The Plastics Landscape 2021

Better Plastic Alternatives

Detachment from fossil-based plastics is an urgent goal for both brands and consumers and it’s fuelling significant developments within bioplastics and other climate-conscious alternatives. Optimised manufacturing and promising derivatives that use hemp, algae, agro-industry waste and graphene look set to further evolve the market.

Demystifying Biodegradability & Compostability

While degradable plastics offer relief for our plastic problem, considerable concerns exist around greenwashing, confused terminology, and the reality of microplastic pollution. New solutions, standards and innovations are helping to debunk and improve this group of materials.

Easing Recyclability

The demand for recycled plastic is rising due to new legislation and increasing industry and consumer pressure. Investment in revolutionary recycling systems and technologies hold promise for the availability of high-quality recyclable plastics – with lower costs, more convenience and better efficiency than ever before.

Advancing Circularity

Commitments from major users and producers of plastic are driving circular solutions, with takeback initiatives and monomaterial designs that contribute to a sustainable life cycle for plastics. But weaker efforts from the world’s worst plastic polluters are controversial.

Tackling Different Waste Streams

Brands and designers are becoming more proactive about addressing plastic waste. Problematic types that are especially difficult to recycle or dispose of are being crafted into luxury products that beautify or disguise discarded matter. Waste plastic is also becoming a resource for alternative building materials.