Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
Critics say chemical recycling claims overstate recycled plastic content
The plastics industry is promoting chemical recycling as a way to deal with plastic waste, while critics say it can disguise incineration as recycling.
The process uses chemicals, heat or pressure to break plastic down, and the common method called pyrolysis turns it into oil.
Pyrolysis oil must be processed further before it can be used to make plastic, and the process requires energy.
Estimates cited in the story say only 0.1% to 6% of plastic put into pyrolysis becomes new plastic.
Critics say recycled-content labels can mislead because accounting methods may calculate an average across inputs and outputs rather than track the material in each product.
They also warn pyrolysis can produce more greenhouse gas emissions than making new plastic from crude oil, and can pose environmental and public health risks.
US and European policymakers have subsidised pyrolysis facilities, while scientists, conservationists and more than 75 nations have called for binding limits on plastic production.
Critics say plastic labels claiming recycled content can overstate how much recycled material products contain.
They argue that chemical recycling accounting may conceal the use of virgin plastic and make polluting incineration appear environmentally beneficial.
Chemical recycling facilities have produced relatively little recycled plastic, according to industry critics.
Estimates cited in the article suggest that 0.1 per cent to 6 per cent of plastic fed into pyrolysis can become new plastic.
A 2023 study found that making new plastic from plastic waste via pyrolysis releases more greenhouse gases than producing virgin plastic from crude oil.
- Who
- Critics of chemical recycling, including researcher Veena Singla, and the plastics industry.
- What
- Critics say accounting and marketing claims can overstate recycled plastic content and disguise environmental harms.
- When
- The article was published on 21 October 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Critics say pyrolysis produces little new plastic and can cause environmental and public health harms.
Critics
Plastics industry
Recycled-content claims
Critics
Critics say labels can lead consumers to believe products contain more recycled material than they do.
Plastics industry
The industry promotes chemical recycling technologies and products labelled with recycled-plastic content.
Role of chemical recycling
Critics
Critics say it is not an effective answer to plastic pollution and can rebrand polluting disposal methods.
Plastics industry
The industry pushes chemical recycling, also called advanced recycling, rather than limits on plastic production.
A study found that producing new plastic via pyrolysis releases more greenhouse gases than producing virgin plastic from crude oil.
Eco-Business published the article on chemical recycling claims and harms.
- Pyrolysis plastic-to-new-plastic estimates
- 0.1% to 6%
- Study publication year
- 2023
- Chemical recycling subsidies
- Tens of millions of dollars in the US and Europe
- Article publication date
- 21 October 2026
What people are saying
The pattern of plastic pollution disproportionately affecting marginalised communities continues with chemical recycling. It’s a pattern of environmental injustice.