Plastic waste doesn’t belong in our environment. Plastics are too valuable to be just thrown away. Many developing countries and emerging economies lack suitable collection and recycling infrastructure for used plastic products. Germany’s plastics processing industry can help the Alliance by bringing its expertise to bear in designing plastic products that are recyclable and have a reduced impact on the environment, as well as by using recycled plastics in new products.
When plastics reach the end of their lives, they have to be disposed of and reused as part of a well-organised system; examples of potential options include mechanical or feedstock recycling. Products made from biodegradable plastic can also make a significant contribution to promoting sustainability in certain sectors. The idea of the circular economy is a comprehensive approach that starts with initial product design.