The world is facing a severe plastic waste crisis, with over 400 million tons of plastic waste produced annually, less than 6 percent of which is effectively recycled. This has led to millions of tons of waste ending up in landfills or leaking into the environment, resulting in an estimated resource loss of $120 billion per year. Traditional recycling methods have proven inadequate in managing the sheer volume of plastic waste generated.
The Need for Innovative Solutions
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation emphasizes the importance of finding innovative solutions to address the plastic waste crisis. One such solution is the use of chemical recycling technology, which breaks down plastic waste into reusable petrochemical components. This technology, developed at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in collaboration with Yissum, the university’s tech-transfer company, has the potential to revolutionize the way we manage plastic waste.
Plastic Back’s Low-Temperature Chemical Recycling Technology
Plastic Back, an Israeli company, has developed a low-temperature chemical recycling technology that converts hard-to-recycle plastics like PVC into valuable byproducts. This technology breaks down plastic waste into reusable petrochemical components, reducing landfill waste, decreasing reliance on virgin raw materials, and supporting a circular economy.
- Types of plastic treated: polypropylene, high-density polypropylene (HDPE), low-density polypropylene (LDPE), multilayer plastic, mixed plastic, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Process: breaks down plastic waste into reusable petrochemical components
- Result: reduces landfill waste, decreases reliance on virgin raw materials, and supports a circular economy
The Benefits of Chemical Recycling
Chemical recycling offers several benefits over traditional recycling methods. It can break down plastic waste into reusable petrochemical components, reducing the need for virgin raw materials and minimizing waste. This approach also supports a circular economy by creating a closed-loop system where materials are constantly cycled back into production.
Reducing Landfill Waste and Dependence on Virgin Raw Materials
Chemical recycling reduces landfill waste by breaking down plastic waste into reusable petrochemical components. This approach also decreases dependence on virgin raw materials, providing a sustainable solution for the petrochemical industry.
“PVC is considered a huge bottleneck in the chemical recycling industry,” said Plastic Back CEO Tal Binder Cohen. “We see the PVC chemical recycling segment as a major opportunity.”
The Partnership with a US-Based Recycler
Plastic Back has announced a strategic partnership with a US-based recycler to establish the first-of-its-kind sustainable waste-management facility. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to upcycle 100,000 tons of plastic waste by 2030.
