Argentina plastic recycling falls 11% in 2025

In 2025 Argentina processed more than 235,000 tonnes of plastic waste, but total recovery dropped 11% year‑on‑year to 235,352 tonnes. Mechanical recycling fell 15% to 198,025 tonnes, while energy recovery rose 23% to 37,327 tonnes, allowing the material to be used as fuel in cement kilns.

The share of domestically generated post‑consumer plastic that was recycled fell to 14.6% from 25.8% the previous year, and recycled plastic accounted for 12.44% of total national consumption, down from 16.66% in 2024. Analysts link the decline to reduced domestic consumption and volatile international market prices.

Verónica Ramos, executive director of Ecoplas, said the results highlight the need for policies such as a national extended‑producer‑responsibility law for packaging, improved infrastructure, logistics, integrated waste management, environmental education and source‑separation to create a virtuous recycling loop.