Chemical Recycling Collaborative

Exploring the landscape of chemical recycling technologies and the role that they may play in packaging sustainability.

Contact

collaboratives@greenblue.org

SPC Team Lead

Ruth Maust

Co-Chair

Rachel Goldstein, Mars, Inc.
Holli Alexander, Eastman

Exploring the landscape of chemical recycling technologies and the role that they may play in packaging sustainability. The Chemical Recycling Collaborative will be a year-long initiative focused on exploring the landscape of chemical recycling technologies and the role that they may play in packaging sustainability. The purpose of the Collaborative is to bring members together throughout the value chain to discuss and explore the challenges and opportunities of chemical recycling. This Collaborative is targeted at all members of the packaging value chain.

Are you a current SPC member who wants to join the Collaborative?
Email: collaboratives@greenblue.org

2023 Meeting Dates

• January 18
• February 22
• April 5
• May 10
• June 21
• July 26

The Challenge

Chemical recycling, also known as advanced recycling, feedstock recycling, or transformative technologies, refers to the various processes that break down waste products into their component chemicals. There are a range of technologies and outputs, and a variety of different applications from these outputs.

In many regards, chemical recycling is being hailed as a promising solution for many hard-to-recycle materials, but, at the same time, cautioned against as energy intensive and difficult to scale. The landscape of chemical recycling technologies is complex and widespread. It can be difficult for a company to understand the potential applications of these new technologies and their relevance towards packaging. For many of these technologies to reach scale it will take significant effort throughout the supply chain from collection of hard-to-recycle materials to end market application of the recycled feedstocks. Many questions demand further exploration:

• What is the role of chemical recycling in sustainable packaging?

• What is the ability of chemical recycling technology to contribute towards sustainable packaging?

• What are the next steps that need to occur throughout the value chain to achieve the benefits of chemical recycling?

To answer these, we need to better understand the current landscape of chemical recycling. This landscape includes:

Scope: This Collaborative will take a broad approach, examining the entire lifecycle of packaging and chemical recycling considerations at each stage, including design, sourcing, manufacturing disposal, collection, and processing. The scope of technologies explored will include all types that are intended to break down waste via a non-mechanical process, including purification, depolymerization, and conversion.

Goal: Increase awareness and understanding of the range of recycling solutions available and their applications, understand stakeholder perspectives, and identify opportunities for further collaboration or action.

Potential Outcomes:

• Capture learnings, concerns, and gaps in existing information.

• Identify areas of relevance to various value chain levels and develop a roadmap for members to understand their role in accelerating chemical recycling.

• Recommended next steps to advance the conversation and support the acceleration of chemical recycling technologies and infrastructure that contribute to more sustainable packaging.

Resources

Slides & Recordings from Past Collaborative Meetings

SPC members can log in to review presentations from past collaborative meetings.

Are you a current SPC member who wants to join the Collaborative?
Email: collaboratives@greenblue.org