Ecological and economical aspects of polymer recycling

Abstract

Recycling is considered to play an essential role in developing a sustainable economy. A restrictive environmental legislation has forced German economy into extensive recycling activities. Meanwhile, German society and German industry have more than six years of practical experience with recycling of postconsumer plastic waste from household packaging due to this legislative situation. It is time to critically evaluate the situation. This paper summarizes the development in Germany and tries to show ecological impacts based on a life‐cycle analysis and correlates these data with economical consequences.