Global plastic recycling downturn

In mid‑2025 Argentina’s national plastic‑waste system recorded a drop of 11 % in total recovery, processing 235,352 tonnes of material. Mechanical recycling fell 15 % while energy recovery rose 23 %, and the share of post‑consumer plastic that was recycled fell from 25.8 % to 14.6 %. Industry leaders linked the decline to weaker domestic demand and volatile international prices, calling for stronger extended‑producer‑responsibility policies and better waste‑management infrastructure.

By the first half of 2026 an Austrian PET‑to‑PET recycling plant in Müllendorf reported a 7 % reduction in processed bottles compared with the same period in 2025, handling 17,101 tonnes. Executives cited persistent market pressure, with recycled PET still more expensive than virgin resin and the absence of mandatory recycled‑content quotas. The firm announced upgrades, including automation of wire removal and conversion of outdoor forklifts to electric drive, to cut costs and improve sustainability. Both cases illustrate a broader trend of declining recycling volumes amid price pressures, prompting calls for policy measures and operational investments to stabilize the sector.