UBA’s key aspects to increase plastic recycling and the use of recyclates

The recycling of plastic waste and the use of recyclates in new products conserve primary raw materials and, unlike the production from crude oil, save energy and reduce CO2 emissions. Recycling (i.e. material recovery) is usually the most environmentally friendly choice among waste management processes. Consequently, material recovery from waste is at the top of the recovery options in the Circular Economy Act’s waste hierarchy. Nevertheless, plastic waste in Germany is predominantly recovered for energy. The recycling of plastic waste has remained at a low level for years, even though significantly more plastics could be reclaimed in this way. The causes are varied, therefore a range of measures and tools are required aimed at the elimination of barriers and at the promotion of high-quality plastic recycling and use of recyclates. This paper presents the German Environment Agency’s view as to which measures and tools should be applied.