The Realities of Chemical Recycling and the Plastic Pollution Crisis

Download our Webinar Highlights fact sheet for key findings and quotes from this webinar.

In the midst of the global plastics pollution crisis, there has been growing interest in so-called “advanced recycling” and “chemical recycling" for plastic. However, these processes pose many concerns. One concern is the large number of toxic chemicals found in recycled plastics. 

More than 13,000 chemicals are used in plastic production, including thousands of plastics additives, as well as substances that are added unintentionally. Thousands of these chemicals are known to have dangerous properties, while the health effects of others are unknown.

A recent study investigated the composition of recycled plastic pellets from 28 small-scale facilities in various countries and found alarming levels of contaminants, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial compounds.

Only 1% of plastic chemicals are subject to international regulation, and there are no laws monitoring chemicals in recycled materials. Plastics need to be regulated throughout their lifecycle, which includes curbing of production, use, waste management, and remediation. The study recommends increased transparency, chemical simplification, improved waste management, and monitoring of hazardous chemicals for safer recycling.

In this webinar,  Dr. Eric Carmona, a scientist at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, will discuss a recent study of chemical pollutants found in recycled plastics. Alaska State Representative Andy Josephson will discuss plastics pollution and legislation in Alaska.