Plastic bags choke oceans: new laws demand recycled content

Flexible plastics, including bags and wraps, are a leading source of ocean pollution and notoriously difficult to recycle. Regulations are tightening globally, with Europe mandating minimum recycled content in flexible packaging by 2030 and California targeting a 65% recycling rate for single-use plastic packaging by 2032. Companies are responding by redesigning packaging for easier recycling and exploring alternative materials.

Efforts include shifting towards paper-based packaging, with companies like Unilever and Nestlé experimenting with coated papers, though moisture resistance can impede recyclability. Advanced recycling technologies, such as chemical recycling, are also being developed to handle difficult-to-recycle plastics. However, these methods face challenges with energy intensity and cost, with chemically recycled plastic being more expensive than virgin material.

In the UK, new schemes aim to increase household collection of flexible plastics starting March 2027. Yet, the capacity for processing this material is insufficient, leading to calls for delays and stricter checks on imported recycled plastic. The US is focusing on California's targets, with initiatives exploring economic viability for recycling polyethylene film, but such efforts require operational subsidies.