# Global plastic waste management and recycling developments > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-plastic-waste-management-and-recycling-developments > Updated: 2026-08-20T07:29:20.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Global plastic recycling faces systemic hurdles, including economic competition from virgin plastics, infrastructure limitations, and the complexity of various polymers. Data from the OECD indicates that only approximately 9% of plastic waste was recycled in 2019, with nearly half being sent to landfills. Efforts to address these challenges include localized initiatives and technological advancements. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has launched a program to divert hard-to-recycle plastic films from landfills. Simultaneously, industrial developments are focusing on chemical recycling through pyrolysis, which breaks down difficult polymers into secondary resources like pyrolysis oil. Additionally, companies are introducing certified compostable films designed for industrial use to replace single-use polyethylene packaging. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-20: Plastic waste management advances through pyrolysis and compostable films New approaches to plastic waste include pyrolysis, which converts difficult-to-recycle polymers into fuel, and the development of heavy-duty compostable industrial films to replace polyethylene. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/plastic-waste-management-advances-through-pyrolysis-and-compostable-films ### 2026-08-18: Plastic recycling faces systemic hurdles and local solutions While global plastic recycling rates remain low due to economic and technical hurdles, UWM has launched a program to recycle plastic film, aiming to divert 10,000 pounds of waste from landfills annually. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/plastic-recycling-faces-systemic-hurdles-and-local-solutions --- Cite as: Global plastic waste management and recycling developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-plastic-waste-management-and-recycling-developments