In industrialised countries, the business of collecting and processing post-consumer plastics continues to grow, with increased amounts of plastics being handled and a greater variety of plastics targeted for recycling. In the rapidly growing business of plastics recycling, profit opportunities vary with the type of plastic.

Companies that make virgin plastics are becoming increasingly involved in plastics recycling. Durable plastics items, as well as packaging, are being recycled in increasing quantities. New methods have been introduced for identifying used plastics by colour and type and for efficiently separating them from other materials.

New applications for recycled plastics (and blends that include recycled plastics) are being developed. Mixed waste plastics are being processed into new polymer products and are being converted into chemicals and fuels. Commingled plastics that are not separated can be processed into mixed plastic products for a small but growing market.

Designed to help companies assess the impact of recent developments on their own operations, this report will also be of use to companies that are considering plastics recycling. Companies already engaged in various segments of the plastics recycling business will find it useful for assessing competitive operations and expansion opportunities.

This report covers the consumption of plastics in Europe, how much waste plastic is produced, a summary of recent legislation and the various methods of dealing with plastic wastes. The plastics recycling industry in Europe is then reviewed, with an in-depth look at the relevant legislation followed by a summary of the situation in most of the major European countries. The major end-use sectors for plastics and the problem of waste plastics in each are examined in the final section.

About the Author

Sara Hulse graduated from the University of Wolverhampton in Applied Sciences in 1984. Since then she has worked for the Institute of Physics, Ciba-Geigy and Rapra Technology, before becoming a freelance Information Specialist in 1995. During her time with Rapra Technology she was a Business Analyst and is thus well qualified to write this report.


1 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 The Report
1.3 Methodology

2 Executive Summary
2.1 General
2.2 Legislation
2.3 The Feasibility of Plastics Recycling

3 Overview
3.1 The Increasing Demand for Plastics in Europe
3.2 The Waste Plastics Problem
3.2.1 The Economic and Environmental Impact of Plastics Waste
3.3 Legislative Summary
3.3.1 The EU Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC)
3.3.2 Forthcoming Changes to EU Legislation
3.4 The Recovery of Plastic Waste
3.4.1 Introduction
3.4.2 The TNO/Sofres Study
3.4.2.1 Assessing Demand for Plastics Recyclate
3.4.2.2 Imbalances Between Waste Recyclate Available and End-Market Demand
3.4.3 Mechanical Recycling
3.4.4 Energy Recovery
3.4.5 Feedstock Recycling
3.4.6 Recycling in Perspective

4 Alternative Methods of Plastic Waste Management
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Landfilling
4.2.1 Increase in Landfilling of Europes Plastic Waste
4.2.2 Agreement Reached on Landfill Directive
4.2.3 The Landfill Tax
4.2.4 New Research on the Health Effects of Landfills
4.3 Incineration
4.4 Mechanical Recycling
4.4.1 Sorting and Separation of Mixed Plastics
4.4.1.1 Automated Plastics Sorting Technology
4.4.1.2 Electrostatic Properties
4.4.1.3 Spectroscopic Sorting Technology
4.4.2 Melt Processing of Commingled Plastics
4.4.3 Recycling of Thermosets
4.5 Feedstock Recycling
4.5.1 Chemical Depolymerisation
4.5.2 Gasification
4.5.3 Hydrogenation
4.5.4 Decomposition and Catalytic Cracking
4.5.5 Current Feedstock Recycling Schemes
4.6 Organic Recycling - the Development and Use of Biodegradable Polymers
4.6.1 Composting
4.6.2 Types of Biodegradable Plastics
4.6.3 Standards and Testing
4.6.4 Legislation
4.6.5 The Future for Biodegradable Plastics

5 The Plastics Recycling Industry in Europe
5.1 Legislation
5.1.1 The EU Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC)
5.1.2 Implementation of the Directive
5.1.3 Revision of the Directive
5.2 Structure of the Recycling Industry - by Country
5.2.1 Austria
5.2.1.1 Legislation
5.2.1.2 Recycling Organisations and Compliance Schemes
5.2.1.3 Current Situation
5.2.1.4 Examples of Recycling Schemes in Operation
5.2.2 Belgium
5.2.2.1 Legislation
5.2.2.2 Recycling Organisations and Compliance Schemes
5.2.2.3 Current Situation
5.2.3 Denmark
5.2.3.1 Legislation
5.2.3.2 Examples of Recycling Schemes in Operation
5.2.4 Finland
5.2.4.1 Recycling Organisations and Compliance Schemes
5.2.4.2 Current Situation
5.2.4.3 Examples of Recycling Schemes in Operation
5.2.5 France
5.2.5.1 Recycling Organisations and Compliance Schemes
5.2.5.2 Current Situation
5.2.6 Germany

5.2.6.1 Legislation
5.2.6.2 Recycling Organisations and Compliance Schemes
5.2.6.3 Current Situation
5.2.6.4 Examples of Recycling Schemes in Operation
5.2.7 Italy
5.2.7.1 Recycling Organisations and Compliance Schemes
5.2.7.2 Current Situation
5.2.8 Luxembourg
5.2.8.1 Legislation
5.2.8.2 Recycling Organisations and Compliance Schemes
5.2.8.3 Current Situation
5.2.9 Netherlands
5.2.9.1 Recycling Organisations and Compliance Schemes
5.2.10 Spain
5.2.10.1 Legislation
5.2.10.2 Recycling Organisations and Compliance Schemes
5.2.10.3 Current Situation
5.2.10.4 Examples of Recycling Schemes in Operation
5.2.11 Switzerland
5.2.11.1 Current Situation
5.2.11.2 Recycling Schemes in Operation
5.2.12 UK
5.2.12.1 Legislation
5.2.12.2 Recycling Organisations and Compliance Schemes
5.2.12.3 Current Situation
5.2.12.4 Examples of Recycling Schemes in Operation

6 The End-Use Sectors
6.1 Packaging
6.1.1 Consumption of Plastics in Packaging Applications
6.1.2 The Problem of Plastics Packaging Waste