in new chemical recycling facilities.
- Acceptance of mass balance within the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT)
Mass balance is the calculation method needed for chemical recycling and is a chain of custody approach. This model provides documented proof that chemically recycled material is mixed with virgin, non-recycled materials and its movement through the recycling process, (even if it cannot be physically traced). By ensuring that the input of recycled materials is balanced with the output of recycled content (accounting for any losses), mass balance enables the recycled content to be attributed to specific products.
Adopting a mass balance approach and allowing attribution to a certain product (not fuel) enables companies to integrate chemically recycled material into their packaging and meet the 30% recycled content needed for the PPT.
In the Autumn Budget 2024, the government announced that businesses can now use a mass balance approach to evidence recycled content in chemically recycled plastic for the PPT. However, there is not a fixed date for this to take effect, as the draft legislation will be published ‘in due course’.
In what industries is mass balanced used?
Known brands such as Ben & Jerry's and Clippa Tea both utilise mass balance to align with Fairtrade sourcing. This practice allows mixing Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade products in production and shipping. However, mass balance isn't exclusive to Fairtrade; it's embraced by a diverse array of industries, including:
- Palm oil
- Cocoa
- Timber (FSC)
- Biofuels
- Rainforest Alliance
Summary
The UK must substantially increase its mechanical recycling capabilities to lessen dependence on exports. Additionally, it is crucial to invest in innovative technologies like chemical recycling to achieve this.
In light of the UK Labour government's recent 2024 Autumn Budget announcement, businesses will soon have the opportunity to utilise a mass balance approach to demonstrate recycled content for chemically recycled plastics under the Plastics Packaging Tax (PPT). This marks a significant step in our journey towards achieving a circular economy.
The British Plastics Federation (BPF) is optimistic that this development will lead to advancements in UK chemical recycling plants, thereby driving progress within the UK's recycling industry. Gain a full explanation of chemical recycling via our Chemical Recycling Information Hub.
Authors:
- Helen Jordan, BPF Sustainability Manager
- Tahira Mclean, BPF Content & Marketing Executive
References:
- https://www.bpf.co.uk/roadmap.aspx
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67225b9b3ce5634f5f6ef579/Autumn_Budget_2024__print_ready_.pdf
- www.recoup.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/uk-household-plastic-packaging-collection-survey-2022-full-report-5123-1672931733.pdf
- https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/plastic-packaging-tax-chemical-recycling-and-adoption-of-a-mass-balance-approach/outcome/plastic-packaging-tax-chemical-recycling-and-adoption-of-a-mass-balance-approach#mass-balance-models
- https://www.bpf.co.uk/hub/home.aspx
- www.gov.uk/government/consultations/plastic-packaging-tax-chemical-recycling-and-adoption-of-a-mass-balance-approach/plastic-packaging-tax-chemical-recycling-and-adoption-of-a-mass-balance-approach
Last edited: 15/11/24
*Please note that this article is not a press release. Do not use on your own website unless given specific permission from the author.
