The secret of recyclable packaging: can they always be recycled successfully?

Today, when "plastic cycling" and "plastic pollution" are repeatedly mentioned, recyclable packaging is becoming increasingly popular. Sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics, such as recycled plastic (PCR materials), paper-based packaging, bio-based materials, and mono materials, have gradually come into the public eye. They claim to be recyclable and beneficial for reducing environmental impact and improving resource recycling rates. However, even though these packages are designed for recyclability, is the actual situation really as environmentally friendly and effective as expected? In this article, we will explore whether recyclable packaging can really be recycled smoothly and briefly analyze the main challenges faced during the recycling process.

Paper-based Packaging: Dilemmas in Reality

Paper-based packaging, derived from renewable plant resources, is relatively easy to decompose in the natural environment and has a relatively small burden on the environment. It is usually considered easy to recycle. In fact, the paper recovery rate has been declining. Facing market changes related to the demand for higher-quality recycled paper, the existing global paper recycling infrastructure is both technologically insufficient and uneconomical. On the other hand, although paper itself undoubtedly has high recyclability, paper-based packaging is often not composed of a single type of paper. In order to improve the waterproof effect and wear resistance of paper-based packaging, other materials such as plastic films are often combined and the combination of these "foreign components" with paper makes the separation and processing of paper-based packaging complex.

It is worth noting that paper fibers can only be recycled a few times before complete degradation. This means that even with the best recycling solutions, any increase in the total amount of packaging paper used will inevitably increase the demand for virgin pulp in the end.

Recycled Plastic: The Gap Between Reality and Ideal

Recycled plastic, especially post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR), is one of the controversial recyclable materials in the industry. They show certain potential in reducing reliance on raw resources and improving the recycling rate of packaging materials, in line with the current pursuit of plastic recycling and reuse core idea in the European Union. However, the encouraging concept of PCR materials, the actual recovery rate is not high.

First, high-quality recyclables are not easily available, and the mixed waste plastics recovered from different channels are difficult to separate and clean, affecting the quality of reuse. Secondly, PCR plastics may have decreased physical properties due to multiple recycling, not only limiting their application scope but also shortening the life cycle of the materials, making it unsustainable in the end. Additionally, with the current existing recycling technologies, it is difficult to effectively handle complex plastic mixtures, which discourages some recycling enterprises.

Bio-based Materials: The Conflict Between Ideal and Reality

Bio-based materials, as an emerging recyclable packaging material, are not without problems. Although they come from renewable resources, during the recycling process, their special chemical structure and properties may require specific recycling technologies and facilities (such as high-temperature composting), and ordinary recycling facilities cannot meet these conditions. Moreover, the cost of bio-based materials is generally more than 30% higher than similar petroleum-based products. The market size is relatively small, promotion and application are difficult, and the recycling system is not yet perfect, which also limits their large-scale recycling and utilization. The same problem exists as with PCR materials. After recycling and reprocessing, the properties of bio-based plastics may change, and their compatibility with other materials may also be affected, limiting their reuse in some high-end applications.

Mono Material Packaging: Simplicity and Challenges Coexist

To simplify the recycling process and increase the recycling rate, mono material packaging reduces the complexity of multi-material combinations and should theoretically be a "favored choice" for recycling. However, even with packaging designed to be easily recyclable, there are still notable difficulties in actual operation. Mono material packaging may also be contaminated by various pollutants during use, such as food residues, oil stains, chemical substances, etc. These pollutants will affect the quality of the recycled materials and increase the difficulty and cost of subsequent processing. The public's insufficient knowledge of how to correctly recycle these packages is also a major obstacle.

However, compared to the above three types of recyclable packaging, mono material packaging has more advantages in production cost and recycling.. The reason lies in the mono material structure, which is easy to recycle and regenerate. The entire life cycle of the packaging material has been considered from the design source. From the perspective of recycling, the recycled materials (PIR, post-industrial materials) generated in the mono material packaging manufacturing process can be recycled by manufacturers for production, or recycled by recyclers to become valuable materials for manufacturing PCR. Compared with recycling post-consumer waste plastics, this method generally has better quality and is conducive to improving the performance of PCR. Compared with the uncontrollability of post-consumer recycling, recycling from the industrial production end slso helps to improve the recycling rate of resources.

Simplification, sustainability and efficiency are the current development characteristics of the packaging industry, and the advantages of single-material packaging are outstanding.

Mingca Packing's mono material recyclable PEF heat shrink film has the advantages of being recyclable and high-performance

Overall, PCR materials, paper-based packaging, bio-based materials, and mono materials are theoretically all good choices for environmentally friendly and recyclable packaging. But to achieve their expected efficient and successful recycling, a series of technical, facility and management challenges still need to be overcome to ensure their normal recycling. Otherwise, there will be a contradictory situation of "most packaging is not recycled or composted, even though it says it can". The ideal approach is to promote the improvement of all packaging materials, combined with design optimization, technological progress, policy support, and public education, to achieve the goals of minimizing environmental impact and maximizing resource utilization.

There is still a long way to go to make the circular economy a reality. But Mingca Packing believes that with technological progress and increased attention to sustainable development, the plastic recycling system is constantly improving and evolving. In the future, we are expected to see more efficient and wider plastic recycling and utilization, allowing recyclable materials to play their due value on the road of environmental protection.